NFL.com Expert Reveals Why Chiefs Should Select Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq In NFL Draft

NFL.com Expert Reveals Why Chiefs Should Select Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq In NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs might be the most intriguing team as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.

They have two first-round picks, and they have a bunch of needs, which makes it a huge coin flip as to which player they will take at No. 9 overall.

Landing a top-tier wide receiver such as Ohio State's Carnell Tate or Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson would be fun. Drafting a top-tier edge rusher such as Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. is another idea, and even selecting Ohio State safety Caleby Downs or LSU CB Mansoor Delane makes sense given the secondary woes.

However, NFL.com expert Adam Rank has another idea. Rank had a new mock draft with a player each team should select, and he pegged Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq to the Chiefs at No. 9 overall.

Now, yes, Travis Kelce did sign a three-year deal, although it is more likely a one-year deal with an option for him to return, which would make 2026 his final season in the league. "I don’t expect Kansas City to draft this high again any time soon. I know you could play it safe, Chiefs, but let’s get a little dumb and dangerous. Because you’re the Chiefs and you can do it," Rank wrote.

The best part is that Sadiq will be given an opportunity to learn from one of the best tight ends to ever play the position, and he can do a number of things on the offense. "Let’s get creative here. You can line up Sadiq in the slot. He blocks. He’s tough. And Patrick Mahomes could use another big-bodied target," Rank added.

On the other hand, selecting a tight end in the top-10 is a rare sight, but Sadiq is undoubtedly the best in the position group in this class, and it's not much of a debate, either.

This would secure the tight end position for the future while also giving Mahomes and the Chiefs another pass-catcher, and they could still select a WR in the second or third rounds with plenty of options available once again in this class.

The question here is this: Do the Chiefs take Sadiq and pass on a glaring need at cornerback or edge rusher? It's an option, especially with Kansas City having pick No. 29 also in the first round.

For what it's worth, Rank has the Chiefs selecting Utah OL Caleb Lomu at No. 29, which would mean passing on a cornerback until the second or third rounds, which would be a bit of a surprise.