ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. thinks the Kansas City Chiefs will draft Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
On Wednesday, Tyson envisioned a world in which that happens.
“I’ve been a big, big, huge fan of Travis Kelce my whole life,” Tyson told reporters. “I feel like he’s the best tight end to ever play, so that would be amazing.”
A new episode of “New Heights” dropped on Wednesday, and Kelce admitted that he knows who the Chiefs are planning to draft. “They tell me everything,” he said.
While the three-time Super Bowl champion couldn’t reveal who will soon become a Chief, he did share what he’s looking for in his new teammates.
“I’m just hoping for a guy that loves ball, man,” Kelce said. “I think one of the things that you just want to have when you get back into the building after a season like last year, man, you just want guys that love what they’re [expletive] doing. I think it’s one of the things that I look for in these young guys when they come in, is just how infectious is your energy? I need that out of these young guys.”
Kelce added, “Sometimes, it takes a little bit for a guy to get comfortable in his shoes and to really show his personality, but Coach [Andy] Reid says it best: We want you to show that personality. We want you to be yourself and bring the energy to the building.”
Despite rumors of his impending retirement, Kelce signed a new contract to return to the Chiefs for his 14th season in 2026.
The Chiefs had a miserable 2025. After reaching three straight Super Bowls, winning back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, Kansas City faltered and missed the playoffs entirely at 6-11. Two-time NFL MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in the process.
Kansas City’s 6-11 record earned them the No. 9 overall pick — their highest selection since trading up to draft Mahomes at No. 10 overall in 2017. The Chiefs acquired the No. 29 overall pick from the Los Angeles Rams, one of four draft picks the Rams sent Kansas City in exchange for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The Chiefs’ most obvious needs are at cornerback, edge rusher, and wide receiver. But only Kelce and the rest of the organization know for certain which direction Kansas City will go in the first round. The rest of us will find out in less than 24 hours.