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Chiefs Predicted to Take Travis Kelce Replacement in Mock NFL Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Mar 15, 2026 10:34 AM ET

One of the biggest storylines of the 2026 NFL offseason was whether Kansas City Chiefs legendary tight end Travis Kelce would continue to play or retire.

The 36-year-old will turn 37 during the upcoming season. He has accumulated a total of 13,002 yards and 82 touchdowns in what is almost certainly a Hall of Fame career. Last season, he led the team with 851 yards and tied for the team lead with five touchdowns. After some consideration, he decided to return for his 14th season by signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs.

Since it is a one-year contract, it is likely that this will be his last season with the Chiefs. Consequently, the team is expected to seek his future replacement in the 2026 NFL Draft. According to Kyle Crabbs from A to Z Sports, he predicts that the Chiefs will select Eli Stowers, a tight end from the Vanderbilt Commodores, in the second round of the draft.

Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Eli Stowers (9).Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The highly regarded tight end is considered one of the best in this draft class. Throughout his career, he accumulated 1,773 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He received first-team All-SEC honors and was named a third-team All-American. Several ESPN draft experts rank him as the second-best tight end in the draft, following the Oregon Ducks' Kenyon Sadiq.

If the Chiefs select Stowers in the 2026 NFL Draft, the move could represent the first step in preparing for life after Kelce. The veteran tight end has been the centerpiece of Kansas City’s passing attack for more than a decade.

Adding a young tight end like Stowers would give Kansas City an opportunity to gradually transition at the position. Stowers built an impressive résumé at Vanderbilt, establishing himself as one of the top tight ends in the draft class. Developing a player with his skill set behind Kelce could allow the Chiefs to maintain stability at a position that has long been crucial to the success of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Looking ahead, Kelce’s decision to return for another season gives Kansas City one more year with one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history. However, the franchise will inevitably need to plan for the future, and the 2026 NFL Draft could provide the opportunity to do just that. The draft begins April 23 in Pittsburgh, where the Chiefs could take an important step toward shaping the next era of their offense.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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