Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, a blazing-fast tight end, could be the Kansas City Chiefs' future cornerstone, ready to learn from a legend.
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most interesting teams in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs have picks at No. 9 and No. 29, and with plenty of holes on the defense, it is a golden opportunity for them to address some needs with some talented, young playmakers.
On the other hand, there is a scenario where the Chiefs select a wide receiver at No. 9, with options such as Ohio State's Carnell Tate or Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, although it looks likely that Tate will be selected before Kansas City is on the clock.
James Reber, a Next Gen Stats Research Analyst for NFL.com, used some tools to compile an ideal fit for some teams in the first round.
And, Reber had Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq as an ideal fit at No. 9 overall.
Now, Travis Kelce is back on a three-year deal, although it really is a one-year deal given the way it is structured, and it seems unlikely that Kelce plays anything more than one final season.
"After an eye-opening combine workout, during which he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, Sadiq boasts the third-highest NGS overall draft score (93) of any prospect in this class. Even with Travis Kelce returning for a 14th season, it could be wise to put this athletic pass catcher in position to shadow an all-time great and become a cornerstone target for Patrick Mahomes. Sadiq’s reputation suggests he will be one of the NFL’s best tight ends deep downfield," Reber wrote.
Sadiq's pre-draft process has solidified his standing as the best tight end in the class, and there is a likely scenario where he is the only tight end selected in the first round.
Now, you might think that selecting a tight end in the top-10 is a bit of a luxury for the Chiefs with Kelce still around, but being able to groom Sadiq with Kelce teaching him could set things up very well for the future.
Plus, the Chiefs need another pass-catcher, and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy might be able to get creative using Kelce and Sadiq together in some packages.
Kelce isn't much of a downfield threat anymore, either, and with Hollywood Brown signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, there is a need to add a pass-catcher who can stretch the field, and Sadiq is able to do that a bit.
Again, there are other areas of need, but if Tyson and Tate are off the board here, it might be hard to pass on Sadiq.