The NFLPA announced its second annual Players’ All-Pro team, and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce made the first team.
NFL Players Association announced its second annual Players’ All-Pro team: pic.twitter.com/5Y3kO4jbty
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2024
This selection comes as a surprise to many as Kelce and the Chiefs are in the midst of a down year. Kelce had under 1000 yards receiving for the first time since 2015.
Kelce’s five receiving touchdowns are the lowest he’s had since 2019. There were six other NFL tight ends with more receiving touchdowns than Kelce. Kelce only eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice this year as a receiver.
There is an argument to be made that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce deserves the spot
It is important to mention Kelce chose to sit out in the week 18 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was sitting at 984 receiving yards on the season, and that extra game could have pushed him over that 1,000-yard mark.
The week 18 game against the Chargers also could have given him the most receiving yards for a tight end as he needed just 36 yards to catch San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, who finished with 1,020 receiving yards.
Kelce, who played in just 15 games this year, was third in receptions among tight ends with 93. Despite not being at the top in total receiving yards, Kelce led all tight ends with 65.6 receiving yards per game. His best game came against the Chargers when Kelce had 12 receptions and 179 yards receiving.
Chargers middle looked tired and as usual this year, bad pursuit angles as Travis Kelce gets the GWer pic.twitter.com/cdO3WuFeEB
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) December 17, 2021
In an article from the USA Today Chiefs Wire, a veteran NFL scout explained why Kelce is able to remain at the top of the list of tight ends year in and year out.
“He has that Steph Curry thing, like, how long can be he an All-Pro? He ages well because his game is not predicated on speed,” they said.
Several other tight ends have a case for the All-Pro spot over Travis Kelce
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has an argument to be in that first-team Players’ All-Pro spot. Kittle led tight ends in receiving yards, and was tied for second in touchdowns. Kittle’s 15.7 yards per reception was also the highest of any tight end.
Kittle’s game also extends beyond his role in the passing game. Kittle is known for his blocking ability that comes with his professed love for blocking.
George Kittle’s blocking is sensational 😮💨pic.twitter.com/exJfHLs8hk
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) December 4, 2023
George Kittle casually blocking two guys at once on Deebo Samuel’s 17-yard run pic.twitter.com/ehVm03coIC
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) January 1, 2024
Another tight end that had a case for the first-team Players’ All-Pro spot was Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson, who played 15 games just like Kelce, had more receptions than Kelce with the same amount of touchdowns.
The main difference between Hockenson and Kelce, is that Hockenson produced these numbers with four different quarterbacks. Kelce had one of the best quarterbacks in the league throwing to him, while Hockenson had Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens throwing him the ball.
[Highlight] Hockenson continues to cook the 49ers defense. #nfl #skol #fttb #niners #sfvsmin pic.twitter.com/VokNIDnYG6
— NFL Podcast Club (@PetKutie) October 24, 2023
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is another player with an argument to be considered the best tight end in football. LaPorta led all tight ends in touchdowns by a wide margin with 10 receiving touchdowns on the year. The No. 2 spot had six touchdowns, meaning LaPorta almost doubled the next best tight end. LaPorta did double Kelce’s touchdown total.
LaPorta’s 86 receptions were good for fourth among tight ends. Like Kittle and Hockenson, LaPorta was competing with several other high-end players for touches.
🔥 Jared Goff burned Denver’s defense with the help of rookies Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta! [Translated]
23/34, 278 Yards, 5 Touchdowns@JaredGoff16 | @Lions | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/Fmxc21cU4E
— NFL France (@NFLFrance) December 17, 2023
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