Life after Travis Kelce won’t be easy for the Kansas City Chiefs. With the future Hall of Famer edging closer to retirement, the team must start looking for a successor. According to some analysts, the perfect candidate may be hidden in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Discussions about the Chiefs’ star’s retirement are not new. For at least two years, fans and media have been counting down the days. Kelce himself recently pushed the countdown back by confirming his return for next season, aiming to retire with a Super Bowl ring-a goal that eluded him after the Chiefs’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February.
However, everyone-from the front office to the fans-understands this is only a temporary reprieve. Sooner rather than later, Kelce will leave the gridiron for good. With that in mind, analyst Joel Klatt has spotlighted a prospect whose trajectory mirrors Kelce’s rise to prominence in the 2013 Draft.
Who is Luke Lachey?
“How about a guy I think, middle of the draft, maybe late in the draft, could be a good steal at tight end?” Klatt speculated on a recent episode of his podcast, The Joel Klatt Show. He was referring to Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey, the son of NFL legend Jim Lachey.
“Lachey is a really good player, and he’s got this Iowa bloodline as it relates to the tight end position,” Klatt noted. “We’ve seen guys like this go to the NFL and succeed time and time again,” he added, referencing Iowa alumni such as George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Noah Fant-all of whom have excelled at the professional level.
Klatt’s praise wasn’t limited to Lachey’s collegiate résumé. “He did at Iowa exactly what they’ll ask him to do in the NFL,” the analyst continued. “He’s a good route runner. I like his ability at the catch point. He needs to stay healthy, but if he does, I think he can be a solid contributor at the next level.”
The Chiefs are paying attention
Initially projected as a third- or fourth-round pick after the NCAA season, Lachey’s stock soared following an impressive performance at the Scouting Combine, elevating him to early second-round contention. His showing at Iowa’s Pro Days further enhanced his profile, drawing bold predictions from analysts.
While Klatt suggested that the Chiefs could wait to select Lachey with their second-round pick, Draft Countdown’s Miranda Wilhelm speculated that Kansas City might use their 31st overall selection to secure the promising tight end.
With the draft a month away and free agency in full swing, the Chiefs’ front office likely has a clear vision of which positions they’ll address with collegiate talent. Will Luke Lachey be part of those plans? And if so, could he be a first-round selection? Answers will arrive on April 24.
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