As the official start to the 2020 NFL off-season approaches, speculation surrounding the futures of some big names around the league are already being talked about.
Our series of breaking down each position along the Kansas City Chiefs roster continues as we take a look at the tight ends.
Tight Ends: (1) – Travis Kelce
UFA: Blake Bell
ERFA: Deon Yelder, David Wells
The Chiefs made do with the depth they had at the tight end spot in 2019 without any problems, they won a Super Bowl after all, but it wasn’t where they probably would’ve liked it be or where it could’ve been.
Everyone knows that Andy Reid loves his multiple tight end sets and while Veach and his staff have larger tasks at hand, the tight ends room is sure to get some attention this off-season.
That being said, I wouldn’t expect too many drastic changes either.
Blake Bell played in 15 games, started 7 and caught 8 of 15 targets for 67 yards in 2019 and also took part in run blocking. Bell did a fine job as the backup tight end to Travis Kelce and during two-tight-end sets on offense.
Bell isn’t by any means, the next Jason Dunn, but I felt he did a good enough job that warrants him returning to Kansas City on a cheap deal.
The Chiefs also have Deon Yelder and David Wells, who are exclusive rights, free agents. Yelder was the team’s third-string tight end who played sparingly throughout the regular season and participated in all three of the Chiefs postseason games, including Super Bowl LIV.
Wells showed a few good things during training camp but spent most of the 2019 season on injured reserve.
I believe we’ll see both players make a return to the roster simply because the Chiefs need tight ends, especially since Travis Kelce is currently the only one under contract right now and it makes sense to add immediate depth and competition.
The fact that both are exclusive rights free agents, it means they won’t cost the team anything to return and they won’t be allowed to talk with another club as long as the Chiefs offer them the league minimum to stay in Kansas City.
Yelder and Wells also already know Andy Reid’s scheme and will provide the competition the Chiefs coaching staff will be looking for when training camp rolls around.
That being said, I also believe Brett Veach will look to the undrafted free agent pool following this year’s draft to add some extra depth and see who earns a spot on the roster at the end of camp.
The reason I believe the Chiefs will look for undrafted tight ends is that they have bigger needs at other positions and only five draft picks for 2020. Even if Veach was able to acquire more picks, which he might try to do at 32nd overall, I have a hard time believing they go tight end at any point unless there’s a guy on their board that falls and they have to take. Other than that, I just don’t think they do it.
Especially, since Veach has a knack for finding talent that goes undrafted.
Kansas City didn’t have the best depth at the tight end position under Travis Kelce and yet, won a Championship. However, this is what I believe the Chiefs do in order to get better in 2020.
