The Kansas City Chiefs are hours away from selecting in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They are one of the most unpredictable teams of the first round. Kansas City is slated to pick at N0. 9 and 29 overall, but could trade up or down out of either pick.
There are a variety of different positions the Chiefs could choose from, with edge rusher, offensive tackle, and cornerback being their consensus top needs. However, wide receiver, safety, and tight end can’t be fully ruled out either.
Kansas City Chiefs predicted to take TE Kenyon Sadiq with No. 9 overall pick
GettyOregon Ducks TE Kenyon Sadiq
While naming his 10 bold predictions for the first round of the draft, Mike Kadlick of Sports Illustrated has the Chiefs taking Sadiq with their ninth overall selection, citing that it would be wise to get out ahead of replacing Travis Kelce.
“All signs are pointing to 2026 being tight end Travis Kelce’s last season, so why not draft his successor in the first round? The Chiefs’ ’25 season can be categorized as catastrophic at best. Not only did they fail to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2014, but arguably the league’s player in quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury that could impact the beginning of the upcoming campaign. That said, it also landed them the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft, and with Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq—a tight end who, like Kelce, has elite traits as a pass-catcher—likely to still be on the board, it would make all the sense in the world for Kansas City to bring in their next weapon for Mahomes and Andy Reid to work with.”
Sadiq is considered the top tight end prospect in this year’s draft. He is already a polished route runner and possesses elite athletic traits. Sadiq set the combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash time by a tight end at 4.39 seconds. Last year at Oregon, he recorded 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns.
Drafting Sadiq would solve a future need, but it would be more of a luxury pick for the 2026 season. With the Chiefs having so many other holes throughout their roster to solve, taking Sadiq at No. 9 would be a bit controversial. Sadiq did recently meet with the Kansas City brass on a top-30 visit, so there is likely a level of interest there.
Will 2026 Be Travis Kelce’s Last Season With Chiefs?
GettyChiefs TE Travis Kelce
Kelce signed a three-year, $57.7 million contract extension in March, however it is actually structured more as a one-year deal, as it will be renegotiated if he decides to return again in 2027. He briefly mulled over retirement for the second consecutive offseason, but will return for a 14th season with the Chiefs in 2026.
Given that retirement has been on his mind to some degree over the past two years, there is a significant chance that he calls it a career after this season. If the Chiefs do draft Sadiq, the two would make a dynamic duo, and Sadiq could keep Kelce fresh during the grind of the season. Kelce would likely relish the opportunity to mentor Sadiq and help in his development.
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