Pro Football Focus identifies the most improved player on the Chiefs' roster in 2024
Pro Football Focus has released their most improved players from each NFL roster in 2024. Their selection for the Kansas City Chiefs was a clear and obvious one – tight end Noah Gray – who was a fifth-round pick (162 overall) by Kansas City in 2021. Gray has improved each year, and Chiefs GM Brett Veach […]
Pro Football Focus has released their most improved players from each NFL roster in 2024.
Their selection for the Kansas City Chiefs was a clear and obvious one – tight end Noah Gray – who was a fifth-round pick (162 overall) by Kansas City in 2021. Gray has improved each year, and Chiefs GM Brett Veach proclaimed that Gray would have a bigger role on offense this season, and showed faith in him by signing Gray to a three-year, $18 million contract extension with $10.1 guaranteed back in Week 1.
2024 was a career year for Gray, setting new career-highs in catches (40), receiving yards (437), and touchdowns (5). He also played 178 snaps on special teams. His performance earned him a 74.2 grade from PFF, the eighth-highest among all tight ends, and a higher grade than Travis Kelce.
Gray's emergence has come at the perfect time. While Kelce is still playing at a high level, he has slowed a bit. It's unknown how many more years Kelce has left with the Chiefs, but if he decides to move on sooner rather than later, Gray will be ready to shoulder the load.
Gray has established a good chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Mahomes has shown that he trusts Gray. Here's what Mahomes had to say about Gray's game and approach earlier this season.
“He does everything the right way," Mahomes said of Gray. "He’s learned a ton from Trav (Travis Kelce) and so he knows how to kind of work within the rules of the offense and get himself open. He’s just a guy that’s going to be in the right spot so as a quarterback you know if you’re going to give him the football, he’s going to make the play happen."
The Chiefs suddenly have a lot of weapons to utilize as they get set to make another Super Bowl run, but keep an eye on Gray. While defenses key in on guys such as Kelce, DeAndre Hopkins, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown, don't be surprised if Mahomes looks Gray's way, even during a crucial moment.
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Focused on the task at hand.
