Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is typically regarded as one of the best at the TE position. Kelce is coming off of a season where he earned his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl nod. It still appears that he possess that elite TE capability heading into the 2022 season.
This article will begin a series here on Gridiron Heroics where I analyze key players on NFL teams before the regular season. The player can be on the offensive or defensive side, even special teams. Without further delay here is the player preview of the Chiefs TE.
Record Breaking Talent: Travis Kelce Statistics Breakdown
Travis Kelce has either been first or second in receiving yards amongst tight ends in the NFL since 2016. This may be thanks to the staggering yards per reception that Kelce consistently averages each season. To put it simply, every time Kelce touches the football he averages a first down.
It is almost inevitable that Kelce will perform on a similar level this year as compared to previous seasons. The TE has had over 100 targets for the Chiefs seven out of the eight years that he’s spent in Kansas City. These targets come at the risk of knowing that he is being marked at all times on the field. Still, the TE continues to be the primary target for his QB.
One of the more impressive stats that aren’t at the forefront of the media is Kelce’s durability. The lifelong Chiefs TE has only missed two games ever since his first season as a starter. The sort of reliability that he brings to the organization on the field begins here, in terms of staying healthy and showing up.
Superman and Batman: Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes as a Duo
Arguably the strongest quarterback and tight end duo in the NFL, Kelce and Mahomes have been irreplaceable to each other. According to Statmuse, Travis Kelce can contribute over half of his career yards, touchdowns and receptions to Patrick Mahomes. This pairing was a match made in heaven for the Kansas City Chiefs since they acquired Mahomes.
The strength of this duo will be tested this season, after the well documented move of Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. Some analysts believe that the Chiefs will perform better, such as ClutchPoints writer Tim Capurso. Capurso believes that Mahomes will have something to prove in his first season without Hill, and that motivational factor will also help Kelce.
Natural Athlete: Final Preview
At the end of the day Kelce will continue to excel at what he does. He’s going to turn a five yard slant into a 30 yard gain. He’s going to lineup in the wildcat on the goal line at some point. The things that Kelce can do have become his trademarks and continue to work. Whether these things continue to work within an offense featuring plenty of personnel changes will remain to be seen. What will most likely continue to be a trend is the dynamite play of Travis Kelce, on pace to becoming one of the greatest to do it at his position.
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