2025 NFL Draft: Can Mason Taylor fill Travis Kelce’s shoes in Kansas City?

With Travis Kelce’s future uncertain, the Kansas City Chiefs may need to find their next star tight end, and LSU’s Mason Taylor could be the perfect fit.

The Chiefs could be facing a massive void this offseason if their star tight end decides to retire. The ten-time Pro Bowler has been the team’s go-to target for nearly a decade, leading the Chiefs in targets in eight of the last nine seasons. Kelce’s career has been nothing short of legendary—he ranks third all-time in career receptions (1,004) and receiving yards (12,151) among tight ends, while also leading all active players in regular-season receptions, with 229 more than the next closest tight end.

However, as remarkable as his career has been, Kelce has shown signs of slowing down. His 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2024 were both career lows, and he has now fallen short of 1,000 receiving yards in consecutive seasons after previously recording seven straight 1,000-yard campaigns. On film, he hasn’t displayed the same level of explosiveness, struggling at times to create separation. With his contract set to expire after the 2025 season and a significant $11.5 million roster bonus due on March 15, the possibility of retirement looms.

If Kelce does call it a career, the Chiefs will need a plan to replace his production. Backup tight end Noah Gray had his best season in 2024, recording 40 catches for 437 yards and five touchdowns, but he lacks the dynamic playmaking ability that has made Kelce so valuable. The team also has Jared Wiley, a 2024 fourth-round pick, though he managed just one reception in his rookie season.

Mason Taylor could be a steal

To find a true difference-maker at the position, Kansas City may have to look to the 2025 NFL Draft. One intriguing prospect who could be available in the late second or early third round is LSU’s Mason Taylor. The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, Mason holds LSU’s all-time records for tight end receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,308). He has quietly emerged as one of the most well-rounded tight ends in the draft, and I’ve given him a first-round grade—meaning the Chiefs would be getting an absolute steal if they land him with either the 63rd or 66th overall pick.

What stands out most about Taylor is his athleticism. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, he possesses impressive agility and the ability to make tough catches in traffic, hauling in 50% of his contested targets. He also brings a vertical element to the passing game, something neither Gray nor Wiley currently offers. His hands are also among the best in the class, with just one drop all season.

While Taylor will need to refine his in-line blocking, that shouldn’t be a major issue for Kansas City. The Chiefs have other tight ends who can handle blocking duties, and Kelce himself was used in an in-line role only 33% of the time last season. Taylor’s ability to line up in the slot and create mismatches would allow the Chiefs to maintain the dynamic element Kelce brought to their offense.

With his combination of size, athleticism, and playmaking ability, Mason Taylor would be an excellent fit for the Chiefs and a strong candidate to carry on Kelce’s legacy.