Fantasy football: Where to draft Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce

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The Kansas City Chiefs completed yet another successful season last season, winning Super Bowl LVII in a 38-35 thriller vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. The Patrick Mahomes–Travis Kelce duo proved just how lethal they can be even with the loss of WR Tyreek Hill (to the Miami Dolphins).

Below, we look at Travis Kelce’s 2023 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

The Chiefs did suffer some key losses in the offseason, losing players like OL Orlando Brown Jr. to the Cincinnati Bengals and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster to the New England Patriots. The loss of Smith-Schuster is something that might actually benefit Kelce’s fantasy stock as now a lot of those targets will likely come in Kelce’s direction.

All indications are that the Chiefs have been liking the development of some of their young guys like WR Kadarius Toney, WR Skyy Moore, and TE Noah Gray. While the development of those guys is great for the Chiefs’ chances of repeating as SB champs, everyone knows that the duo of Mahomes and Kelce will be what carries this offense.

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Travis Kelce’s ADP: 8.65

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

Kelce’s current ADP has him as a 1st-round pick for all leagues, and I agree. The Chiefs’ offense relies heavily on the Mahomes-Kelce connection that has looked unstoppable over the last few years. Neither player has had many severe injuries and Kelce, despite being 33, has shown no signs of slowing down. I expect yet another year of Kelce being Mahomes’ favorite option, especially in the red zone.

Kelce currently has the 5th-highest ADP of any player in the NFL. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (3.33), San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (5.18), Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (5.44) and Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (7.99) are the top 4.

Kelce has by far the highest ADP of any tight end, with the next closest being Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (30.27).

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Travis Kelce’s 2022 stats

Games: 17

Receptions | targets: 110 | 152

Receiving yards: 1,338

Receiving touchdowns: 12

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Where should you draft Kelce?

Kelce finished 2nd in receiving TDs last season, only 2 behind Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams. His 1,338 receiving yards ranked 8th overall and 1st among tight ends, well ahead of Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson (917 receiving yards for the Detroit Lions and Vikings).

Kelce gets a lot of targets in this Chiefs offense and even though opposing defenses expect it, they haven’t been able to stop it. The only stat where Kelce may fall a bit is receiving yards, because of how the Chiefs young WR group seems to be developing. Kelce is still Mahomes’ favorite target and the biggest red-zone threat for K.C, so his fantasy numbers will stay consistent.

Kelce’s ADP has him being taken as the top TE off the board by a long shot. If you find yourself with a mid-1st-round pick and Kelce is still available, grab him quick. Kelce will put up numbers better than a lot of top WRs and will be a must-start every week this season.

You should be very happy if you can land Kelce in the mid-late 1st round depending on the size of your league.

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