The Kansas City Chiefs aren't used to drafting in the upper half of the NFL draft's first round, but that will change in April. After a playoff-less season, the Chiefs will have the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, allowing them to find the next big star to help quarterback Patrick Mahomes get back to the mountaintop.
Over the past day or so, Oregon star tight end Kenyon Sadiq has drawn some buzz as a potential top-10 selection after ESPN reported that he will declare for the upcoming draft. With Travis Kelce potentially walking away from the game, the Chiefs might be tempted to take Sadiq.
Despite the potential that the Ducks' playmaker oozes, though, drafting Sadiq shouldn't be a priority for the Chiefs in April.
Chiefs Need Best Player Available at No. 9, Not Kenyon Sadiq
There's no doubt that Sadiq is the best tight end in this class, and we've already seen what Mahomes can do with a high-end pass-catching tight end. The impressive playmaker registered career-highs when it came to catches (51), receiving yards (560), and touchdowns (eight) in 14 games with the Ducks this season, resulting in his being named the Big Ten Tight End of the Year.
Additionally, the NFL saw rookie tight ends like Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren emerge as primary weapons right out of the gate this season, so there could be some recency bias in this copycat league.
That being said, adding an elite tight end isn't going to solve all of the issues with this team. The Chiefs desperately need help in the offensive line, and they could use that selection to get someone like Utah's Spencer Fano. They also need help in the pass rush, and guys like Texas Tech's David Bailey or even Miami (FL)'s Rueben Bain Jr. might be available. They might also set their sights on guys like USC wideout Makai Lemon or Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love if any of them are still on the board.
The Chiefs aren't used to being in this position, and if they don't use such a valuable pick to address a big need, they must use it to get the best player available. As good a prospect as Sadiq is, chances are that he's not going to be the best player available at No. 9. Also, the Chiefs will have Picks No. 40 and No. 74, so they could still address the tight end position in Day 2 with players like Max Klare, Jack Endries, and Eli Stowers projected to go in that range.
Kelce has yet to make up his mind about his future. Even if he decides to run it back for one final year, the Chiefs will have to target someone else to fill that void sooner rather than later. That being said, a new TE won't turn Kansas City back into an automatic Super Bowl contender, further proving why the flawed Chiefs roster could benefit from whoever the best player available is at No. 9.