Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Preview: Tight ends could play biggest role of the Andy Reid era in 2024
Our Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp positional preview series continues today with the tight ends. Future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce has anchored the position for K.C. over the last decade and will lead the way again in 2024. However, this year it seems like there is a real possibility that the Chiefs could work […]
Our Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp positional preview series continues today with the tight ends.
Future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce has anchored the position for K.C. over the last decade and will lead the way again in 2024. However, this year it seems like there is a real possibility that the Chiefs could work some other tight ends into the offense more than they have during Kelce's career.
Noah Gray has been a solid No. 2 TE for the last couple of years and set a career-high in receiving yards and touchdowns last season. The Chiefs spent a fourth-round pick on Jared Wiley this past offseason, who is making strong first impressions on the coaching staff. K.C. also brought in veteran Irv Smith Jr., who has over 100 career receptions and 10 touchdowns.
Let's have an in-depth look at what the TE position will look like for the Chiefs in 2024.
Chiefs TE overview ahead of training camp
Who is the expected starter:
Travis Kelce
What the depth behind Kelce could like:
The Chiefs only kept three TEs on the roster last year but have kept four in past seasons. Given the talent they have at the position this year and the uncertainty at wide receiver, keeping four TEs is very plausible. Kelce, Gray, Wiley and Smith are the logical choices, with rookie Baylor Cupp and second-year man Gerrit Prince having steep, uphill battles to make the team.
Who has the edge for the final 2-3 spots:
Gray has a clear advantage with three years of experience in the Chiefs' offense, solid backup production and exceptional special teams play. Wiley seems safe to make the roster after an impressive showing at OTAs, but that isn't guaranteed to translate to training camp or preseason.
If he underwhelms, Wiley could be looking at a stint on the practice squad. Smith has the most experience out of all the TEs on the roster next to Kelce, but injuries have consistently derailed his career. If he can stay healthy and Wiley isn't ready, Smith could be the TE3.
Who is on the trading block:
Though the odds of it happening are low, the Chiefs could look into trading away Gray if Wiley has a strong camp. Wiley has TE1 upside and could be the guy who replaces Kelce once he retires. Gray is likely a career backup and solid special teams player. If Wiley is ahead of schedule in his development, it's possible K.C. flips Gray for a late-round draft pick.
Biggest training camp sleeper: Gerrit Prince
Prince is entering his third year in the NFL and second with K.C. He spent all of 2023 on the Chiefs' practice squad and has yet to appear in a regular season game. Prince has good size at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, making him a tough matchup for defenders. With a year of being in the Chiefs' system under his belt, this is Prince's chance to push for a roster spot.
