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The Kansas City Chiefs are being projected to snag an “outstanding” tight end who could eventually step in for Travis Kelce.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has officially signed one-year, $12 million deal with the franchise, and now, the team is set for the 2026-27 season. But, the Chiefs would be wise to invest in a tight end for the future of the franchise.
Kelce is entering his 14th season with the Chiefs. At 36 years old, it’s safe to say that this is likely his last year in the NFL, and moves such as bringing in Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the franchise shows head coach Andy Reid is serious about getting this team, including Kelce, back to the big game. If Kelce wants to go out on top, and he does, it’s already shaping up to be a top year for the franchise.
But, looking ahead, the Chiefs have been linked to a bevy of tight ends in the NFL draft. Now, the team is being projected to pick up an under-the-radar tight end in the 2026 draft to eventually help fill the void when Kelce leaves and, at the very least, add depth.
Kansas City Chiefs Could Grab Travis Kelce Successor in 2026 NFL Draft
In a Sunday, March 15 feature for A to Z Sports, Kyle Crabbs predicts what talented each NFL team will bring on during the 2026 NFL draft. He notes that as teams make free agency decisions, it’s becoming more apparent what holes are left to fill in their rosters.
For the Chiefs, he has them going with a defensive lineman, not a tight end, with their No. 9 pick in 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 says. “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.”
He also has the team going with cornerback Avieon Terrell out of Clemson early in the draft. “Take a bow, Kansas City,” he says. “You trade Trent McDuffie and see a number of other defensive backs leave this offseason and the turnaround is Alohi Gilman and Kader Kohou in free agency to go along with one of the twitchiest corners in the draft waiting on you at No. 29 after gobbling up Rueben Bain Jr. earlier in the first.”
But, with the team’s No. 40 pick, he has them getting a solid tight end in Eli Stowers of Vanderbilt.
Get to Know Potential Kansas City Chiefs Tight End
So, let’s get to know Stowers. He’s not one of the most talked-about players in the draft, but he’s called “outstanding” in his NFL profile.
“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.”
His 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.”
On the downside, his run-blocking ceiling may be low, however, “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.”
So, even if Stowers isn’t a name that you’re hearing a lot in draft talks, he’s worth getting on the Chief’s radar. One can never have too many solid tight ends, especially with the team’s main one likely leaving after the 2026-27 season.
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
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