One NFL Draft Trade Proposal Has Chiefs Landing Travis Kelce Replacement From Lions

One NFL Draft Trade Proposal Has Chiefs Landing Travis Kelce Replacement From Lions

The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a lot of pressure to hit some home runs.

They have picks No. 9 and No. 29 overall, so they have an opportunity to come out of this with two premier playmakers, and they aim to address multiple areas of need, with cornerback and edge rusher being some key ones to fill.

On the other hand, the Chiefs have commonly been linked to Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 9, and although Travis Kelce is back for most likely one final season, landing his future replacement isn't a bad idea.

Meanwhile, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports had one player each AFC team should trade for during the draft, and he proposed a deal where Kansas City lands Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta.

In his proposal, the Chiefs move down to No. 17 and the Lions move up to No. 9 and Kansas City also gives Detroit a 2027 conditional fourth-round pick to take on LaPorta.

"But Kelce is 36, not what he once was, and could be in the last season of his Hall of Fame career. LaPorta is coming off back surgery, heading into the last year of his contract and may get squeezed out in Detroit, where the Lions have a lot of young players to sign," Vacchaino wrote.

LaPorta, who played college football with the Iowa Hawkeyes, is coming off back surgery, but he was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

He had 86 catches for 889 yards with 10 touchdowns as a rookie, but he took a step back in 2024 with 60 receptions for 726 yards and just one score.

LaPorta's potential is obvious, and there's a reason he went in the second round.

Now, can you imagine Kelce working with LaPorta for one season before No. 87 heads off to retirement?

The Chiefs' offense took a hit with Isiah Pacheco and Hollywood Brown leaving, and there is talk of selecting a wide receiver at No. 9, especially if Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson are still on the board.

On the other hand, Kansas City has to address the tight end position at some point, and doing it this year would allow whoever it is to learn from one of the greatest to ever play the position, and potentially set them up well for the future.