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Are fans expecting too much from the Kansas City Chiefs rookies?

By Lyle Graversen

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 5: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Troy Trojans at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 5: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Troy Trojans at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Oct 3, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils tight end Noah Gray (87) makes a catch during warm ups before playing against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils tight end Noah Gray (87) makes a catch during warm ups before playing against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

Joshua Kaindoh

The Chiefs next pick was Joshua Kaindoh. As I already mentioned, Kaindoh is probably the only prospect (other than maybe Humphrey) where there aren’t some fans setting the bar unreasonably high. There seems to be a good understanding that Kaindoh is a developmental prospect who has NFL caliber tools, but is going to need some coaching and time to develop. Then again, many of us didn’t expect Mike Danna to have a role as a rookie last season and he surprised. I still think the safe bet is to assume that Kaindoh won’t be a guy who receives a ton of playing time as a rookie.

Noah Gray

This is where I’m really going to start raining on some fans’ parade. Some of you are getting way too excited about Noah Gray at the tight end position this season. I did an entire piece already on how Andy Reid uses his second tight end and how Gray potentially fits in his offense. If you didn’t read it, I encourage you to do so.

Here is the bottom line: Andy Reid doesn’t feature a pass catching second tight end in his offense. Over his 22 years as a NFL head coach, his second tight end has only averaged 14.6 receptions per season. It’s a blocking first position. That means that Blake Bell is a better fit for that #2 position and that even if Gray gets to play there and doesn’t just back up Travis Kelce at the pass catching tight end spot, he still is unlikely to put up big numbers.

I think a lot of fans will be disappointed if Gray gets out-snapped by Bell this season and only catches 15-20 passes, but I think that is absolutely what the expectation should be. I like Gray. I think he is a great route runner and pass catcher at tight end for a rookie. I just don’t think he can block well enough to be on the field over Bell when they need a blocking-first tight end. Kelce (if healthy) also doesn’t leave enough other tight end receptions on the table for anyone else.

Gray is a great insurance policy for Kelce and a player for whom Reid may draw up an occasional play for with two tight ends as primary pass catching options. However, fans shouldn’t be expecting huge numbers from him this season.

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