Looking for Travis Kelce’s successor, the Chiefs select a tight end in the 2024 Draft

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On the closing day of the NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs added another receiver to their roster.

With the 131st pick of the fourth round, the franchise selected TCU tight end Jared Wiley. The 23-year-old has the potential to replace Blake Bell this coming season.

Brett Veach has done a great job in KC’s selections, as usual. This saturday, the general manager chose the TE to help bolster the team’s offense. Later, he then drafted safety Jaden Hicks from Washington State for the secondary.

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College background

Wiley’s high school career began at the University of Texas, where he spent three seasons before transferring to TCU.

Once based there, Wiley’s impact on the field took on a greater proportion, leading to good results in the 2023 season, with 47 receptions, 520 yards and 8 touchdowns, as well as achieving All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2022 and serving as team captain in 2023.

According to The Athletic’s Chiefs writer:

He was an excellent baseball player in high school and even considered taking up the sport instead of American football. He also went through a period in HS in which he was a quarterback.

Travis Kelce isn’t getting any younger

Travis Kelce will turn 35 at the end of 2024 and it’s likely that he’ll have fewer and fewer seasons as an NFL player.

That’s why the organization is already thinking about the future of the tight end position and it’s time to develop a young talent to fill Kelce’s shoes in a couple of years.

At 6’6″ and 249 pounds, Wiley has the physique of a beast. His speed is impressive, his hand work is good and he excels at gaining yards after the reception. As he develops, he has everything it takes to be a powerful weapon for Patrick Mahomes.

Jared Wiley’s pros and cons

PROS:

• He’s a great athlete, one of those capable of winning on his physical ability alone at times.
• Reliable hands, he’s had very few drops in his career.
• He’s versatile and lines up well in the slot.

CONS:

• He needs to develop as a blocker, especially in gaps, where he loses intensity.
• Hasn’t shown a great ability to break tackles after reception.

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