With the NFL trade deadline rapidly approaching on November 4, 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at 4-3 and in need of reinforcements at several key positions. While the defense has improved throughout October, injuries and inconsistency have exposed depth concerns at defensive tackle, offensive line, and running back. General Manager Brett Veach faces a delicate balance: staying aggressive without overextending a tight salary cap that sits around $3 million in available space.
Here are five realistic trade targets that could push the Chiefs back toward Super Bowl form.
Breece Hall, RB – New York Jets
The Chiefs’ biggest offensive need remains at running back. Patrick Mahomes has been forced to shoulder too much of the ground game, and the team hasn’t had a true home-run threat from the backfield since prime Kareem Hunt. Breece Hall could change that immediately. The 24-year-old Jet is a versatile dual-threat runner averaging over five yards per carry while contributing big plays in the passing game. His blend of patience, burst, and vision would give Andy Reid’s offense the explosive balance it currently lacks.
Hall’s rookie contract makes him a perfect financial fit, with a cap hit just over $4 million for the season. Kansas City could add him without major restructuring—something that makes this trade both realistic and high-impact.
Shelby Harris, DT – Cleveland Browns
Depth behind Chris Jones has become a major concern after rookie Omarr Norman-Lott’s season-ending injury. Shelby Harris, the veteran interior lineman for the Browns, is a plug-and-play answer who could help shore up Kansas City’s run defense. Harris is a savvy veteran with solid gap control and familiarity with AFC West offenses from his years in Denver. He wouldn’t be asked to start every snap but could provide immediate leadership and rotational stability.
Financially, Harris’s $3 million cap hit fits comfortably within Kansas City’s budget. A late-round Day 3 pick might be enough to bring him aboard —a low-cost, high-value move for a playoff-bound team.
Jeffery Simmons, DT – Tennessee Titans
If the Chiefs want to make a blockbuster move, Jeffery Simmons would headline the wish list. The Titans’ two-time All-Pro is one of the league’s premier interior disruptors—a perfect complement to Jones that would instantly give Kansas City the most feared defensive tackle duo in football. Simmons’s power and agility make him practically unblockable in one-on-one situations, forcing opposing offenses to adjust protections constantly.
The issue is cost. Simmons carries a cap hit nearing $23 million this season, which would require significant restructuring of other contracts or salary retention by Tennessee. Talent-wise, this would be seismic for the defensive front; financially, it’s nearly impossible unless the Chiefs pull off major cap gymnastics.
Sebastian Joseph-Day, DT – Tennessee Titans
If Kansas City can’t afford Simmons, they could still raid Tennessee’s defensive line for depth. Sebastian Joseph-Day is a stout, experienced interior presence who excels against the run and brings Super Bowl pedigree from his time with the Rams. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable and scheme-fit as a rotational nose tackle. The Chiefs could use him as an early-down run anchor and situational interior defender alongside Jones.
Joseph-Day comes at a digestible price—roughly $3–4 million for the remainder of the season—and would be far easier to fit under the cap than Simmons. A mid-round pick would likely do the trick.
Rico Dowdle, RB – Carolina Panthers
Carolina’s Rico Dowdle is one of the league’s quiet breakout stories. After years as a backup in Dallas, Dowdle has erupted for multiple 200-yard performances this season with the Panthers. He’s a decisive, powerful runner who finishes runs and brings energy every down. Pairing him with Isiah Pacheco would give Kansas City one of the most physical backfield tandems in the AFC.
Dowdle’s one-year, $2.75 million deal makes him extremely appealing financially. The Chiefs could take on his salary with minimal cap adjustment, and Carolina might part ways for a late-round pick as they eye a rebuild.
Final Thoughts
Among these candidates, Shelby Harris and Rico Dowdle stand out as most realistic for cap flexibility and immediate impact. Breece Hall offers the highest upside if Veach wants to swing big but stay within fiscal reason. Jeffery Simmons and Sebastian Joseph-Day represent top-tier options for revamping the defensive front, though Simmons would require a financial miracle to land.
The window is still wide open for Kansas City. A well-timed addition before November 4 could turn a talented but thin roster into a serious Super Bowl contender once again.