TheKansas City Chiefs are facing a massive decision after their first playoff miss since 2017. LosingPatrick Mahomes to a torn ACL tanked their season and left the roster exposed.
Now the franchise holds the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It is a rare top ten spot for a team used to picking at the very end.
Former Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel is losing his mind over one specific prospect. He wants Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq to be the heir to theTravis Kelce throne.
Chiefs star Travis Kelce
Oct 27, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
“I can’t stop imagining Kenyon Sadiq landing at 9 with the Chiefs & immediately lining up with Patrick Mahomes,” Danielwrote on X. “Stop it. My brain can’t handle this.”
I can’t stop imagining Kenyon Sadiq landing at 9 to the Chiefs & immediately lining up with Patrick Mahomes.
Stop it. My brain can’t handle this
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) April 6, 2026
Sadiq is a freak athlete who clocked a record 4.39 second 40 yard dash at the combine. He dominated the 2025 season with 51 catches for 560 yards and eight scores.
Those eight touchdowns led every tight end in the country last year. He did all that while being named a Mackey Award finalist despite dealing with nagging injury issues.
Drafting a tight end that high is a bold move for GM Brett Veach. Most teams look for quarterbacks or edge rushers in the top ten spots of the draft.
But Kelce is 36 and retirement is knocking at the door. Mahomes needs a reliable weapon to help him bounce back from his devastating knee injury next season.
Peter Schrager predicts potential Chiefs trade back for asset collection
Not everyone thinks the Chiefs will stay at nine to grab a pass catcher. ESPN analyst Peter Schrager suggests the front office might move down the board instead.
“At nine, Kansas City, which I can tell you could potentially be a trade-back team, to be honest,” Schrager said on theSchrager Hour podcast. “I think Kansas City is looking to collect as many assets as possible.”
.@PSchrags “Kansas City, could potentially be a trade back team to be honest. I think Kansas City is looking to collect as many assets as possible”
Via the Schrager Hour. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/Oj9RKauISS
— SleeperChiefs (@SleeperChiefsKC) April 8, 2026
Schrager notes the Chiefs usually avoid drafting in the top ten. Trading back would allow them to fix multiple holes on a defense that missed the postseason.
One wild rumor involves a deal with the Minnesota Vikings for Jonathan Greenard. That swap would move the Chiefs down to the eighteenth pick in the first round.
Adding Greenard would provide an immediate boost to a pass rush that lacked teeth last year. The veteran defender has the talent to produce over 10 sacks in this system.
Kansas City must decide between a blue chip prospect like Sadiq or veteran help. The choice will define how the final years of the Mahomes era actually look.