The Facts: Kelce emerged as a pass-catching, playmaking, mini-Gronkowski last season, but the Kansas City Chiefs tight end expects much more in 2015. "In my mind, the sky is the limit," Kelce said Wednesday.
Diehards Line:
As NFL.com's Mark Sessler notes, with Anthony Fasano out the door for Tennessee, Kelce is primed for a starting role this season after playing just 66.6 of the team's offensive snaps in 2014. He lit up Wednesday's practice catching five of the first 10 passes thrown. "I come in and take the role, it's as simple as that," Kelce said, per the team's official website. "It's not like it's a hidden secret or anything. I'm probably the most comfortable in the offense for being on the field for an entire year." Last season essentially served as Kelce's rookie campaign after 2013 was lost to microfracture knee surgery. Tight ends rarely make noise on the field right away, but the Chiefs pass-catcher flashed moments of insane athleticism last autumn, hauling down 67 passes for 862 yards and five scores. By midseason, Kelce was the team's most intriguing weapon on offense beyond Jamaal Charles. Adding wideout Jeremy Maclin eases some of the pressure, but Sessler reminds readers that wideouts have traditionally underwhelmed in Andy Reid's Alex Smith-led offense. The tight end position is set up for major numbers, especially considering Kelce's freakish 6-5, 260-pound build. It's going to make Kelce an appealing prospect come draft days.