Getty Images
Everyone loves a sleeper, and tight end Travis Kelce is quickly becoming a hot topic in the fantasy football community.
I know it is only the preseason, but it is important to keep an eye on everything involved with the NFL until the actual start of regular season games. Not every piece of news is important, but this is the time where you are going to hear about rookies shining in practice and potential chemistry issues. With Kelce shining early, fantasy football players will want to pay attention any time his name makes the news.
While quarterback Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs ranked 24th in passing yards in 2013, that doesn’t mean Smith was unable to provide fantasy relevance to his teammates. Smith is known for his love of pass-catching running backs and tight ends, and Jamaal Charles was one of the biggest benefactors of Smith’s preference. Even though Charles was the Chiefs’ leader in receiving yards, that didn’t mean that the tight ends weren’t a valuable addition in the passing game. Tight ends Sean McGrath and Anthony Fasano combined for 49 receptions, 502 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. With the loss of Dexter McCluster, there will be now be 53 additional receptions up for grabs.
Kelce will have to jump ahead of Fasano on the depth chart, but at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he should quickly insert himself as a major part of the offense. He has been complemented on his blocking skills, and that will allow him to see the field often. He lost his chance to shine last year due to an injury, but 2014 should be our first glimpse of a potential tight end superstar. You shouldn’t rely on him as a starter, but you could draft him late and let him develop on your bench.
While Kelce isn’t a household name, you should keep an eye on him on draft day.
Jack Delaney is a fantasy football writer for www.Rantsports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @jackbmore13, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
