Draft season rarely begins on stage, it starts in quiet meeting rooms. The Kansas City Chiefs have scheduled a top-30 visit with Oscar Delp as they evaluate tight end depth ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. With nine total picks this year, Kansas City is using every available tool to refine its board and plan for the future for when Travis Kelce eventually retires.
Top-30 visits are a critical part of the pre-draft process. They allow teams to bring prospects into their facilities for medical evaluations, film study sessions, and direct conversations with coaches and executives.
For Kansas City, Delp represents a potential long-term investment at a key position.
The former Georgia Bulldogs tight end stands at 6-foot-5 and offers a blend of size, athleticism, and pass-catching ability that aligns with the Chiefs‘ offensive identity.
He becomes the third confirmed visit for Kansas City, following meetings with Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks and San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson.
A succession plan beyond Travis Kelce?
One of the biggest factors driving this evaluation is the future of Travis Kelce.
While still productive, Kelce is entering the later stages of his career, and the Chiefs are widely expected to begin planning for life after their All-Pro tight end.
Delp, currently projected as a Day 3 pick, could develop under Kelce‘s guidance – a path that has proven valuable for young players in Kansas City‘s system.
The franchise has a long history at the position, from Kelce to Tony Gonzalez, making it an attractive destination for any incoming tight end.
From a scouting perspective, Delp checks several boxes. He has the speed to challenge linebackers in coverage and the size to create mismatches against smaller defenders.
His hands and catch radius make him a reliable target, particularly in contested situations.
Coaches are also intrigued by his physicality in the run game – an area where Kansas City has looked to improve. With a stronger ground attack becoming a priority, a tight end who can block effectively adds extra value.
The Chiefs are in a transitional phase at certain positions, even while remaining contenders.
Why picking the next TE is crucial
Drafting and developing talent behind established stars is essential to sustaining success. Tight end is one of the clearest examples, given Kelce‘s importance to the offense over the past decade.
By hosting Delp, Kansas City is not just evaluating a player, it’s exploring a potential future piece of its offensive core.
The Chiefs will continue scheduling visits and finalizing their draft board in the coming weeks.
For Delp, the meeting represents an opportunity to prove he fits both the system and the culture – two factors that often determine draft decisions as much as talent.
If selected, he could begin his NFL journey in a familiar role: learning behind one of the greatest tight ends in league history, while preparing to eventually take the spotlight.
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