The tight end position has evolved throughout the history of the NFL. Each season, tight ends become more and more important to their teams. Before we get into the best AFC West tight ends, let’s take a look at the best to play the position from both past and present.
Top 10 All-Time Best AFC West Tight Ends
- Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Kellen Winslow (San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers)
- Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Antonio Gates (San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers)
- Shannon Sharpe (Denver Broncos)
- Dave Casper (Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders)
- Julius Thomas (Denver Broncos)
- John Mackey (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Fred Arbanas (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Willie Frazer (San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers)
Key Metrics for Evaluating Tight Ends
Evaluating the tight end position has changed over time. Football has evolved and tight ends are becoming more important to the offense. It is not uncommon for a quarterback to treat the tight end as a safety valve.
Evaluating a tight end isn’t as much about blocking as it once was. Now, teams expect their top tight end to become essential weapons for their quarterbacks. Yards, catches, receiving touchdowns, yards per catch, yards after the catch, and more are all considered when choosing the best tight ends in the game.
Top Tight Ends in the AFC West
Each team treats the position differently. Some – the Chiefs – put a greater priority on tight end than a team like the Chargers. Having said that, let’s take a look at the top guys on each roster and how they contribute to their teams each season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce is the king of the division. Even in a down year, he recorded 984 yards and 5 touchdowns. He had seven straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons ahead of that and will be back to keep adding to his daunting career totals for the Super Bowl champions.
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas had Michael Mayer yet added first-round pick Brock Bowers to the mix. Bowers’ rookie season will be highly anticipated given his dynamic ability at the University of Georgia. The team needs to get more dynamic on offense and Bowers fits the bill.
With Davante Adams at receiver, the team will have a much different offense than a year ago. If everyone can stay healthy, Las Vegas could have one of the best tight end duos in the game.
Raiders TE Brock Bowers is going to be a PROBLEM for defenses 😳
pic.twitter.com/LCkbEn58kP— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) June 16, 2024
Los Angeles Chargers
A year ago, Gerald Everett was the main tight end with 51 catches for 411 yards. Gerald Everett is gone and both Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst are in to make the position a bit more solid under new coach Jim Harbaugh.
It was thought that a rookie would be added to the mix, but the Chargers went offensive line with their first-round pick in the NFL Draft. QB Justin Herbert needs a solid option to emerge from this group.
#Chargers sign TE Will Dissly to a 3 year deal worth $14 million. Solid pickup for Greg Roman’s offense. Him & Herbert will be a nice connection on playaction pic.twitter.com/TU8wDG6AEY
— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) March 12, 2024
Denver Broncos
Gone is Chris Manhertz. Adam Trautman and Greg Dulcich remain. Many felt that Greg Dulcich could be a surprising player last year, but he’s battling injury. The Broncos and Chargers are definitely a tier below Las Vegas and Kansas City in the tight end rankings.
Happy Birthday to No. 8⃣0⃣ @Greg_Dulcich! The Denver Broncos drafted Dulcich—a TE—in the 2022 3rd round. He has dealt with serious hamstring injuries for two seasons, but shown promise as a downfield, vertical passing game threat, which Denver desperately needs in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Jw147EhSPa
— Mile High Moments (@MileHighMoments) March 26, 2024
Comparative Analysis of AFC West Tight Ends
Right now, there is a clear disparity in the division. The Chiefs have the proven guy in Kelce. Las Vegas has a tantalizing duo of young tight ends that could prove to be a dynamic pairing. Then there are the Chargers and Broncos.
Right now, the latter teams are struggling through a change in direction. The Broncos are trying to find a quarterback. The Chargers are trying to find new talent to replace departed players like Keenan Allen. It will be a test to find a guy that can stand out this season.
Historical Perspective
The AFC West has had its share of historically great tight ends. Shannon Sharpe was a dominant, flamboyant receiver for the Broncos through the end of the 1990s. Tony Gonzalez was a first-round pick in 1997 and became arguably the greatest tight end ever.
In the 2000s, Antonio Gates of the Chargers helped the position to evolve. He played basketball in college and had a surprising career as an elite tight end in the NFL. There are great old school tight ends like John Mackey, Kellen Winslow, Dave Casper, and others who paved the way before them.
The Role of Tight Ends in Modern Offenses
Tight end is critical in today’s league. In the AFC, the Chiefs have garnered an advantage with the ball because of the matchup problems that the position presents. The division is catching up to the Chiefs as Kelce continues to age, especially the Las Vegas Raiders and their duo of dynamic rookie tight ends.
Tight ends can split out as an extra receiver, line up on the offensive line, block, run fakes, and more. It is confusing to the defense and makes life tough on the opposing team. Perhaps no position in football has evolved as quickly as tight end.
Final Thoughts
Tight end in the AFC West is in good hands. Even after Kelce has moved on, the Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers all have talented players on the roster. The rookie class is strong this year and there is no telling which surprise will pop up and have a great career. For now, however, the AFC West belongs to Kelce and the Chiefs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the best tight end in the AFC West?
Without a doubt, the best tight end in the AFC West is Travis Kelce of the Chiefs. The 34-year-old has dominated the position in the division for years and has arguably been the best in the league as well.
How do AFC West tight ends compare to tight ends in other divisions?
With guys like Travis Kelce and Darren Waller, the tight end position was strong in the AFC West division. The Chargers and Broncos have added guys to their roster in the offseason in an effort to help their quarterbacks and the passing game, plus the Raiders now have the dynamic Brock Bowers, the team’s first-round pick.
Which AFC West team relies most on their tight end?
Easily the Chiefs. Kelce is a vital part of the Chiefs offense, especially in the red zone. Given that he is one of the best tight ends in the NFL, it makes sense to keep going back to him. He provides an advantage to his quarterback that few others can.
Who are the upcoming stars in the tight end position in the AFC West?
Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are certainly worth watching. Adam Trautman and Greg Dulcich will compete for reps for the Broncos and head coach Sean Payton, who employed the tight end well with quarterback Drew Brees in New Orleans.
