3. Travis Kelce: And three are left. As I always say, there are some guys who are regulars on this project and this player is becoming just that. The Kansas City offense travels through him and even before Mahomes became the starting the Quarterback, he was still putting up some big numbers. He’s an energy guy and his team feeds off of that. I’d consider him the heart and soul of the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s another year with Travis Kelce on the list! He is my third best player in the league and of course, the top-rated Tight End entering this upcoming season. This is actually his first time making the top five and he’s the highest-ranked Tight End ever on this list.
I’ve used this quote once before and I feel it’s appropriate to use it once again. In the words of Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, what more can I say? He’s been nothing but great these last few seasons. Travis has such an amazing football IQ and from a physical standpoint, he knows how to use his body as that shield. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him drop a pass. That’s how good his hands are. Travis knows how to read coverages and knows how to sit in the zone when teams sag off him. I’ve been watching him for years and I always see how fluid he is to get open and free himself. He has an outstanding ability to change directions which fool whoever is guarding him. Travis combines his athleticism and IQ. I’ve always referred to him as the “Dirk Nowitzki” of the NFL. Just as the Hall of Fame basketball player was a big shooting the ball, Travis does the things Wide Receivers do in the body of a Tight End. He can set defenders up in front of him and keep them guessing with his movements. One thing he does better than many Tight Ends I’ve seen is he fakes as if he’s blocking, then he’s free and open to make a catch and gets the ball. He’s become one of the best red zone threats in the league. I said this all throughout last year, why don’t teams elect to double him? We all know he is getting the football! Fellow Tight End Dawson Knox refers to him as the Picasso of route running because he’s able to improvise and lure defenders off the spot of the release.
Travis is the model of consistency playing his position. He’s one of the greatest that I’ve seen to play Tight End and the Chiefs have been blessed to see greatness with Tony Gonzalez for years and now with Travis Kelce. He’s an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team all pro selection and two-time Super Bowl champion. Travis is also the only Tight End to record seven consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards receiving. Enjoy the greatness you’re seeing right now.