As Travis Kelce's future looms, a new mock draft points to a dynamic Oregon tight end as Kansas City's first-round solution.
Whether or not Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce retires after this season remains to be seen. Following the game on Christmas Day against the Denver Broncos, Kelce continued to avoid the question and just discussed his focus on finishing the season.
It wouldn't be surprising to see Kelce hang it up after this season, but who knows what the future Hall of Famer decides to do.
But, at some point, the Chiefs need to start thinking of finding a replacement for Kelce. In a new mock draft by Ayrton Ostly of USA Today, he had the Chiefs doing just that. His mock had Kansas City selecting Oregon Ducks star Kenyon Sadiq in the first round.
Here's what he wrote:
"The Chiefs' offense lacks a dynamic weapon in the passing game. If they're not going to invest in the running game, Sadiq is the best gift we could give the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes at this point of the first round. He's an impressive vertical threat and just 20 years old with plenty of room to develop into a top tight end in the league."
Sadiq does a lot of things well on the football field, and he can be a solid fit for the Chiefs.
He is far and away regarded as the best tight end in the upcoming draft class. However, the Chiefs could also target a running back, and Notre Dame star and Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love has commonly been projected to the Chiefs in the first round as well.
Some aren't all the way on board with a tight end going in the first round, especially with the way things have gone for Kansas City lately.
But, with Kelce either walking away after this season, or perhaps playing one more season (we have no idea here at all what he does), the Chiefs would be smart to select a tight end.
The draft isn't until April, and there should be a decision by Kelce by the time the draft rolls around, so that could influence this pick in one way or another.
The Chiefs offensively have some young pass-catchers, including Rashee Rice, and adding a young, versatile and athletic tight end to the fold would be a smart move in the long run.
Only time will tell, but until there is any firm decision from Kelce, tight ends will be an area of need for Kansas City in 2026 and beyond.