Just on the horizon of the football calendar, the 2026 NFL Draft is finally visible. After months of discussions about scheme fits and prospect grades, the discussions surrounding each team's first-round selections have narrowed in on a few options.
The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to choose between a receiver and the top defensive player available. Names like Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate, his teammate and safety Caleb Downs, and Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain Jr. have become popular pairings with Kansas City in mock drafts.
ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. just shook that discussion up with an unorthodox pick. In a recent mock draft, he had the Chiefs take Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the ninth overall pick.
Chiefs take Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq in ESPN's latest mock draft
Sadiq is one of the most electric players in the 2026 class. He can jump through the roof and has the speed to outrun almost any linebacker in the league, all while bringing some pop as a run blocker. It wouldn't be shocking at all to see him come off the board in the top fifteen picks later this month.
But if the Chiefs take him, the league might just erupt.
Kiper addresses the Travis Kelce question, saying, "Yes, Travis Kelce is back in Kansas City. But he's turning 37 next season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes needs playmakers in this offense. Sadiq is as explosive and versatile as they come."
The argument that the Chiefs need a long-term replacement for Travis Kelce is sound. As productive as he was in 2025, the superstar tight end won't be around forever. But this team can't afford to make decisions based on what might happen in 2027. The Chiefs are nearing the end of the championship window that the current roster has opened. Without a player who can make an immediate impact, they could lose their best shot at another Super Bowl run before the season even starts.
Not only do the Chiefs not have a pressing need at tight end, they do have needs at other positions. A dynamic pass rusher, a versatile defensive back, or a reliable receiver could shift the outlook of the season. A tight end like Sadiq wouldn't make the same difference, at least not in 2026.
As instrumental as the tight end position has been for Kansas City over the last decade, it wouldn't be shocking to see the team address the position in the upcoming draft. Still, they should stick to other positions in the first round.