Chiefs May Get Lucky With Perfect Travis Kelce Successor

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is back with his team for at least one more season, and that’s great news, after signing a one-year, $12 million deal with Andy Reid and company. So, the franchise has its star tight end for the 2026-27 season, but they still need to look to the future and snag an up-and-coming successor.

Well, the Chiefs got luck this year, because there are a collection of talented tight ends in the 2026 NFL draft. Even though the Kansas City Chiefs pick high in the draft, starting at No. 9, they’ll likely be able to wait to pick a tight end, too, because there are so many available good ones.

Kelce is starting his 14th season with the franchise. He’s 36 years old, so this is looking to be his final year in the NFL. Reid has been shaping a winning lineup for what will likely be Kelce’s final run, including bringing on Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.

So, what tight end will the Chiefs pick in the 2026 draft? We’ll find out when the event takes place from April 23 to 25, but before then, we can make a projection.

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Kansas City Chiefs Projected to Snag Travis Kelce Successor in 2026 NFL Draft at No. 40 Pick

One name keeps popping up in draft projects for the Chiefs when it comes to the tight end position, and that’s Eli Stowers out of Vanderbilt. In a Sunday, April 5 feature for FanSided, Cody Williams picks Stowers for the Chiefs as the team’s No. 40 selection.

“It feels as if this year’s NFL Draft could be chaotic with ground-moving trades and maneuvering, and that’s certainly reflected in our latest three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft projection,” he notes in the piece.”

For what it’s worth, he has the Chiefs trading up to No. 4 to get edge David Bailey of Texas Tech. “There’s some serious buzz about what the Titans could do with their Top 10 pick, but that buzz (specifically with Jeremiyah Love) suggests to me they’re a prime trade-back candidate. And that’s something the Chiefs could take full advantage of.”

But, regarding Stowers, he’s called “outstanding” in his NFL profile. Even though he’s not expected to go early in the draft, he has a glowing review.

“Stowers is an explosive quarterback convert with just three years at the tight end position,” the player’s NFL profile states. “He’s an excellent athlete with long arms but needs to keep filling out his frame.”

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Tight End is a ‘Natural Pass Catcher’ for the Chiefs

His NFL profile adds that Stowers is “a natural pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and massive run-after-catch talent. While his route-running and contested-catch ability need work, he excels at moving the chains on screens/short catches. He has the speed to threaten downfield against linebackers.”

Looking at the negative side, his run-blocking ceiling may be low, but, “his traits create above-average potential as a pass-catching ‘F’ tight end, fitting the growing trend of utilizing two- and three-tight-end sets more heavily.”

Back on Sunday, March 15, A to Z Sports also picked him for the Chiefs, with Kyle Crabbs predicting it. In that same feature, Crabbs also had the team using their No. 9 pick for Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami.

“The Chiefs simply sit on their hands and watch Rueben Bain Jr. fall into their lap after Kansas City’s first bad season in 15 years,” he stated. “The Chiefs haven’t shied away from rushers who lack length via George Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte. Bain Jr. is a top talent and would be an awesome ‘best player available’ pick here.”

Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson