Kansas City Chiefs: Five Positions To Watch In Training Camp
By Joel Wagler
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Sean McGrath – Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not that the Chiefs don’t have some talent at this position. They do. It is more the case of who will step forward to not only make the team, but who will start.
Health will also be a major factoring determining playing time at tight end. Travis Kelce got hurt in preseason last year and never did make it onto the field. Anthony Fasano missed 7 games, forcing the Chiefs to pull in players from the scrap heap.
Sean McGrath was such a player, and he worked hard, and produced better than anyone could have ever hoped. He pulled 26 balls for 302 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Pretty good for a guy thrust into the starting lineup 10 times after being signed right before the season.
If injuries don’t wipe out this unit, it could go from a relative weakness last season to a burgeoning strength this season.
Another tight end candidate is 6’7″ rookie Demetrius Harris. He is a project but he is a great athlete who could be really good down the road.
In a perfect world, Kelce would be the talented starter, and Fasano the veteran back-up. McGrath, a fan favorite, is probably the least talented, and might the odd man out if Harris has a great camp and preseason.
If injuries don’t wipe out this unit, it could go from a relative weakness last season to a burgeoning strength this season. Quarterback Alex Smith really liked using his tight ends in San Francisco, and Andy Reid liked to use the tight ends in Philadelphia.
If this unit is productive, they could really offer a great dimension to the offense.