The Kansas City Chiefs could be in the market for a blocking tight end as Noah Gray steps into a larger role as a pass catcher. Adding more depth and talent to the tight end room is a reasonable next step for the Chiefs as Travis Kelce enters the twilight of his career.
Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey is the son of a former All-Pro left tackle. He’s put together a quality college career despite suffering a season-ending leg injury in 2023 and playing in Iowa’s archaic passing offense. Lachey’s frame is thick and has room to add more mass and round into a full-time in-line option.
Lachey releases off the line with enough speed to pull linebackers up the seam. His understanding of route concepts and leverage mimics past Hawkeye tight ends. Lachey knows how to stem his routes to manipulate defenders and create openings to break into. He finds and sits in the soft holes versus zone coverage.
Lachey lacks the speed and elusiveness to create much after the catch but moves the chains at a high rate. He’s a natural hands catcher who makes adjustments for poor throws that require him to elevate or get low. Lachey is comfortable making catches with defenders in his face because of his impressive concentration at the catch point.
Lachey blocks with a stout base and good contact balance to hold his ground against power rushes. He displaces outside linebackers with his leg drive and opens run lanes through the C-gap. Linebackers struggle to anchor against his power. Lachey projects as a mid-Day 3 prospect.
The Hawkeyes welcome Northwestern to Kinnick Stadium on October 26 at 2:30 p.m. Lachey matches up well against the Wildcats and could author his most productive game of the season.
