Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce was rightfully crowned as the league’s top tight end in Touchdown Wire’s annual positional rankings.
Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield recently scribed a piece counting down the top-12 tight ends in the league heading into the 2022 NFL season. Using film study and statistical analysis, he came to the conclusion that Kelce was the No. 1 tight end in the league. It all starts with Kelce’s six-year stretch of production that is unlike any the NFL has seen at his position, but it also takes into account the fact that he has shown no signs of slowing down.
Here’s a look at what Schofield had to say about Kelce:
“Travis Kelce’s six year stretch of production at the tight end position is a marvel. For each of the past seasons, he has caught more than 80 passes for over 1,000 yards and at least four touchdowns. Last year was no exception. Despite all the woes from early in the year about the Kansas City Chiefs offense, Kelce caught another 92 passes for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns.
Just an incredible string of production from him, and it shows no sign of slowing down.”
Perhaps the biggest thing that kept Kelce from the top spot of ESPN’s recent tight end rankings was his perceived ability as a blocker. They went so far as to say that George Kittle (who was ranked No. 1 over Kelce) would, “always have the blocking advantage over him.” That might be true, but Kelce is no slouch as a blocker either, which was recognized in Touchdown Wire’s rankings.
“Now, the knock on Kelce was always that he was not a “complete” tight end, and that he was not the blocker that players like Mark Andrews and George Kittle are. But to his credit, Kelce has become a more consistent blocker for the Chiefs over the past few years. . .”
We highly encourage you to visit Touchdown Wire’s article and check out some of the film clips shared. Not only do they lend credit to Kelce’s generational talent as a pass-catcher, but they show proof that he’s more than capable as a blocker as well.
