Travis Kelce was the first tight end drafted in ESPN Fantasy Football leagues last year, with an average draft position of 17.2. In some leagues, he was selected at the end of the first round. After another great season in 2019 and with the Kansas City Chiefs' offense expected to be dynamic once again, where should Kelce be taken this year? And should he still be the first tight end off the board? We had a summit to discuss these questions.
The ESPN Fantasy Football virtual summit highlighted many key storylines as we look forward to 2020 fantasy football drafts. Our composite rankings, which will be updated throughout the offseason, are always a great starting point for fantasy owners as they prepare for draft day.
To give you a peek behind the curtain of some of our best discussions, we introduce our fantasy football roundtable series. Each entry will feature members of our ESPN Fantasy team offering their analysis on the hottest topics that came out of this year's summit, which hopefully will get you thinking about how you want to approach your drafts in the months ahead.
When should the first TE come off the board?
Stephania Bell: If I'm taking a TE early, it will be George Kittle late in the second round or early in the third (and I'll take him after the first person to reach for a tight end predictably drafts Travis Kelce). Call it my 49ers bias, if you like, but look at 2018, when Kelce and Kittle both played in all 16 games: On 25 fewer receptions, Kittle had more total yards, reflecting the superb YAC benefits he brings to the table.
Matthew Berry: I have Travis Kelce at 18th overall in my top 100, so late second round. Kelce doesn't have the upside of the elite RBs or WRs, but you can't ignore his floor. Four straight seasons as TE1, and in each of the past three, Kelce has finished inside the top 25 among all RBs, WRs and TEs in points per game. It's not a sexy a pick, but it's about as safe as it gets.
Matt Bowen: Third round at pick 21, and it's Travis Kelce for me. Last season, Kelce led all tight ends in receptions (97), targets (134) and receiving yards (1,229). He is a prime option for quarterback Patrick Mahomes in an explosive Chiefs offense that creates favorable matchups for the tight end.
Mike Clay: Kelce is 20th overall on my board, so near the Round 2/3 turn is the hot spot. This positions the four-time No. 1 overall fantasy tight end behind feature backs such as Joe Mixon and Josh Jacobs, but ahead of borderline WR1s such as Kenny Golladay and DJ Moore.
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Second round, as I have Travis Kelce 15th overall on my board. I'd consider him as early as 12th, but I think there are six to eight players each at running back and wide receiver who must take priority this year. One of the reasons I will likely wait at tight end, though, is that -- like last year -- I see a lot of breakout-candidate tight ends to target in the later rounds.
Daniel Dopp: Any of those four picks at the second-round/third-round turn is perfect (so, picks 19-22). By the time you get to the back end of the second, you'll have a good feel for how the draft is shaking out. Combine Kelce's high floor and equally high upside in a Mahomes-led offense and positional scarcity makes that the ideal range.
Eric Karabell: Early in Round 3 -- let's say picks 22/23 -- feels about right, depending on which top RBs and WRs are left. The picks are Travis Kelce and George Kittle, closer in value than people realize, but chances are I will let others make those picks. I feel that's the right spot in a 12-team format, as well, though this season I will ensure I have a top-10 tight end in those leagues.
Field Yates: Any time from the middle of the second round on seems about right to me, as I understand the appetite for some to "win" the tight end matchup every week by securing Travis Kelce. There's such incredible depth at wide receiver this year that if I were the one to take a tight end first in my league, it would have to be in a scenario where I have already drafted a running back and can tap into the wide receiver depth later.