17. Travis Kelce
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Position: TE
Experience: 6 Years
Travis Kelce was drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs with the 63rd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The third rounder was placed on IR before he got to play in a regular season game due to a bone bruise that required a microfracture procedure. Kelce missed his entire rookie year, but since has remained relatively injury-free throughout his 6 year tenure.
In Kelce’s first real season as a Chief, he caught 67 balls for 862 yards and 5 TDs. He continued to improve his totals over the next three years as he became Alex Smith’s favorite target. He made his first Pro-Bowl in 2015 and he hasn’t missed one since. Kelce took Gronk’s spot as the league’s best TE in 2016, as Kelce received his first All-Pro recognition.
Coming into 2018, the league was sleeping on Patrick Mahomes. Little did everyone know that the Mahomes-Kelce duo would become one of the best in the NFL. Kelce had a career year with Mahomes behind center, as he reached new career highs in almost every statistical category. His first 100 reception season, over 1300 yards, and double digit TDs with 10. Kelce has always had big play ability, it is just finally being displayed due to the abilities of Patrick Mahomes.
The connection between the two will only get stronger over time. During the offseason, video clips surfaced of Kelce and Mahomes establishing a bond off the field, as the two were seen drinking and dancing together at a wedding. The cameras also caught their sheer excitement when they first saw each other at the training camp. The bromance being formed is a scary sight for opposing teams, as the two have such a natural rapport that translates to the field.
Kelce is easily the top TE in the game today and his rank on the SneakerReporter Top 30 justifies it. Expect another 100 reception, 1000 yard and 10 TD season from Kelce, and that’s just the floor of his capabilities. Kelce can really do it all on the field. He has elite athleticism and coordination for someone so powerful. Really his only knock is that his emotions get the best of him from time to time.
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