The conversation generally drifts one of two directions: offensive line or inside linebacker. When discussing the state of the Kansas City Chiefs roster, both NFL analysts and fans alike will move between both areas of the roster as the primary points of concern. And such points are valid, since there are concerns about quality and/or depth at both positions.
However, there's another position that's woefully thin that no one seems to mind too much: tight end. While the Chiefs boast one of the league's top young tight ends who has yet to reach his ceiling, it's also quite clear that the floor is very, very low when it comes to the overall depth chart.
Travis Kelce just enjoyed his actual rookie season in 2014 after missing his entire first year due to injury, and the Chiefs staff had to be overjoyed at the on-field results. Their scouting report of the Cincinnati product was spot-on as Kelce moved the chains time and again as an athletic target over the middle. The sky is the limit for Kelce who is definitely the most productive (and popular) tight end since the Tony Gonzalez trade.
After that, the goods are complete unknowns on the shelf after Kelce. Anthony Fasano used to occupy the top spot on the depth chart above Kelce as the safe, jack-of-all-trades veteran whose leadership and intangibles made him very valuable to the Chiefs. A team can ill afford to have those sorts of players at every position, especially this current Chiefs roster, so it made sense to jettison Fasano in the offseason, who ultimately landed in Nashville with the Titans.
That said, the leadership mantle now falls squarely on Kelce who's still growing and learning. That's not necessarily a bad thing, since he's heading into his third season with the playbook and coaching staff. However, for a team that's already thin at wideout, they're woefully thin at tight end as well. And if you think the position is fine, please tell the bartender that I'll have what you're having.
Here's a quick rundown of the next options after Kelce, who, not to be a negative Nancy, has already missed a full season due to injury:
Demetrius Harris
Former basketball player. Turned into a real football player. Perfect developmental prospect who now looks the part. Gained the right amount of weight. Diamond in the rough. I've read all of these columns, and I have also Seth's official membership for the Hangin' With Harris Fan Club, which they accidentally mailed to me for some reason. That said, I am unmoved.
Every team has one or two of these players on their roster every offseason. Tony Gonzalez played basketball. So did Jimmy Graham. Therefore, let's project every athletic power forward into a football uniform. Every team's fan base is busy drinking a lot of Kool-Aid in the summer months, but I've refused this glass since it was first offered to me. I just don't get it.
For over two years, we've been touting the potential of Demetrius Harris. I still wouldn't disagree with the potential. But two years later, we're still projecting as much as ever. Now he just had another operation to insert another screw in the foot he broke last November and should be ready by training camp. I hope I am wrong. I also hope this isn't our immediate option after Travis Kelce.
James O'Shaughnessy
It's impossible not to like this kid's potential, particularly after talking to his college coaches. They will, of course, be the ones to give such glowing references, but the coachspeak about his ability to put his head down and follow the program given to him shows great potential to move beyond the rookie learning curve. He's got wide receiver hands and learned during his collegiate career to become a helluva second-level blocker. I'll take it.
That said, he is what he is: a fifth-round selection from a small school who hasn't played a single down of professional football. The number of small school, late round tight ends who never make any impact is a far larger pile than the ones who do. So I'm sorry if I'm not quite comfortable with JOS as anything more than a practice squad player at this stage of his career.
Richard Gordon
Credit Gordon for still being around as one of those late round tight ends, taken by the Oakland Raiders in the 2011 NFL Draft. That said, Gordon has failed to stick in any one place so far -- spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and even the Chiefs during a short stint in 2013.
Gordon just turned 28-years-old and offers some veteran competition as a blocking tight end for the developmental prospects above him. Yet even after a training camp of open competition, it's hard to feel good about the man who comes out on top.
Ryan Taylor
The 27-year-old tight end is a known commodity for John Dorsey since he was a part of the front office who selected him in the 7th round of the same draft that the Raiders took Gordon. Taylor was known for decent hands coming out of North Carolina and he's bounced around to other teams like the Raiders, Browns and Dolphins without any real impact. Perhaps he's got a shot here to make some noise as a complete unknown, but his presence is likely his final pro try if he can't stick on John Dorsey's roster.
Our own Seth Keysor says that it's possible the Chiefs carry four tight ends into the regular season to make up for the lack of reliable options on the depth chart. Only game experience and reps will remove the "developmental" tag from players like Harris and O'Shaughnessy, but with a limited arsenal of pass catchers in the first place, it's hard to stomach the idea of two such projects being so high on the depth chart.
The market doesn't exactly boast a surplus of veterans who could come in and fill in the gap, but if one were to become available, I'd be just fine seeing which of the two promising tight ends looks best in August and hoping the other makes it unclaimed to the practice squad. With a win-now mentality, it's frustrating how low the floor could get at tight end for the Chiefs.