Week 3 – Travis Kelce at Miami Dolphins
It is no secret that Travis Kelce was classified as a disappointment after the first week of the season. But game two brought better things, as Kelce caught four passes for 81 yards. His rapport with Alex Smith is definitely growing, which is good as Smith needs all the help he can get. With Kansas City still in run-first mode, Travis could remain a hit-or-miss player. Still, he is inching closer to TE1 territory. Ultimately, he has not quite made it there yet, which means you need to look elsewhere for a starter this week.
Week 2 – Travis Kelce at Denver Broncos
Heading into week one, many felt Travis Kelce was the equivalent of a volcano ready to erupt. However, the lava never flowed as Kelce had a modest afternoon, catching three passes for 49 yards. The real disappointment was seeing fellow tight end Anthony Fasano catch Alex Smith’s lone touchdown pass.
There is still some hope for Kelce. Dwayne Bowe is back, which means defenses will be shifting their focus in his direction. And the Broncos gave up a 41-yard touchdown to Indianapolis tight end Dwayne Allen. Nevertheless, Kelce should be on your bench until he shows he can live up to the hype.
Week 1 – Travis Kelce vs. Tennessee Titans
Following a banner preseason, Travis Kelce has become the darling of fantasy owners seeking to find a breakout sleeper at tight end. And Kelce is in a good position to make an immediate impact. Kansas City’s top wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, will not be playing this week.
Given the weaknesses of the other wide receivers on the Chiefs roster, it is quite probable Kelce could make the greatest impact on offense for Kansas City outside of Jamaal Charles. If you have another tight end with a rough matchup or want an inexpensive weapon in your daily fantasy game, do not hesitate to roll the dice on Travis.
During the 2013 offseason, Kansas City had high hopes for rookie tight end Travis Kelce, their third-round pick out of Cincinnati. Unfortunately, an injury derailed Kelce’s rookie season. Now healthy, Travis is playing like he’s out to make up for lost time. Through three preseason games, Kelce has 10 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns. How big of a splash can this promising player make?
Fantasy Upside
Outside of all-world running back Jamaal Charles and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs are starving for weapons. And Bowe is suspended for the first game of the season. There is a real void that Kelce can fill, especially on opening day against a Tennessee Titans defense in the process of converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Daily fantasy game players need to consider Kelce in that matchup. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid did not make huge use of his tight ends last year, but has in the past in Philadelphia. Back in 2009, Brent Celek finished with 76 receptions for 971 yards and eight touchdowns. One of Kelce’s touchdowns was a 69-yard reception, showcasing his superior athletic ability.
Fantasy Downside
There’s no doubt Kelce should have a big role in Kansas City’s offense. But veteran Anthony Fasano is a superior blocker to Kelce and that will keep him on the field a lot, especially considering Kansas City’s sketchy offensive line. Although Fasano is not a dynamic receiver, he will catch some passes and cut into Kelce’s numbers. Charles handles more passes than most backs and Bowe, when available, will probably remain Smith’s primary downfield target.
Bottom Line
If you prefer a young TE2 with upside as opposed to a safe veteran with limited potential, Kelce deserves a spot on your roster. He is in a good situation for quick growth, given the weakness of many of the players around him and an acceptable quarterback to work with in Alex Smith. Using a late-round pick on Travis could work out nicely.
