What are the Chiefs offseason options at tight end?

Draft Targets

It is highly unlikely that the Chiefs will have a chance at the top two prospects in O.J. Howard and David Njoku. So this is a list of my top three favorite tight ends (in no particular order) that should be available in the 2nd-4th rounds.

Jake Butt, Michigan (6’5”, 245lbs)

Jake Butt reminds most people of Zach Miller. A solid player who can be effective in both the receiving and blocking game. Unfortunately, Butt tore his ACL in the final game of his college career and missed the NFL combine. The injury has not seemed to faze teams in their analysis of him, but could still cause him to fall in the draft. With Travis Kelce already at the helm, Butt would not be pushed into playing time until his knee fully healed.

Adam Shaheen, Ashland (6’6”, 278lbs)

Perhaps the most interesting of the bunch is Adam Shaheen. Originally played basketball his first year of college, but transferred and ended up on the football team. Shaheen played in Division II football and consistently physically overwhelmed the competition. Not quite as good of a blocker as you’d expect from a man his size, but Shaheen is willing and coachable. His biggest asset though is his receiving skills. Shaheen caught 57 passes for 867 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016. Kelce has never caught more than 5 touchdowns in a season, and adding the big man could end up helping both of them.

George Kittle, Iowa (6’4”, 248lbs)

Kittle is an explosive athlete for a man his size, running the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds and an 11′ broad jump. The tight end out of Iowa shows excellent hands and downfield ability. He may also end up being the best blocking tight end of the bunch with solid technique and footwork. Watching his tape Kittle reminds me a lot about current Chief Travis Kelce. Like Kelce, he attacks the ball in the air and is a more than willing blocker. Pairing Kittle with Kelce could create a matchup nightmare for Chiefs opponents.