Tale of the Tape: Travis Kelce versus Rob Gronkowski

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KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 30: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs high-fives wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 during the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on October 30, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

The Stats

Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski have played in very different styled offenses. The Patriots have Tom Brady to throw all over the field with, led by Bill Belichick who is arguably the best coach of all time. In Kansas City, the Chiefs have run a West Coast style offense with Andy Reid calling the plays. Both are good offenses, but are different and one can see it in the stats:

2014-2015

Rob Gronkowski: 82 rec. 1,124 yds, 13.7 avg. 12 TDs
Travis Kelce: 67 rec. 862 yds, 12.9 avg. 5 TDs

2015-2016

Rob Gronkowski: 72 rec. 1,176 yds, 16.3 avg. 11 TDs
Travis Kelce: 72 rec. 875 yds, 12.2 avg. 5 TDs

2016-2017

Rob Gronkowski: 25 rec. 540 yds, 21.6 avg. 3 TDs
Travis Kelce: 85 rec. 1,125 yds,13.2 avg. 4 TDs

2017-2018

Rob Gronkowski: 69 rec. 1,084 yds, 15.7 avg. 8 TDs
Travis Kelce: 83 rec. 1,038 yds, 12.5 avg. 8 TDs

These stats speak volumes to me. It is clear that Rob Gronkowski has been used as the focal point of the teams vertical offense. He has an unusually high average per catch, indicating that his routes are run deep downfield. Tom Brady has relied on Gronk to make big plays in the red zone and uses him as his number one target when he is in the game.

Travis Kelce on the other hand has been playing in a West Coast offense that requires him to run shorter routes, but also gives him more receptions. Unlike the Patriots, the Chiefs have had a dominant rushing game and tend to have a pretty balanced approach. Obviously both players are dominant in their respective roles.

Conclusion

At this point in time, it is no longer clear that Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in the NFL. In fact, a pretty strong case could be made that Travis Kelce is the new number one. One thing is certain to me, the case that Gronkowski is clearly the better tight end is absolutely incorrect. From what I see, Travis Kelce is the better every down player, but Gronkowski is the better clutch and red zone player.

It will be interesting to see how these players proceed. I truly believe that they are two of the best offensive players in the entire league. The case that Travis Kelce is the best in the league at his position is absolutely viable. I don’t believe that I can say the same about Rob Gronkowski.

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