With their first of two selections in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs decided to grab a skill position player who should settle into an important role for the team's offense in tight end Jared Wiley out of TCU.
Coming into the draft, the Chiefs didn't necessarily need to force something at tight end but they also weren't completely set at the position either.
The top of the depth chart was already set with Travis Kelce in place, and despite rumors that he might be thinking more about his post-NFL career than ever before given his relationship with Taylor Swift, TV interests, and lingering injuries.
The Chiefs' second pick in the fourth round served up Jared Wiley, a tight end out of TCU. Here's our instant grade.
Beyond that, Noah Gray was TE2 but he's entering his contract year and some team is likely to give him greater room to bloom after he hits the open market next year. The Chiefs also signed Irv Smith Jr. in free agency as further depth and security along with the slim hopes he had of turning into a well-rounded TE out of Notre Dame.
As for Wiley, scouts refer to him as a plus blocker already with the size and hands to be dangerous in the end zone. Most importantly here for his transition to the NFL level is that he can learn from a legend like Kelce while still in his prime and ease into the first season behind two guys earning most of the reps. However, the Chiefs have at least something on the shelves for '24 and beyond.
Jared Wiley: Best pass-blocking TE in 2023, allowing just 1 QB pressure all season 📈 pic.twitter.com/itWOj6d9o6
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) April 27, 2024
The problem with the pick, if there is one, is that Veach's penchant for slipping back in smaller trades might have hurt him here in having to grab the last of several tight ends who went in the round. J'Tavion Sanders, Cade Stover, AJ Barner, Erick All, and Theo Johnson all went ahead of Wiley, so it makes sense to ask if this pick could have been someone else.
Overall, a solid long-term addition for the Chiefs offense and a player who can play scheme-specific roles on limited offensive reps and special teams in the present while learning the ropes.