Week 6 at Minnesota
Somewhat lost in the wake of the news about Jamaal Charles last Sunday was a disappointing day for Travis Kelce. A combination of Chicago’s defense and poor game planning by Chiefs head coach Andy Reid led to Kelce catching just three passes for 35 yards. And he was unable to score a touchdown for the fourth game in a row.
Hopefully the drought will end this week against Minnesota’s defense. The Vikings have done pretty well at defending the pass, but Detroit’s Eric Ebron and Denver’s Owen Daniels have scored against them. And the absence of Charles could lead to more targets for Travis, as it remains to be seen how much Charcandrick West will offer in the passing game. While there is reason to be frustrated with Kelce, he will continue to be one of the best options at a notoriously tough position and needs to remain in your starting lineup.
Week 5 vs Chicago
Travis Kelce, who played his college ball at Cincinnati, did not have a very good homecoming in the Queen City last Sunday. Kelce was held to five receptions for 49 yards and lost a fumble. It was an off day for the talented tight end, but some of the blame must go to Kansas City’s misguided head coach Andy Reid. Rookie wide receiver Chris Conley, a promising player who is still finding his way, had as many targets as Travis.
The only tight end who has scored a touchdown against the Bears in 2015 is Seattle’s Jimmy Graham. However, the other opponents the Bears have faced, Green Bay, Arizona, and Oakland, do not have consistent threats at the position. And Chicago has given up 10 touchdown passes, so logic dictates Kelce has a good chance at putting last week behind him. Continue to view him as a top-flight TE1.
Week 4 at Cincinnati
One of the best tight ends in the fantasy business, Travis Kelce performed well in Week 3 despite the fact Jamaal Charles scored most of Kansas City’s touchdowns. Kelce caught six passes for 80 yards and also hauled in a two-point conversion.
This is a homecoming for Travis, as he played his college ball at the University of Cincinnati. The Bengals have been rough on tight ends through three games, as no tight end has found the end zone against them or topped 50 yards. However, Kelce is talented enough to break through and find success. His TE1 train will keep running smoothly.
Week 3 at Green Bay
Like any player, Travis Kelce needs targets to succeed. Despite the fact he is one of the NFL’s best young tight ends, he was targeted only five times in Week 2 as the Chiefs lost in agonizing fashion to Denver 31-24. He finished with four receptions for 58 yards. In Week 1, when the Chiefs led Houston throughout, Kelce got six targets. Common sense and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid have had a rocky relationship through the years. Owners can expect Kelce to be more involved this week, especially since this is a game where the Chiefs could be playing from behind.
Green Bay's defense held Seattle’s Jimmy Graham in check last week, but was victimized by Chicago’s Martellus Bennett on opening day. Bennett caught five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. It is never easy to do battle with one of the NFL’s best teams, but Kelce is locked in as a top TE1.
Week 2 vs Denver
During Week 1 in Houston, Travis Kelce gave his fantasy owners a Texas-sized treat. One of 2015’s top breakout candidates, Kelce caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. And his overall numbers might have been even better had Kansas City not led throughout the game before Houston made a late rally.
Denver had the NFL’s best pass defense in Week 1, holding Baltimore to 100 passing yards. Indeed, the Broncos look to have a very good defense overall, but Baltimore is lacking in skill position talent at the moment. Kelce will have a better shot at busting the Broncos and remains an elite TE1.
Week 1 at Houston
There was some panic last week when Travis Kelce suffered an ankle sprain, but it was minor and the rising fantasy star will be ready to rock in Houston on Sunday. Houston’s secondary has been shuffled, with former Denver Bronco Rahim Moore and Quintin Demps taking over at safety. Although J.J. Watt and his supporting cast will exploit Kansas City’s offensive line early and often, you have to figure Kelce will find a way to be productive, especially against a secondary still working to find cohesion. He is a firm TE1 with a high ceiling.
Selected by Kansas City in the third round of the 2013 draft, Travis Kelce missed pretty much all of his rookie season due to injury, playing in only one game. He was on a mission to make up for lost time in 2014 and quickly made his mark by catching 67 passes for 862 yards and five touchdowns. His total was even more impressive noting that he did not receive extensive playing time at times during the season, yielding to journeyman Anthony Fasano in Kansas City’s peculiar offense. Fasano stole four touchdowns last year, but the Chiefs sent him packing during the offseason. With substantial playing time assured, just how terrific can Travis be in 2015?
2015 Upside
Alex Smith can generate plenty of snarky comments, but one honest factoid about Smith is that he likes targeting his tight end. He frequently made connections with Vernon Davis during his San Francisco days and already has a good rapport with Kelce. The number of tight ends in the NFL who can stake a claim to being their team’s top target is very small. Travis is one who can, as he was Kansas City’s leading receiver last year. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, signed away from the Philadelphia Eagles, will help open things up for the entire offense. Maclin’s arrival also might help bring Smith out of his shell, which would further benefit Kelce who is a good downfield receiver.
2015 Downside
Kelce could start slow. In three of their first four games, Kansas City travels to Houston, Cincinnati, and Green Bay. The other game is a home contest with Denver. Although Maclin will make the offense more viable, he will also draw plenty of targets and potentially challenge Kelce for the number one spot in the pecking order. And the other wide receivers, led by rookie Chris Conley and improving Albert Wilson, will also help make that unit better than it was last year. Remember, not a single wide receiver on the Kansas City roster scored a touchdown in 2014. That will change, potentially at the expense of Travis, as Smith is not going to suddenly throw 40 touchdowns. Jamaal Charles will still be the main breadwinner of the offense. And even though Kelce is not an exceptional blocker, could he be called upon to pitch in more than anticipated in that area? Kansas City’s line has some flaws.
Bottom Line
If Kelce merely matches last year’s numbers, that still makes him one of the more reliable options at the weak tight end position. If he exceeds them, which he probably should be able to do with Fasano gone, he will be in line to join the elite company of Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. Kelce’s ADP is most likely to be in round four, which is a rational price to pay for one of the few trustworthy tight ends.
Week 17 – Travis Kelce vs. San Diego Chargers
In large part because he has not been utilized properly, Travis Kelce has been hit or miss in 2014. He missed in Week 16 in Pittsburgh, catching four passes for 31 yards. Nonetheless, in a weak year at the tight end spot, Kelce remains a positive presence compared to most. He will head into the showdown with San Diego as a TE1.
Week 16 – Travis Kelce at Pittsburgh Steelers
The good times continued for Travis Kelce in Week 15, as the young tight end finished with five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. In Week 14, Kelce had hauled in seven passes for 110 yards. Finally, the Chiefs have realized they have a nice weapon. Travis has blazed a trail towards the top of the rankings and is a no-brainer TE1 against a Pittsburgh defense that has given up 28 touchdown passes.
Week 15 – Travis Kelce vs. Oakland Raiders
Finally, the world got another look at how things would be if Travis Kelce was featured regularly. That has not happened enough this year. Although Kelce had a costly yet controversial fumble in the fourth quarter, he also snagged seven passes for 110 yards. Hopefully Kansas City will continue feeding Kelce, as he is one of their few difference makers outside of Jamaal Charles. If that happens, Kelce is a lock to be a nice TE1.
