Kelce remains best of bunch

NFL TOP 5 TIGHT ENDS

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Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce may have been hampered by injuries last season during the regular season, but he returned to form in the playoffs. JAE C. Hong/ap file

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By Josh Dubow Associated Press

All the off-field attention that Travis Kelce generated last season while dating pop star Taylor Swift may have overshadowed his ability as a football player.

But Kelce still did more than enough in his day job as Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted pass catcher for the Chiefs to be selected as the top tight end in the NFL by The Associated Press.

A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at tight end, basing selections on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

Kelce got six of the eight first-place votes and two seconds to win the balloting. George Kittle got the other two first-place votes and six second-place votes as the only other player picked on all eight ballots to finish in second place.

1. Travis Kelce (Chiefs)

Kelce’s run of seven straight 1,000-yard seasons ended last season as he was hampered in the regular season by injuries to his knee and ankle.

Kelce still finished second among all tight ends with 984 yards receiving and 93 catches.

But Kelce returned to form in the postseason, leading the league with 32 catches for 355 yards and three TDs as he helped the Chiefs win their third Super Bowl title in five seasons.

The 34-year-old Kelce ranks in the top five among all tight ends in career catches (907), yards (11,328) and TDs (74).

2. George Kittle (49ers)

Kittle has a strong case to be considered the best all-around tight end thanks to his strong ability as a blocker in the run and pass game as well as his threat as a receiver. The 49ers’ use of Kittle as a blocker can limit his production as a receiver but he still led all tight ends last season with 1,020 yards receiving as he earned his second All-Pro selection.

3. T.J. Hockenson (Vikings)

Hockenson’s career has taken off since being traded midway through the 2022 last season from the Lions to the Vikings. Hockenson had 95 catches for 960 yards and five TDs last season before being sidelined by a season-ending knee injury in Week 16. Hockenson may miss the start of this season recovering from ACL surgery.

4. Mark Andrews (Ravens)

Andrews was limited to 10 games last season before being sidelined by a serious ankle injury. He was productive before getting injured as Lamar Jackson’s most trusted receiving option for the Ravens. Andrews had 45 catches for 544 yards and six TDs in 10 games last season.

5. Sam LaPorta (Lions)

LaPorta had a stellar rookie season after being drafted in the second round by the Lions. LaPorta’s 86 catches were the most ever for a rookie tight end.