Chiefs trade down to pick Ohio State national champion in NFL Draft first round

Billy Heyen

Chiefs trade down to pick Ohio State national champion in NFL Draft first round image

The Chiefs picked No. 32 overall each of the past two years.

On Thursday night in the first round, they were slated to pick at No. 31 after losing the Super Bowl.

But a slight trade down with the Eagles got the Chiefs back in the 32nd slot.

The full details:

Eagles receive: No. 31 pick

Chiefs receive: No. 32 pick, No. 164 pick

After the Eagles took Jihaad Campbell at 31, the Chiefs locked in Ohio State's offensive tackle Josh Simmons at No. 32.

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Simmons started his college career at San Diego State before starring at Ohio State in 2023.

Injury kept Simmons out of the Buckeyes' national title run.

"Without the injury, he would've been a top-10 pick," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said on the draft broadcast.

It's a brilliant pick by the Chiefs.

They need someone to protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side. 

Normally, a player with Simmons' talent doesn't slide to the Chiefs. But this is different because of the injury. 

Yes, the risk is increased, but so is the reward. 

Mahomes will need protecting for a long time still in K.C. Simmons might be the guy to do so.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle