Chiefs add TE intel ahead of Draft

Kansas City has added North Carolina State tight end Justin Joly to its pre-draft evaluation list as the Chiefs keep working through pass-catching options before the April 23 draft. (heavy.com) The reported meeting surfaced through league reporter Arye Pulli and was later detailed by Chiefs outlets tracking the club’s top-30 visits. Arrowhead Pride reported the Chiefs hosted Joly on a top-30 visit ahead of the 2026 National Football League Draft in Pittsburgh. (heavy.com) (arrowheadpride.com) Joly is a 6-foot-3 tight end who played at Connecticut before transferring to North Carolina State, and he finished his college career with 166 catches, 1,978 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. In 2025, he posted 49 receptions, 489 yards, and seven touchdowns for the Wolfpack. (heavy.com) (espn.com) The visit fits a broader Kansas City draft setup. The Chiefs currently hold nine picks, including No. 9 and No. 29 in the first round, giving them room to address starters early and depth later. (chiefs.com) Tight end is part of that longer-range planning even after Travis Kelce decided to return for a 14th National Football League season. National Football League Media reported on March 9 that Kelce agreed to a one-year deal worth $12 million, with incentives that can push it to $15 million. (nfl.com) Kansas City’s interest in Joly points to a specific type of prospect: a receiving tight end who can line up off the line of scrimmage, run routes, and stress linebackers and safeties in space. Heavy, citing Dane Brugler’s draft guide, described Joly as a versatile pass catcher and a “move” tight end rather than a classic in-line blocker. (heavy.com) That profile matches Joly’s production at North Carolina State. The school lists him as the team leader in receiving yards in 2024 with 661 on 43 catches, after he broke out earlier at Connecticut with 56 receptions in 2023. (gopack.com) (espn.com) The Chiefs are not the only team spending time on him. Reports this week also linked Joly to visits with the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and Denver Broncos. (heavy.com) (titanswire.usatoday.com) A top-30 visit does not lock in a pick, and teams use them on first-rounders, late-rounders, and undrafted targets alike. For Kansas City, the Joly meeting looks like one more data point in a draft cycle where the club has extra picks, an aging star at tight end, and a reason to keep looking past opening night. (arrowheadpride.com) (chiefs.com)