Week 8 vs. Indianapolis
Travis Kelce has now been held under 35 yards in four of his last five games, and had a disappointing effort last week in a favorable matchup against the Saints. Owners will hope he turns it around in another favorable matchup this week against the Colts.
Indianapolis has allowed 70+ yards to the position in four of the last five games, including touchdowns the last two weeks. Kelce may be in a slump, but it's hard not to like him in such a great matchup.
Week 7 vs. New Orleans
Travis Kelce has had less than 35 receiving yards in three of his last four games. He's still been an effective tight end with a few scores, but he's obviously not reaching his full potential in this offense.
We like him this week in a favorable matchup against the Saints, however. If the Chiefs get involved in a shootout, expect Kelce and Jeremy Maclin to be heavily involved. The Chiefs' tight end should be viewed as a solid TE1 play.
Week 6 vs. Oakland
Travis Kelce found the end zone in back-to-back weeks before the Chiefs' Week 5 bye, and he's been an important part of the passing game all season. In Week 6 he gets a favorable matchup against the Raiders, a defense that's allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Given the great matchup, and his role with the Chiefs, Kelce is a must-start TE1 option this week.
Week 4 at Pittsburgh
Travis Kelce had his best game of the season last week, catching six-of-seven targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. He now has 70-plus yards in two of three games, easily making him one of the top options at his position.
This week he'll face a Steelers defense that has allowed 80-plus yards in two of three games. There's no reason to worry about Kelce this week, which makes him a strong TE1 option.
Week 3 vs. New York Jets
Travis Kelce didn't have a monster game in Week 2, but the Chiefs' passing game as a whole didn't play very well. The offense will try and turn things around in Week 3 against a Jets defense that has allowed the seventh-most passing yards in the league.
Considering the lack of production as a whole from the tight end position this year, it's hard to bench Kelce. He's one of the top talents at this position, and he's pretty much a must-start option every week.
Week 2 vs. Houston
Travis Kelce came away with six receptions for 74 yards on seven targets in Week 1. He's still going to struggle to get opportunities in this offense, but this was nice production from the talented tight end.
He'll get a tough matchup this week against Houston, but we still expect him to get looks due to his talent. Kelce should be viewed as a TE1 play in Week 2.
Week 1 vs. San Diego
Travis Kelce is one of the most physically gifted tight ends in the game, but he's in a run-first offense that some times limits his production. It happened in the Chiefs second game against the Chargers last season, and there's always the potential for it to happen this year as well.
Still, Kelce is such a gifted player that it doesn't make sense to place him on the bench. He has big-play potential every week, and that's only heightened in a great matchup against the Chargers.
Kelce should be viewed as a TE1 play this week.
Fantasy Upside
Travis Kelce is one of the most athletic tight ends in the league. He stands tall at 6-foot-6, and is one of the fastest at his position. His talents led him to become one of Alex Smith's favorite targets.
Fantasy Downside
Comparing his breakout 2014 stats with his 2015 is kind of scary considering how similar they are. The numbers are nearly identical, which is not a good thing, because most were expecting an increased workload last year.
Bottom Line
If Kelce was in a different offense, like say the Packers, he'd be in the conversation for the best overall tight end. He's a very talented player whose skills are limited due to the offense he's in. He'll still have big games, and will finish as a TE1, but his potential is so much greater.
Week 19 at New England
After catching just one pass in the final game of the regular season, Travis Kelce and the rest of the Chiefs toasted the Houston Texans last Saturday. Kelce caught eight passes for 128 yards. It was his second big game of the season against the Texans, as he caught two touchdown passes against them in Week 1.
The fact Travis had a repeat big performance vs. Houston is worth noting going into this weekend. Last year when he played the Patriots, he caught eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. And the New England pass defense is not as strong as it was in 2014. Plus, top Kansas City wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is far from a lock to play this weekend. Kelce has a good chance at leading the Chiefs in targets and has returned to elite TE1 territory.
Week 18 at Houston
A lot has changed since Travis Kelce last played the Houston Texans back in Week 1. In that game, Kelce’s fantasy owners had visions of a Midwest Gronk running through their heads, as Travis caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Of late, Kelce’s owners have had disturbing visions of post-2013 Vernon Davis. Kelce had one lousy reception for 10 yards in the season finale against Oakland. In Week 14, he could only muster three catches for 18 yards in a victory over San Diego.
So, will it be feast or famine with Kelce on Saturday? Despite his recent struggles, he is still one of the steadier players at the tight end position and his performances at the beginning and end of the regular season represent opposite extremes. Something in the middle is more likely, and Travis will give you a decent starter at a lower price than the likes of Jordan Reed and Tyler Eifert.
