The Kansas City Chiefs could find a replacement for Travis Kelce in next month’s NFL Draft, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Taylor Swift’s fiance is set to become a free agent next week, but while he has not committed to playing a 14th NFL season just yet, a number of reports claim Kelce is inclined to do so.
While they’re awaiting Kelce’s decision, the Chiefs are preparing for the draft, where they hold the ninth-overall pick after failing to reach the postseason during an injury-plagued 2025 season.
For weeks, many have projected the Chiefs will fill their gaping hole at running back with Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love. But Breer is now reporting the team is considering signing Seattle Seahawks running back, Super Bowl MVP and soon-to-be free agent Kenneth Walker III.
Not only would that deal preclude the Chiefs’ need for Love in the draft, but it would free up the team to take a number of other players.
Breer went on to name a few interesting candidates: Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is an impressive athlete with wide receiver speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash time) who some scouts see as a difficult matchup for opposing secondaries
Kelce has not indicated if he will return in 2026, but reports claim he’s inclined to do so
And Sadiq could be an option for Kansas City, regardless of what Kelce decides about 2026. Under head coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs have frequently relied on two-tight end formations.
What’s more, Sadiq played at Oregon alongside several other productive tight ends, including Jamari Johnson and current Los Angeles Rams star Terrance Ferguson.
Despite sharing targets with other notable players at the position, Sadiq was productive for the Ducks, catching 65 passes for 868 yards and 10 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Oregon.
He’s also an impressive athlete with wide receiver speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash time) who some scouts see as a difficult matchup for opposing secondaries.
And if they don’t take Sadiq at No. 9, there is an outside chance the Chiefs could pick him with the No. 29 pick in the first round, which Kansas City obtained from the Los Angeles Rams as part of the haul for cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Of course, for Sadiq to be available at No. 29, he would have to slide considerably in the first round. And several teams, including the Rams at No. 14, are rumored to have interest in the talented tight end from Idaho Falls.
