Chiefs 2022 53-Man Roster Prediction: Tight Ends

Making an NFL team’s 53-man roster for the start of the season is incredibly challenging. Some spots are filled more for niche roles and experience, rather than just simply draft status or ability. Meanwhile, special teams can make certain position battles more intense, especially for the final depth pieces looking to make it. The Kansas City Chiefs are no different than other teams.

For instance, they find themselves having to make tough decisions in key spots. This team also underwent a massive amount of changes this offseason. As a result, the opportunities are there for the taking at many spots on the 53-man roster. Though, expectations may vary all across the depth chart, at the same time.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be going position by position, giving our best predictions of who will make the Chiefs 2022 53-man roster. Practice squads will once again be maxed out at 16 players as well. In addition to the 53-man roster, we will also give our best bets at who may make it back to Kansas City as part of the practice squad. So far, we have given our predictions for the Chiefs quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. Next up, it is time for the tight ends.

Current Tight Ends On Chiefs Roster

• Travis Kelce
• Blake Bell
• Jody Fortson
• Noah Gray
• Matt Bushman
• Jordan Franks

The Standard Bearer

Over the last handful of seasons, Kelce has become the standard bearer as the top tight end in the NFL. He has continued to perform at a rapid pace, despite his growing age. Kelce has remained smooth as a route runner and with his ability to separate. Overall, his wiggle at the top of routes leaves opponents guessing and also has them tripping over their own feet. Kelce is simply a chore for defenders to bring down in space. This can be due to either his extensive size or numerous run after catch moves. Given how in sync he and Patrick Mahomes can be, those attributes are all major bonuses.

Kelce has recorded six consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, an NFL record for tight ends. He is the only tight end to do so for more than three consecutive campaigns. Kelce has had a tremendous stretch of health and consistency, helping to set a standard for other NFL tight ends to follow. Meanwhile, his average numbers put him in prime position to climb higher in the NFL tight end record books this year. For more on the milestones that Kelce can reach in 2022, read our latest FPC Chiefs article from Wednesday.

Coming Into Their Own

Despite having the best tight end in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs have also assembled some solid depth at the position. Two younger tight ends have become players with obvious potential to watch for. Let’s start with Jody Fortson. Originally starting with the team at wide receiver after being signed as an undrafted free agent, Fortson’s size and ball skills stood out immediately.

He had some strong performances in preseason games. It took him until his third year of Kansas City’s program and a position switch to make the active roster last year. Throughout challenges, his hard work, perseverance and athletic ability allowed him to stake a claim with the Chiefs. Unfortunately, that first chance was shortened, as Forston suffered a torn Achilles in Week 6 last season. He is now out for revenge in 2022.

On the flip side, Noah Gray appears to be much more comfortable entering his second NFL season. The Duke product flashed briefly late last year. Now this season, Gray has wowed at training camp and has continued to build momentum. Mainly, he has been attacking the ball more aggressively at the catch point, while also showing improved vision after the catch. His first preseason game showed those improvements. For both he and Fortson, their distinct abilities allow Andy Reid to get creative with three tight end sets. That worked well for the Chiefs when given the chance last year.

Monitoring An Injury

If you missed the Chiefs first preseason game last weekend, Blake Bell scored the touchdown when the starting offense played the first series. It came on an inside tight end screen in the red zone. Alas, that was the only bright spot for Bell on the day. He left with a hip injury not long afterwards, struggling to keep his balance on a play later on.

It is uncertain when Bell will return to the fold. While always being known more as a blocking tight end, there appeared to be a greater role in store for him this season. Bell has occasionally starred for Kansas City as the rusher on modified quarterback sneaks after coming in motion behind the center. Yet, the Chiefs also seemed to be setting up more natural receiving opportunities for Bell in 2022. He was moving a bit more elegantly in training camp. Hopefully, he makes a quick recovery. At least we do not have any intentions that this ailment should hurt Bell’s chances of making the Chiefs 2022 53-man roster, as things stand.

Prediction

TE1: Travis Kelce

TE2: Blake Bell

TE3 and TE4: Jody Fortson and Noah Gray

Be on the lookout for more of our FPC Chiefs 53-man roster prediction articles and more Kansas City analysis in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.