Risk and Reward: The Chiefs Should Make Noah Gray Their Backup Tight End

Gray, a fifth-round pick in this year's draft, is undoubtedly a flawed player. He's a bit undersized relative to what some NFL teams want in a tight end and his blocking prowess leaves a lot to be desired. The routes he runs are far from crisp. He's young, and no Day Three draft pick is perfect. With that said, Gray brings some things to the table that Bell and Keizer simply don't.

If the Chiefs choose to use Gray this season, they can do so in a variety of ways. He has "wiggle" in his game and is a good enough athlete to win some individual matchups on the outside. If the team opts for less of a traditional fullback in certain formations, the 22-year-old can serve as an H-back and leak out of the backfield to catch passes. He's a versatile weapon that may fly under the radar.

Bell is a more polished player than Gray at this stage in their respective careers, but that doesn't mean Gray can't make a larger overall impact on the Chiefs' offense. Players like Bell and Keizer are fine depth pieces, but Gray is dynamic. His ceiling is higher than theirs. He's also seemingly impressed the team throughout the offseason. 

It remains to be seen what the Chiefs end up doing with their backup job. Bell and Keizer have both failed to leave significant marks in the past. Gray may be an unproven player, but it isn't as if the team has fielded juggernauts behind Kelce as of late. The rookie has more potential than the rest of the non-Kelce tight ends combined, and he may just get the chance to prove it sooner rather than later.