No. 50 on the #PFFAllDecade101@tkelce pic.twitter.com/VDzRfvAPZP
— PFF (@PFF) May 12, 2020
No. 50 – TE Travis Kelce
“There is little doubt that Rob Gronkowski was the best tight end of the past decade — and one of the best of all time — but Travis Kelce has been the second-best for much of that time. Kelce earned a second-team nod on our All-Decade team; he has long been one of the best receiving weapons in the league and averages more than six yards after the catch per reception for his career, having broken 91 tackles across his six seasons. Kelce can run routes like a receiver and run away from defenders after the catch like few players the game has ever seen at that position. He has already displayed significantly more staying power than players like Jimmy Graham, whose time at the top is already looking substantially more like a flash in the pan.“
I know there will be some Chiefs fans that won’t like Monson slotting Gronkowski ahead of Kelce. They might have an argument there too because Kelce is still breaking new ground as a receiver that Gronk never could. In 2020, Kelce will have the chance to add a fifth consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards. He’s the only tight end to ever have four such consecutive seasons already.
His ability as a receiver is uncanny. He’s a mismatch against linebackers, safeties, and cornerbacks. There is really no one in the NFL that can consistently cover Kelce. At only 31 years old, Kelce should have many more good years left. If he sticks in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes for the remainder of his career he’ll have a chance to set a number of NFL records for a tight end during the next decade.