Chiefs training camp preview: Tight Ends

Demetrius Harris

Harris showed promise late last season with one of the best touchdown catches of the season in the last game against the Raiders. He started all games after O’Shaughnessy was injured but managed fewer yards and just one more catch. Harris is tall at 6-foot-7 and his athletic ability as a former basketball player is unquestioned but his vision downfield is what will lose him the starting spot to O’Shaugnessy.

Brian Parker

Parker was used in 2015 as primarily a blocker in the three tight end set catching only one pass all season. He has more bulk than any of the other tight ends and this tends to slow him down making him more of a lineman than a receiver. Parker may get his shots despite being fourth in line as his blocking ability gives him an advantage over the other players here.

Ross Travis

Travis is another former basketball player with similar build to Demetrius Harris. He has the athletic ability and height to be a good pass catcher but he lacks the bulk like Parker to be on the roster as just a blocker.

The Chiefs assigned Travis last year to the practice squad early in the season but he never made a game roster. Travis hadn’t played football in 8 years when he decided to go for it with the NFL. His route running needs polishing but the Chiefs have hopes that he could be the next Jimmy Graham.