Chiefs Prepare for Draft Amid Kelce Uncertainty
The Kansas City Chiefs hold the ninth overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft after missing the postseason in an injury-riddled 2025 campaign. With tight end Travis Kelce approaching free agency next week, the team explores options to bolster its roster, even as reports suggest Kelce leans toward a 14th NFL season.
Free Agency Focus: Kenneth Walker III
Recent projections highlight Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love as a potential target to address Kansas City’s backfield needs. However, sources indicate the Chiefs consider signing Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, a Super Bowl MVP and impending free agent. Securing Walker would shift draft priorities, opening opportunities at other positions.
Prime Draft Targets Emerge
Key prospects on the Chiefs’ radar include Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq stands out as a versatile athlete with elite speed, clocking a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, making him a tough matchup for defenses.
Sadiq’s College Production and Fit
Over his final two seasons at Oregon, Sadiq recorded 65 receptions for 868 yards and 10 touchdowns, thriving alongside teammates like Jamari Johnson and Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson. Head coach Andy Reid frequently deploys two-tight end sets, positioning Sadiq as a strong complement or successor to Kelce regardless of his decision.
The Chiefs could select Sadiq at No. 9 or wait until their No. 29 first-round pick, acquired from the Rams in the Trent McDuffie trade. A slide to 29 seems possible, though teams like the Rams at No. 14 express interest in the Idaho Falls native.
