With the 2025 NFL Draft just three weeks away, teams are finalizing their strategies, and mock drafts are reflecting the heightened anticipation with bold trade scenarios. ESPN’s Field Yates has introduced a particularly intriguing trade, involving a rare intra-divisional deal between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Proposed Las Vegas Raiders Draft Day Trade Nets 2 First Round Picks
Yates’ mock draft proposes the Raiders trade their second-round pick (37th overall) and an early third-round pick (68th overall) to the Chiefs in exchange for the 31st overall pick and a late third-round pick (95th overall). This trade effectively allows the Raiders to move up six spots into the first round, while the Chiefs gain a roughly 30-spot advantage in the middle rounds.
With the acquired first-round pick, the Raiders draft Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III. “He was dominant in 2023, when he had 1,212 receiving yards, including 710 after the catch,” Yates wrote. “He had a modest 2024 (676 yards), but his explosiveness and power with the ball in his hands give him game-changing ability.” This selection, combined with their earlier pick of Ashton Jeanty, significantly strengthens the Raiders’ offense, providing Geno Smith with dynamic playmakers alongside Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers.
The Chiefs also appear to benefit from this trade. With the 37th overall pick, they select Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons. “Simmons is coming off a torn patellar tendon, which is the only reason he is even in this range,” Yates explained. “If healthy, he would be long gone by the second round — and he still might go much sooner than this.” The Chiefs’ free-agent signing of Jaylon Moore provides them with flexibility to integrate Simmons gradually. Additionally, they select Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson with their original second-round pick.
Furthermore, the Chiefs gain a substantial advantage in the third round, moving up approximately 30 spots.
While this trade appears advantageous for both teams on paper, it’s worth noting that intra-divisional trades of this magnitude are relatively uncommon. The potential for both teams to improve significantly within the same division adds a unique layer of intrigue to this scenario.