Getting set for the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs are in a rare position. It’s been quite a while since Kansas City has picked inside the top 10, but here we are.

The Chiefs are in prime position to do something big, whether or not they move up or down from that no. 9 overall selection. And, if you asked ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, one idea could really send some shockwaves throughout the league.

In his latest column, Barnwell has the idea that Kansas City could move all the way up to the no. 2 overall spot, presumably, to snag Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey:

“At No. 9, the Chiefs could stay put and hope that one of those players at premium positions like wide receiver or edge rusher fall to them. Armed with extra draft capital from the Trent McDuffie trade, though, this might be an opportunity for general manager Brett Veach to go big.

“I wouldn’t want to sacrifice that No. 29 pick altogether, but if the Chiefs can use that to move up and then land another Day 2 pick as part of a deal, it might give them a chance at the sort of pass-rushing prospect they wouldn’t normally see at the bottom of Round 1, such as Texas Tech’s David Bailey. Drafting a player out of Tech didn’t go too poorly the last time the Chiefs tried it, right?”

The Kansas City Chiefs getting David Bailey is a pipe dream, but … never say never

First off, let’s look at the proposed deal. Essentially, Barnwell is proposing the Chiefs trade no. 29 and no. 9 to the New York Jets in exchange for the no. 2 overall pick and, most likely, a third rounder.

That might not even be enough for the Jets, but we’ll have to see.

On the Chiefs’ side, it’s a huge gamble but could be worthwhile if it means getting the best pass rusher in this class, in Bailey. Last year, the Texas Tech product notched a whopping 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss, in total.

Getting a brand-new defensive cornerstone like Bailey would set this defense up for years to come while someone like Chris Jones is on the tail end of his career.

It would be yet another move by the Chiefs that sends a clear message. Just like when they signed running back Kenneth Walker III in free agency, this would be one of those “Oh s***” moments for the rest of the league.

Kansas City may be awaiting the return of Patrick Mahomes from an ACL tear, and it could linger into the early stages of the regular season, but when he’s back … oh, boy.

When he’s back, he could be returning to a team not only with a star running back, but a premier pass rusher on the other side of the ball.

Chiefs fans know this all too well: Mahomes has put them on his back for too long, now. It is time the Chiefs start giving this team additional weapons at specific positions.

It seems like a dream scenario, but what if Brett Veach decided to go all-in on a move like this?

One could only imagine the rest of the league thinking: “Uh oh.”

Yep, “uh oh” is right.