Have KC Chiefs fans been underestimating Nick Keizer?
Not many KC Chiefs fans probably know the name Nick Keizer, but it’s possible we’ve all been underestimating the guy.
The Kansas City Chiefs have had issues with trying to find a suitable backup for Travis Kelce ever since Anthony Fasano was no longer with the team. There was hope that Ricky Seals-Jones could be that backup the Chiefs are looking for behind Kelce, but is it possible that the actual solution at TE2 is Nick Keizer?
Keizer went undrafted out of Grand Valley State in 2018 and spent that year on the Ravens practice squad. He eventually found his way to Kansas City, where he was on the practice squad for the duration of the 2019 season.
He’s yet to appear in a game for the Chiefs, but John Dixon of Arrowhead Pride wrote that Keizer “could be the Chiefs’ tight end to watch behind Travis Kelce” .
At this point, nothing would really surprise me at the backup tight end spot.
Seals-Jones was injured early on in camp and that’s also been an issue for Deon Yelder, who was the third string tight end last season. Keizer has stayed healthy and proven himself when the other two backup options haven’t been able to stay on the field.
Per Dixon’s article,
"“He’s done a great job with that,” said tight ends coach Tom Melvin of the additional practice reps Keizer has been getting. “He was with us a year ago — so for him, it’s basically just putting data in his hard drive by getting more reps.”"
Keizer isn’t someone that many Chiefs fans know about, simply because he hasn’t been on the field at all during his one year with the team. He had 504 yards receiving and nine touchdowns during his final season at Grand Valley State, including a game where he had 118 yards and two touchdowns. Now, this is against Division II opponents, but it’s still worth noting.
The Chiefs are known for getting as much out of their offensive weapons as possible and that’s easy to do with Patrick Mahomes slinging the pigskin around. Mahomes even had nice things to say about Keizer in Dixon’s article and what the young tight end could provide,
"“You’re really seeing his game evolve. You’re seeing how he’s seen how all the older guys have done it — and had success with it — and he’s adding that to his game. And then he’s finding that he’s good at it; he’s going out there and having success with that.”"
Travis Kelce is obviously the starter and it’s still likely that Ricky Seals-Jones gets the backup job simply from what he’s done previously in the league, but Nick Keizer is becoming more and more of a name to watch this offseason.
Hopefully Keizer or one of the other options steps up so that there’s finally solid depth behind Kelce.