Travis Kelce enters 2026 as the greatest tight end in NFL history—and the question is whether he can maintain elite fantasy production at age 36. The Mahomes connection remains unmatched, but Father Time is undefeated.
The Case For Kelce
The tight end position remains a wasteland outside of elite options. Kelce's positional advantage—scoring like a WR1 while most TEs produce like flex options—makes him uniquely valuable.
- Mahomes trust: No QB-TE connection is more reliable
- Positional scarcity: TE drop-off after TE4 is massive
- Red zone work: Chiefs' primary target inside the 20
- Durability: Hasn't missed significant time in years
The Case Against Kelce
At 36, Kelce is playing on borrowed time by tight end standards. His 2025 production dipped slightly, and any injury could trigger rapid decline.
- Age 36: Ancient for NFL standards
- Declining volume: Targets trending down from peak
- Draft cost: Second-round pick is expensive
- Retirement risk: Could walk away at any point
Draft Strategy
- Target range: Late 1st to early 2nd round
- Value proposition: Positional advantage worth early pick
- Backup plan: Don't draft a backup TE until late
- Alternative: Wait on TE entirely and stream
Positional Advantage Breakdown
The math on Kelce's value is straightforward. Compare his projected output to the typical TE you'd get later:
| Player Tier | ADP | Proj PPR | vs Kelce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | 2.02 | 245 | — |
| TE5 (Round 5) | 5.08 | 165 | -80 pts |
| TE10 (Round 8) | 8.04 | 120 | -125 pts |
| Streaming TE | — | 100 | -145 pts |
Dynasty Value
In dynasty, Kelce is a pure win-now asset with no long-term value. He could retire after any season.
- Contending teams: Strong buy for championship push
- Rebuilding teams: Sell for any 1st round pick offered
- Risk: Value could crater overnight with retirement news
Quick Reference: Travis Kelce
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Position: Tight End
- 2026 ADP: 2.02 (TE1)
- Projection: 245 PPR points
- Best format: All formats (positional advantage)
- Risk level: High (age/retirement)