The Chiefs’ tight end group has been lacking something.
Sure, they have the top tight end in the NFL in Travis Kelce, but they haven’t been able to find a good complement to him. They’ve tried to mold two undrafted free agent basketball players in Demetrius Harris and Ross Travis. They drafted James O’Shaughnessy, and yet none of it has seemed to work.
Last year, the Chiefs brought on two undrafted free agents in Deon Yelder and David Wells. During this free agency period, they’ve signed journeyman TE Blake Bell. They have plenty of competitive depth on the team now, but they could certainly look to add another player in such a deep draft class.
Here’s a look at some of the pieces they could consider adding in each round of the 2019 NFL draft.
Round 1: Alabama TE Irv Smith Jr.
As much as I’d love to put one of the Iowa tight ends here, it’s unlikely they’ll be available. Smith is the next in line to be drafted. Don’t overthink it with this prospect; he has the tools needed to become a very good tight end in the NFL.
Smith is about as versatile as they come at the TE position, and Nick Saban used him well at Alabama. He can operate in-line or flexed out wide. He’s a threat in the passing game. He’s got great speed, size, and blocking ability. On top of all of that he’s not even 21 years old yet. The room from growth and improvement with this kid are astronomical.
If this is the best player on the Chiefs board in the first round, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest. Will they be willing to spend a first-round pick on Smith Jr. and boast one of the NFL’s top TE duos?
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Round 2: Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger
If the Chiefs are looking to add another receiving threat at the tight end position, Sternberger is the guy they should be targeting. In 2018 he averaged over 17 yards per reception. There might not be another TE in this class that is more deadly as a receiving threat down the seam.
The big need for improvement in Sternberger’s game is as a blocker, but there’s no reason that he can’t get better with an NFL training regimen. He’s got enough football smarts and toughness to his game that teams will be encouraged.
The Chiefs have done their homework on Sternberger, inviting him to Arrowhead’s facilities for a top-30 visit. That shows they have quite a bit of interest in this player.
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Round 3: LSU TE Foster Moreau
Foster Moreau wasn’t utilized as well as he could have been in the LSU offense. They asked him to pancake guys in the blocking game, and he’s got the part of it down pat. One thing he’s shown in the pre-draft process, though, is that he has the athleticism to be more than just a blocking tight end, even if LSU failed to use him as such.
He has the chops to be a featured tight end in the NFL, even if he starts as a Y tight end, working as a complement to another player. He plays with a certain attitude to his game, especially as a receiver, often fighting through contact in a way that makes you think he likes getting hit.
If the Chiefs look to the middle rounds for a TE, expect this one to be on their radar.
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Round 4: San Diego State TE Kahale Warring
The Mountain West Conference doesn’t get a whole lot of love in the NFL draft. You’ve got to be a pretty special prospect to end up drafted ahead of Day 3. San Diego State TE Kahale Warring is almost there in my rankings, but he doesn’t quite make the cut.
Warring checks all of the boxes that you want to see as an athlete and was great in multiple sports before eventually choosing football. He’s got the size, speed, strength, and explosion you want at the position. Although he wasn’t utilized much as a receiver, one thing that stands out is his strong hands. Especially in the red zone where he comes down with a lot of 50/50 balls.
If the Chiefs need a tight end to develop behind Kelce that has a lot of upside, this is a guy to watch for the Chiefs in the draft.
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Round 5: West Virginia TE Trevon Wesco
I’m probably higher on Wesco than some other draft folks out there. To me, he is the prototype of what you want out of the Y tight end position. He offers the versatility to block in-line, as an h-back, or on the wing. His competitive nature shows when he’s blocking too.
It may be an NFL draft cliche, but Wesco is actually a sneaky athlete. West Virginia took advantage of this and had him sneak out of the in-line position to catch some passes often. It typically caught opponents by surprise, too. He wasn’t utilized as a red zone target often, with only two touchdown receptions on his career, but he’s shown enough to make me think he’ll get better there.
Andy Reid will be a fan of Wesco. The Chiefs value blocking quite a bit, but Reid can also utilize Wesco in creative ways. West Virginia had him throw a pass in their bowl game against Syracuse in 2018.
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Round 6: Rutgers TE Jerome Washington
Not all prospects who end up being drafted had the chance to perform at the NFL combine. Washington didn’t receive an invite to the combine and his numbers from his pro day would have placed him squarely in the middle of the pack among tight ends in Indianapolis.
Washington has put some flashy plays on tape throughout his career, including one of the best catches of the 2017 season. It came against Nebraska when he caught a pass and pinned the ball between his ankles and his rear end. He’s shown a skill set worth developing, but he’s struggled with injury throughout his entire career.
In the late rounds, the Chiefs could afford to take a flyer on a talented prospect with an injury history.
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Round 7: Stetson TE Donald Parham
If Parham is drafted, he’ll be the first player from Stetson selected since 1951. He has a pretty good chance to be drafted, too. He was having a strong showing at the Senior Bowl before he had to drop out of the game due to an ankle injury.
At 6-foot-8 and 243 pounds, Parham is bigger than your average tight end. What intrigues NFL teams the most is how smooth of an athlete he is at that size. He moves like a wide receiver and he has strong hands, especially in the red zone, as illustrated by his 13 touchdowns during his senior season.
Some team is going to take Parham in the final round of the draft. The Chiefs would be wise to add an intriguing weapon like this to their offense.
Honorable mention late-rounders/UDFAs: Andrew Reinkemeyer (South Alabama), David Lucero (UTEP), and Trey Lasman (Nebraska-Kearney)
Potential Chiefs prospects
Quarterbacks (Coming soon)
Running backs (Coming soon)
Wide receivers (Coming soon)
Tight ends
Offensive tackles (Coming soon)
Guards (Coming soon)
Centers (Coming soon)
Defensive tackles (Coming soon)
Defensive ends (Coming soon)
Linebackers (Coming soon)
Cornerbacks
Safeties
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