Travis Kelce has clearly stated his expectations for the Kansas City Chiefs’ upcoming picks in this week’s NFL Draft.

The NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Pittsburgh, presenting the Chiefs with a crucial opportunity to rebuild their roster after a season that fell short of expectations.

The Chiefs did not qualify for the playoffs, marking a surprising halt to their NFL dominance, which had seen them make four Super Bowl appearances over the previous five years.

Recently, Kelce put an end to retirement rumors by signing a new contract with the Chiefs. This follows his summer marriage to fiancée Taylor Swift, further solidifying his commitment to the team.

Now, the 36-year-old veteran is voicing his hopes for the new draft picks, emphasizing what he believes they should bring to the team next season.

During a conversation on the podcast New Heights with his brother Jason, Kelce shared, “I’m just hoping for a guy that loves ball, man. After a season like last year, you want guys who truly love what they’re doing when they return to the building.”

Travis Kelce has outlined what he expects from any player picked by the Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs endured a miserable season last year, missing the playoffs and losing 11 games

‘I think it’s one of the things that I look for in these young guys when they come in. How infectious is your energy? I need that out of these young guys, man.

‘Sometimes it takes a little bit for a guy to get comfortable in his shoes and really, like, show his personality. But coach (Andy) Reid says it best. We want you to show that personality. Want you to be yourself and bring the energy to the building, to the everyday grind that we can just go and unleash out on Sundays.

‘I think it’s one of the biggest things I’m looking forward to in seeing who we’re going to go and draft this year is how much energy and how much fun they’re bringing to the squad.’

The upside of the Chiefs’ disappointing season is general manager Brett Veach has two picks in the first round on Thursday night and nine total selections over the three days. The No. 9 pick is their first top-10 pick since 2013.

The Chiefs need reinforcements at both wide receiver, edge rusher and cornerback. 

Another dilemma for the Chiefs heading into the new NFL season is the knee injury suffered by quarterback Patrick Mahomes on December 14.

Mahomes was present for the start of the Chiefs’ offseason program Monday, which was another important milestone as the two-time NFL MVP tries to recover from torn knee ligaments in time for the beginning of next season.

Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee in the final minutes of a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, which effectively eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention.

Mahomes soon had surgery in Dallas with noted orthopedist Dr. Dan Cooper, and the rehabilitation began almost immediately back in Kansas City, where he has been working all offseason.

Kelce, who will marry Taylor Swift this summer, recently posed for a shoot in Central Park

‘So he goes to the meetings. He can lift, do all that. Rehab. That’s the phase he’s in right now,’ Reid said.

‘We’ll just see. Kind of play it by ear. See where he’s at. He’s doing great, but we’ve just got to be smart with this thing.’

Mahomes previously told local reporters that ‘that’s the goal, to play Week 1 and have no restrictions.’

The Chiefs last month added some insurance should Mahomes need a couple of extra weeks, sending the New York Jets a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft for Justin Fields. They also picked up $7million of his guaranteed $10m salary.

The 27-year-old Fields signed a two-year, $40m deal – with $30m guaranteed – with the Jets last March, and he was the starter for most of the season until getting benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor in Week 12.

He didn’t play another game for the Jets, ending the season by being placed on injured reserve in late December with a knee injury. Still, Fields is an experienced starter in the NFL, and he is expected to at least give the Chiefs a chance to win should he need to start any games.