Travis Kelce is No. 1. Who’s next? Let’s forecast the Chiefs’ tight ends depth chart
The most productive pass-catching tight end in football resides in Kansas City. Been that way for awhile now. At least according to the numbers.
Travis Kelce led all tight ends in receptions (97) and yards (1,229) in 2019. He turned 65 of his 97 catches into first downs, a dozen more than anyone else in the league. He’s caught 200 passes over the last two years combined. Recorded four straight 1,000-yard seasons and six straight of 850 or more.
This is all to say: There isn’t much mystery about how the top of the Chiefs’ tight ends depth chart will look at the end of training camp.
But there’s some intrigue afterward. The Star continues its training camp preview with a focus on the tight ends, a position that head coach Andy Reid has been fond of utilizing during his career.
Current roster
Nick Keizer, Travis Kelce, Ricky Seals-Jones, Deon Yelder
Key battle
Who’s after Kelce?
The Chiefs used two tight-end sets on 33% of their snaps last year, according to Sharps Football. And if you think the formations are dead giveaways for running plays, well, the numbers indicate otherwise. In “Tiger Personnel,” as Reid dubs it, the Chiefs actually passed the ball more often than they handed it to a back. In other words, the No. 2 guy gets plenty of opportunity.
So, who will it be?
Nick Keizer, Ricky Seals-Jones and Deon Yelder all figure to be provided the chance to take hold of the spot vacated by Blake Bell, who signed a free agent deal with the Cowboys during the offseason. Bell played 397 snaps last year. That’s no small amount.
Keizer was a standout in the 2019 preseason before landing on the practice squad. Yelder occupied the third tight end role, catching three passes for 50 yards. He saw just 47 offensive plays.
Seals-Jones, who joined Kansas City on a free-agent pact after spending last season with Cleveland, holds the most accomplished resume of the three. He’s likely to lead the battle as training camp enters its Phase Two this week, though his ability to contribute on special teams will be a key factor in the coaching staff’s decision. Bell played 209 special teams snaps a year ago; Seals-Jones has played just 62 in the past two years combined.
Still, he’s an interesting option in the passing game. Quick for the position, Seals-Jones has 60 catches and eight touchdowns in three career seasons. In two of those three, he’s topped 16 yards per catch. With all of the Chiefs’ weaponry in the passing game, his ability to win one-on-one matchups should be alluring.
Who to watch
Keizer.
He didn’t make the 2019 active roster — and therefore spent the year on the Chiefs practice squad — but he was a standout in the team’s preseason finale, catching five passes, including a touchdown. In a game in which the Chiefs played primarily backups, Keizer finished as the offense’s highest-graded player, per Pro Football Focus.
If there’s one player who can throw a wrench into the depth chart, it’s Keizer.
Previous installments, and remaining schedule, for our two-week Chiefs training camp preview series:
Monday: Quarterbacks: We know who No. 1 is, but what about the backups?
Tuesday: The defensive line: It will be a strength again.
Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sizing up the running backs depth chart
Thursday, Aug. 6: At linebacker, Hitchens anchors the corps
Friday, Aug. 7: Plenty of targets for Patrick Mahomes at WR
Monday, Aug. 10: After Ward, Chiefs have corner questions
Tuesday, Aug. 11: Among the tight ends, it’s Kelce and ...
Wednesday, Aug. 12: Safeties’ success starts with Honey Badger
Thursday, Aug. 13: Chiefs’ offensive line has some holes to fill
Friday, Aug. 14: special teams
This story was originally published August 11, 2020 at 5:00 AM.