The AFC West happens to have two of the only teams in the league whose tight ends outshine the rest of their wide receiver corps. Most look at the Raiders’ situation with targeting the tight end so much as a product of the lack of talent at other offensive skill positions. But the Chiefs don’t have that problem, and yet the tight end is still a huge part of the offense.
Basically, what it comes down to is when you have talented players, you get him the ball. Regardless of any other factors. These two guys are not just the best in the division, but the best in football. So, naturally, that’s where we start.
1. Chiefs
Starter: Travis Kelce
Kelce is such a ridiculous talent. His 1416 yards were second in the NFL at any position. He also had 11 touchdowns which were tied for fifth. And he did this while sitting out the season finale along with several Chiefs starters. Just unreal. He was a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection; his third All-Pro selection of his career and his sixth Pro Bowl.
2. Raiders
Starter: Darren Waller
Waller set a franchise record with 107 catches. That was good for the fourth most at any position last season and two more than Kelce. Waller’s 1196 yards and 9 touchdowns were both 10th in the league. He would have at least been second-team All-Pro had it not been for Kelce’s insane numbers last season. Though Waller had more yards after the catch than Kelce and led the NFL in contested catch percentage (73%).
3. Broncos
Starter: Noah Fant
The 2019 20th overall pick has not taken the league by storm, but he has put up respectable numbers. He improved his numbers in his second season, catching 62 passes for 673 yards and matching his rookie touchdown total (3).
4. Chargers
Starter: Jared Cook
Hunter Henry left to sign a three-year deal with the Patriots. The Chargers replace him with the 34-year-old Cook. His numbers came down considerably last season from his previous couple of seasons in Oakland and New Orleans. In 2018 with the Raiders, he had career highs in catches (68) and yards (896). In 2019 he had career highs in yards per catch (16.4) and touchdowns (9). Last season he had his second-lowest yards per game (33.6) in the past ten years. He figures to see some rebound with a better QB, but it’s hard to predict a career upswing at the age of 34.
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