Chiefs News: George Kittle ranked over Travis Kelce in new PFF ranking

On Wednesday, Professional Soccer Focus author John Kosko revealed an article rating the NFL’s prime tight ends — and revived a debate we thought had been settled.

1. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers2. Travis Kelce, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

Let’s begin this listing with controversy.

Kittle was the NFL’s highest-graded tight finish in 2023 at 87.7 total, whereas Kelce completed second at 82.6. Kittle’s run-blocking grade additionally dwarfed Kelce’s, 81.1 to 46.9.

Their total grades over the previous three years are an identical at 91.6. Kelce will get the nod in receiving grade (92.2 vs. 91.4), however Kittle’s grade within the run recreation is much superior (80.8 vs. 56.0).

Ultimately, there may be little doubt who the perfect two tight ends have been over the previous three to 5 years. Kelce’s receiving potential is invaluable to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, whereas Kittle’s total recreation is an ideal match for Kyle Shannahan’s diversified run recreation and play-action move assault.

Takeaway

For a number of years, articles pushing again on the most recent ballot or rating during which Kittle was ranked above Kelce had been a cottage business right here at Arrowhead Pleasure.

However as soon as the Kansas Metropolis tight finish had collected his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season — one thing no different tight finish has even come near doing — it turned fairly uncommon for the San Francisco tight finish to be positioned forward of the pleasure of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Now, although, the 34-year-old Kelce is displaying some indicators of age. This shouldn’t be shocking, as a result of analysts have been predicting it will occur “within the coming season” for about 5 years. Nor ought to we be shocked that when it lastly does occur, PFF rushes to proclaim Kittle as the higher tight finish.

However as Colonel Sherman Potter may need exclaimed in a “M*A*S*H” episode, “Buffalo bagels!”

I’ll acknowledge Kosko’s level: statistically, Kelce’s 2023 season was the worst he had turned in for fairly some time. Lacking the season opener (and voluntarily sitting out the meaningless Week 18 matchup) will try this to you. However in every case, the tight finish’s age performed a job in lacking the sport — and when the season was on the road in the course of the playoffs, Kelce was again to his outdated self.

Kittle has at all times been a greater blocker. As Kosko notes, that makes him an ideal match within the 49ers’ offense. However PFF’s numbers present that Kelce is a way more dependable receiver — and that makes him one thing that Kittle has by no means been: a participant that opposing defenses should scheme to restrict.

So any day of the week (besides Tuesday, on which the Chiefs gained’t play throughout 2024) I’d nonetheless desire Kelce. However due to the circumstances, I’m prepared to bend slightly. Since each are good for his or her respective franchises, I’d have been happier to see Kittle and Kelce tied in first place.