Chiefs' ideal draft fit sees Patrick Mahomes get star weapon

Apr 7, 2026 - 04:00

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Patrick Mahomes (left) and Travis Kelce (right) — Getty Images

Chiefs' ideal draft fit sees Patrick Mahomes get star weapon originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs are beginning a soft reset of the roster after missing out on the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.

We have seen the Chiefs move on from two star corners in Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie, bringing in another first-round draft pick, plus the addition of Kenneth Walker will see the run game be feared by defenses.

But the Chiefs, with two first-round picks, have the chance to seriously boost their roster by getting starters for 2026. However, with players' futures, like Travis Kelce, in doubt past 2026, maybe having an eye on the future is also in play.

And for NFL.com's Next Gen Stats Research Analyst James Reber, the Chiefs' ideal team fit in the draft is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

"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," Reber wrote. "Sadiq’s reputation suggests he will be one of the NFL’s best tight ends deep downfield."

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Chiefs getting Sadiq an ideal move

Having Kelce in the building, if the Chiefs did manage to get Sadiq, what that could mean for his rookie season could be great.

Having the chance to learn from one of the best tight ends ever over the course of the year, to then potentially take over the starting role, is perhaps the best course of action.

Sadiq would likely be used sparingly in 2026, getting his feet wet in the NFL, while learning from Kelce. It could accelerate his development so he can hit the ground running in 2027.

Sadiq's athletic prowess and deep vertical threat would give the Chiefs another superb weapon for Mahomes, and this isn't the first time Sadiq has been linked with the Chiefs.

There's no such thing as "perfect" in the NFL, but Sadiq on the Chiefs is pretty close.