Kansas City Chiefs 2023 Roster Preview: Tight Ends Entering Training Camp

Kansas City has the best tight end in the league leading the way, and there are several key depth options waiting behind him to help on offense.

Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Jacksonville Jaguars with tight end Blake Bell (81) during the first half in the AFC spanisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

For nearly a decade now, the Kansas City Chiefs' tight end room has gone as Travis Kelce has. The future Hall of Fame player is more than just a solid blocker, as his streak of consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons is at an all-time record seven years now. Kelce was one of the main reasons why the team's offense didn't fall off without Tyreek Hill in the fold, but a schematic adjustment also assisted in some high-level production. 

In an effort to keep defenses honest and make them load up the box or play closer to the line of scrimmage, the Chiefs upped their multi-tight end personnel usage in 2022. Sets in 12- and 13-personnel were used more often, including respective rankings of fifth and sixth in those formations on first down. Head coach Andy Reid got his tight ends involved more last year than most teams ever do, and that trend might be similar this year. 

As 2023 Chiefs training camp comes into focus, Arrowhead Report will be previewing each of the team's position groups. This precedes a roster projection once training camp is in full swing, allowing for in-depth analysis and observations of the roster general manager Brett Veach has put together. The series continues with tight end, which could very well be business as usual this coming season.

The starter: Travis Kelce

There isn't much to say about Kelce that hasn't already been spewed countless times. He's one of the very best tight ends to ever play the sport and even as he's set to turn 34 later this year, he shows very few signs of slowing down. The Chiefs were able to keep his snap count at 80% this past campaign — which was Kelce's lowest mark since 2014 — and a figure around there or potentially even lower would be beneficial this season. As long as Kelce remains healthy, he'll likely be the best tight end in the league once again this season. 

The backups: Noah Gray, Blake Bell and Jody Fortson

Playing in all 17 regular-season games for Kansas City, Gray made a mini-leap of sorts in his second year in the league. Going from hauling in seven passes for 36 yards as a rookie to 28 receptions for 299 yards as a sophomore, the team also doubled his snap count in the process. Gray is the clubhouse favorite to be Kelce's primary backup and possibly even offer a little bit of versatility as a fullback in some looks if the Chiefs so desire. 

Speaking of that hybrid-fullback role, Bell is the other candidate to potentially fulfill it. He's the best blocker in the Chiefs' tight end room, although he doesn't offer too much anymore as a receiving threat. Fortson, like Bell, struggled with availability last year and his production was underwhelming compared to the hype for his profile. With that said, he's a strong roster candidate once again due to his intrigue as a target for Patrick Mahomes in the red zone. 

The intriguing pieces: Kendall Blanton and Matt Bushman

Blanton was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad during last season, and his experience on a Super Bowl-winning team could come in handy in the event that someone on the roster gets injured. Until that happens, though, he's probably destined for the practice squad once again. Bushman has enjoyed some positive moments during the preseason but projects to fall victim, like Blanton, to the numbers game of there being multiple more entrenched players ahead of him.  

Read More: Joe Burrow Has Simple Message About Chiefs-Bengals Banter