Kansas City sent New England picks No. 233 and No. 243 to…
Kansas City sent New England picks No. 233 and No. 243 to move up to No. 198 and select Kahlil McKenzie. Kansas City surrendered two seventh-round picks to move up for Kahlil McKenzie, a college defensive lineman the Chiefs converted to guard. McKenzie never became a regular-season contributor for Kansas City. New England used one acquired pick on Keion Crossen, who contributed on special teams and later brought additional value in a trade, while the other pick was moved again. The Patriots realized more.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- pick 2018 6th round pick (198th overall, Kahlil McKenzie )
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2018 7th round pick (233rd overall subsequently traded, Jordan Mailata )
- pick 2018 7th round pick (243rd overall, Keion Crossen )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Kansas City sent New England picks No. 233 and No. 243 to move up to No. 198 and select Kahlil McKenzie. Kansas City was willing to consolidate two seventh-rounders for a developmental lineman with unusual athletic traits. New England preferred two late swings. Because the Chiefs' experiment did not produce regular-season value and the Patriots got both playing time and later trade value from Crossen, the small deal separated over time.
Why the Value Moved
Kansas City surrendered two seventh-round picks to move up for Kahlil McKenzie, a college defensive lineman the Chiefs converted to guard. McKenzie never became a regular-season contributor for Kansas City. New England used one acquired pick on Keion Crossen, who contributed on special teams and later brought additional value in a trade, while the other pick was moved again. The Patriots realized more.
How the Trade Aged
The trade aged in favor of New England Patriots because the most meaningful contribution came from that side of the exchange. The original draft-slot gap was only part of the equation; durability, starting value, postseason usefulness and any follow-on value matter more once the careers are known. The losing side still received something useful in most cases here, but not enough to erase the difference in realized impact.
Why This Trade Still Matters
This trade is a useful reminder that draft charts and announcement-day reactions cannot settle a verdict. A move up can be justified when the targeted player becomes a long-term starter, while a move down can win when extra selections create more total contribution. The fairest historical view follows what the clubs actually received and how long that value lasted.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win. The grades are Kansas City Chiefs D+, New England Patriots B-. The winning grade reflects the stronger realized football return, while the lower mark recognizes that the other club still acted within a defensible roster or draft strategy at the time.