Grading Chiefs GM John Dorsey’s First Draft Class

Oct 6, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Travis Kelce (18) catches a pass over Miami Redhawks defenders Brison Burris (35) and Chris Wade (48) during the second quarter of the game at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3

Pick No. 63 – Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinatti

Grade: Incomplete

2014 Cap Hit: $695,826

Dead money if cut: $527,478

There was so much hope with Kelce being drafted in this position. The Chiefs have been looking for Tony Gonzalez’s replacement since he left in 2009 and every time the team drafts a tight end or brings one in via free agency, the fan base holds its collective breath. Chiefs fans are now turning blue, as they’re still holding their breath.

Kelce caught a whopping two passes for a grand total of 30 yards in two preseason games before injuring his knee and riding out the rest of the season on injured reserve. For a tight end that was projected to grade out like a Jimmy Graham or a Rob Gronkowski, Chiefs fans were certainly not able to see it.

Still Reid and Dorsey must have seen something in Kelce to use a third round pick on him. The tight end is potentially the most important position in Reid’s version of the west coast offense and the Chiefs had no steady, viable targets at the position this season. If Kelce can get healthy for 2014, combined with either Anthony Fasano or Sean McGrath, there could be something there.

With the dead money involved, Kelce is safe and likely won’t be cut…at least not this year. But he needs to perform and justify his existence on the team.