You will rarely see a position more stacked than the AFC West is at the tight end position. Let’s see how they stack up.
1. Chiefs
Starter: Travis Kelce
Arguably the best tight end in the NFL, let alone in the AFC West, Travis Kelce has been a Pro Bowler each of the past five seasons and twice named first-team All-Pro. He led all tight ends last season with 274 deep receiving yards, according to Pro Football Focus. Kelce was also third in the league in slot receiving with 41 catches on 52 targets for 480 yards and two touchdowns.
2. Raiders
Starter: Darren Waller
In most divisions in football, Darren Waller would probably be the top tight end. There are probably 2-3 tight ends in the league to whom he would take a backseat, and Travis Kelce is one of them.
Waller was third in the NFL in deep receiving with five catches on 12 targets for 160 yards. He was also fifth in slot receiving with 49 catches on 52 targets for 308 yards and a touchdown. His 90 catches for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns had him a Pro Bowl alternate and when Kelce headed to the Super Bowl, Waller would have been the replacement had he not had surgery on an injured thumb after the season.
3. Chargers
Starter: Hunter Henry
Hunter Henry was well on his way to being the heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates. Despite splitting time with Gates, Henry put up a combined 1057 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Chargers. An injury cost him the entire 2018 season, but he came back strong last season, catching 55 passes for 652 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 games. He has the makeup of a Pro Bowl tight end. He just has to stay on the field.
4. Broncos
Starter: Noah Fant
What’s interesting is Fant was the tight end in last year’s draft who many – including myself – thought would have been a perfect choice for the Raiders. The Broncos snatched up Fant at 20th overall before the Raiders even had a chance at him (they weren’t going to be picking him at fourth overall and their next pick was at No. 24). They instead rolled with the former practice squad player, Waller.
While the Raiders did well in going with Waller, Fant had a decent rookie season, catching 40 passes for 562 yards and three touchdowns. In this division, however, he has a long way to go to move up the ranks at his position.
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