There was a period when the Kansas City Chiefs were going to the playoffs with an established veteran in Alex Smith behind center.
But in 2017, the franchise made the bold move to take a fast-rising quarterback from Texas Tech at No. 10 in the NFL Draft. In revisiting that class, how were the Chiefs able to land Patrick Mahomes?
The Deal That Got Patrick Mahomes to Kansas City
Prior to April 27, the Chiefs held the No. 27 pick in Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, were slotted at No. 10.
The record-breaking Mahomes was emerging as a potential top-20 pick but not necessarily in the top 10. He was originally predicted by B/R to fall to the Cleveland Browns at No. 12.
MORE: Patrick Mahomes’ Contract Details, Salary Cap Impact, Bonuses, and Net Worth
Nevertheless, Kansas City was in need of their quarterback of the future, with Smith heading towards his 33rd birthday. Turns out they became enamored with Mahomes — persuading them to make a deal with the Bills.
But as Mahomes added during his appearance on New Heights with teammate Travis Kelce and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, he helped convince the Chiefs to trade up.
“I kind of gave a little inside info to the Chiefs,” Mahomes explained in his December 2022 interview. “I was like, ‘If y’all let me go 12 or below, I’m gonna get drafted by someone else.’ So, I gave the Chiefs a little bit of info on that because I wanted to be here.”
Kansas City moved up 17 spots to nab the 10th overall spot from Buffalo. That decision has now led to the following:
- Mahomes shattered the franchise record for season passing yards with 5,250 in 2022.
- Mahomes earned two NFL Most Valuable Player awards, a Chiefs record.
- The Chiefs have been led to three Super Bowl appearances since the 2019 campaign and won two titles with Mahomes at quarterback.
As for the team that could’ve taken Mahomes at No. 10, who did they end up with?
Who Did the Buffalo Bills Get From the Chiefs Trade?
With pick Nos. 27 and 91 overall, plus a 2018 first-rounder now in their possession, Buffalo was gifted its chance to build the roster with three presents from the Chiefs.
So what did the Bills do with the two additional picks for 2017 courtesy of Kansas City?
Buffalo went with defensive help by getting cornerback Tre’Davious White out of LSU at 27. White ended up becoming an established Pro Bowler in Buffalo’s defense. He’s earned two trips to the league’s all-star event and, in his first four seasons, snatched 15 interceptions.
As for their extra pick obtained in the back of Round 3, Buffalo opted to move the pick to the Los Angeles Rams in a trade-up to select WR Zay Jones at No. 37 overall.
Buffalo Gets Its QB in 2018
Yes, Buffalo missed its chance of getting a future two-time Super Bowl winner by trading down. But, in 2018, the Bills moved up in a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from No. 12 overall to No. 7 to select Josh Allen out of Wyoming.
Since that decision, Buffalo has made four consecutive AFC playoff runs with Allen controlling the offense. Allen and Mahomes have been mentioned among the league’s echelon of quarterbacks.
Turns out it became a win-win for both K.C. and Buffalo. Both teams ended up with their faces of the future. But for the Chiefs, it came at the expense of helping seal Smith’s fate by adding their future franchise changer in Mahomes.
