2021 NFL Draft: Will KC Chiefs make a major investment at tight end?

Every year, the question is asked about the spots on the depth chart behind Travis Kelce: Will the Chiefs make a significant move to bolster the tight end position this offseason?

For the last few years, the Chiefs have seemed content to roll with two-dimensional players and/or developmental talent at the second and third tight end spots on the roster. Someone like Blake Bell is a good example of the former, a blocker so good he’s known as “The Bulldozer” yet who would never force an opposing defensive coordinator to adjust a game plan. Players like Demetrius Harris or Ross Travis are good examples of the latter, raw players who might blossom if given the chance but the hit rate remains elusively low.

Earlier this offseason, general manager Brett Veach mentioned the need to get Kelce some help at the position. The team did re-sign Bell and Nick Keizer has been brought back for another season, so it’s possible the Chiefs roll into the ’21 season with a pecking order that looks eerily similar to years past. The Chiefs have won plenty of games with that sort of depth chart, so no one should blame them if that’s the plan.

At the same time, the Chiefs now have to play 17 games and Kelce is another year older. There’s been no drop in production to date—in fact, Kelce looks as dangerous as ever—but everyone hits the wall at some point. To help Kelce stay fresh for the stretch run (and the long-term), it makes sense for the Chiefs to make a greater investment either this offseason or next to raise the ceiling behind Kelce and plan out some security for the franchise.

Is this the year for the KC Chiefs to make a tight end investment?

Tight end is a position that can take quite a bit of time to develop. Kelce himself missed his entire rookie season and needed two more years after that before eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark. Even heralded prospects like T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant entered the league labeled as impact performers, but both have needed a considerable on-ramp to date.

Perhaps this is the year, then, that the Chiefs look at the draft class and take someone like Brevin Jordan of Miami or Tommy Tremble from Notre Dame in the draft’s mid-section. There are more urgent needs, to be sure, but the team’s draft board could signal the right investment if the opportunity is there when the Chiefs are on the board in rounds two through four.

Most fans will want to see the Chiefs take an offensive tackle, an interior lineman, a wide receiver, and a defensive end with their first few picks in the draft, but tight end is a shallow spot on the roster that, at some point, will turn into a need. If the Chiefs want to make sure the cupboards are full there for any future needs, they could make an investment despite the presence and dominance of Kelce up top.