The Chiefs are moving up eight spots in the draft. Kansas City has acquired pick No. 156 from the Steelers, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. In return, Pittsburgh will receive picks No. 164 and No. 226.
The Chiefs will use their upgraded pick on Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. This is the team’s fourth defensive selection through six picks.
Bassa is coming off four productive seasons at Oregon, where he collected 236 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three interceptions in 55 appearances. His standout 2023 campaign culminated in him earning Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP honors, and his slight step back in 2024 may have contributed to his fifth-round selection.
A former safety, Bassa mostly served as a Mike linebacker during his time with the Ducks. His leadership and versatility should help him stick around the NFL, and improved consistency could eventually lead to a starting gig.
He lands in a great spot in Kansas City, although he may have to wait a bit to play a significant role. Nick Bolton is entrenched as the MLB, with Cam Jones serving as the backup. Perhaps Bassa could emerge as the main backup by the end of the 2025 campaign, but he’ll temporarily compete with Cole Christiansen and Shaun Bradley for third-string reps.