Six teams advanced to the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night with two selections in the opening round. That includes the Kansas City Chiefs, who have the ninth and 29th picks in the first round. Still, that doesn't mean all six teams will end the night with two new prospects, including the Chiefs.
Recently, John Breech of CBS Sports suggested that the Chiefs could use one of those options to trade for a long-term replacement for Travis Kelce. Specifically, Breech evaluated why the Chiefs should offer the 29th overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Kyle Pitts.
"On the Chiefs' side, if they were to acquire Pitts, he would serve as Travis Kelce's successor," Breech wrote. "The Chiefs' star tight end recently signed for his 14th season in Kansas City, but at age 36, it's hard to see him playing past the 2026 season. If the Chiefs add Pitts, it would give Patrick Mahomes an almost unfair advantage in the passing game."
Pitts is set to play the season on the franchise tag, which many players don't like. If the Falcons don't commit to a long-term extension for the fourth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, perhaps Pitts would prefer a change of scenery. Plus, who wouldn't want to get a pass from a future Hall of Famer like Patrick Mahomes?
The Falcons do not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and no selections until No. 48. Perhaps they would be open to trading the former 1,000-yard tight end, especially if it nets them a first-round pick. Meanwhile, the Chiefs may feel like Pitts, who is coming off a 928-yard, five-touchdown season, and is still just 25, is better than anyone they could find at 29.
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