The Kansas City Chiefs have been planning and preparing for the end of Travis Kelce’s historic run with the team for quite some time. The final piece might be coming into place in the 2025 NFL Draft with the potential selection of tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

Fannin recently told Kay Adams of Up & Adams that he had a series of pre-draft visits slated in the coming days, including a trip to Arrowhead to spend time with the Chiefs.

Fannin, a lauded prospect out of Bowling Green, comes to the NFL with loads of production after leading the MAC and the nation with 111 catches and 1,555 receiving yards to go with 10 touchdowns. His marks in receptions and yards were new FBS highs for a tight end in a single season.

Tight end could be covered for years to come for the Chiefs with the potential selection of Harold Fannin Jr.

As for his pro potential, Fannin’s smaller size will keep him in a lower tier on draft boards than the likes of Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren (and others), but as a versatile and proven pass catcher, he is an ideal fit for a creative head coach like Andy Reid.

The Chiefs will never be able to replace Kelce as a player and figure—either on or off the field. That said, the team has done an excellent job of providing the offense with a solid floor in advance of the eventual moment that Kelce will decide he’s done playing the game after establishing new levels of excellence at the position.

Backup tight end Noah Gray was already offered a three-year extension before the 2024 season to provide a second reliable option at the present position and a bridge for the future to run through 2026. Gray has served as an impressive target in the passing game, but he has the upside to step into a lead role if necessary.

That said, the Chiefs also invested a mid-round pick in Jared Wiley out of TCU in the 2024 NFL Draft to give themselves an upside play going forward. However, a season-ending injury robbed both Wiley and the Chiefs of any chance to showcase what he might be capable of there.

Kelce is back for another year, but it seems most likely that retirement is in the works beyond 2025. Given the scenario, it makes sense that the Chiefs are checking out Fannin, who could provide a third producer on the depth chart following the potential departure of Kelce from the game.

Given Fannin’s promise, Wiley’s potential, and Gray’s production, the Chiefs would be in an envious position at tight end for years to come—and that would be even after (possibly) losing the greatest player to ever play the position.