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By Andrew McCarty
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Travis Kelce signed a new contract with the Kansas City Chiefs that could pay him as much as $57 million, but more than likely just acts as a one-year, $12 million deal with $3 million in incentives.
Kelce hauled in 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns in 2025, leading Kansas City in all three categories. It marked his 12th consecutive season with at least 800 receiving yards, matching Jerry Rice for the longest streak of any player in NFL history.
While he's coming back for the 2026 season, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr believes the Chiefs should target Kelce's eventual replacement in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
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Kiper, along with ESPN analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates, produced a new three-round mock draft that has the Chiefs picking former Oregon star Kenyon Sadiq with the No. 9 overall pick in the draft.
"Yes, Travis Kelce is back in Kansas City. But he's turning 37 next season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes needs playmakers in this offense. Sadiq is as explosive and versatile as they come," Kiper said while explaining the pick.
During the NFL Combine, Sadiq recorded a 4.39-second 40-yard dash (98th percentile all time for tight ends), a 43.5-inch vertical jump (99th percentile) and an 11-foot-1 broad jump (98th percentile).
"Versatility is huge, being able to create explosive pass plays, but also being able to run the ball," Sadiq said. "It creates a lot of mismatches on the defensive side, whether they're nickel or base or whatever it is.
"So, I think if you have a great tight end or a couple great tight ends, it really helps out your offense as a whole."
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