Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray figures to handle increased volume with the team resting key players in Week 18 versus the Los Angeles Chargers. Patrick Mahomes and Isiah Pacheco (quadricep, shoulder) are both expected to be sidelined, and it's likely that Kelce will have a drastically reduced workload, too. With Kelce earning fewer opportunities, Gray should handle additional snaps and targets. He's not nearly a reliable option in a typical 12-team league, though he does rank as a fringe TE2 this week.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray caught 3-of-5 targets for 31 yards in Thursday's 21-20 loss to the Detroit Lions. The 24-year-old generated quite a bit of sudden buzz heading into this meeting with Travis Kelce (knee) out, and he resembled the latter a bit during a 24-yard catch-and-run to end the third quarter. Gray tied with Kadarius Toney and Rashee Rice for the team lead in targets, but he can be safely jettisoned to waiver wires if Kelce comes off the injury report ahead of Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Otherwise, Gray could be back in the touchdown-reliant TE1 conversation if Kelce cannot make it back.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray appears in line for an expanded role depending on the availability of Travis Kelce (knee) for Week 1. The 24-year-old Gray recorded 28 receptions for 299 yards and one touchdown in 2022 playing behind Kelce. Gray could be called upon as a fill-in starter for Thursday's opener if Kelce is unable to play or facing restrictions if active. The matchup is inviting after the Detroit Lions defense permitted the second-most touchdowns to TEs (11) last season. Gray, a former fifth-round pick, would serve as an emergency option for TE1 desperados and DFS plug and play as a decent bet to find the end zone in the event that Kelce is ruled out. But fantasy managers would be wise to search elsewhere for a streamer otherwise, as Gray would be tough to trust if Kelce doesn't sit.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray finished the 2022-2023 regular season with just 28 receptions for 299 yards and one touchdown, but could see additional opportunities in the team's AFC Championship showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals. Although Travis Kelce (back) practiced in full on Friday, he is currently listed as questionable on Kansas City's injury report. It's hard to imagine Kelce missing a contest of this magnitude, but if he is limited in any capacity, it could clear a path for Gray to earn more touches, especially near the goal line. He's far from reliable, but Gray could be worth a dart throw in DFS lineups as his cheap salary can allow players to pay up at other positions.
Kansas City Chiefs rookie tight end Noah Gray, a fifth-round draft pick this year, has impressed the team this offseason with his smarts, pass-catching and route-running. Gray could see a significant amount of playing time in 2021 as the Chiefs look to keep All-Pro Travis Kelce fresh over the 17-game season, both as Kelce's replacement and in multiple-tight end formations. The 22-year-old from Duke has a real chance to be Kelce's direct backup if he can carry over his performances from this spring into training camp at the end of July. Kelce even said Gray is "years ahead of being a rookie," which speaks to his maturity. While Gray won't be relevant in single-year formats unless Kelce misses time with an injury, he's a fine dynasty/keeper target at the position in this Chiefs offense.
With the 162nd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have selected tight end Noah Gray. Obviously, Kansas City isn't a great landing spot for any tight end since they have the league's best one in Travis Kelce, but Gray will have a chance to play in two tight end sets if he can improve as a blocker. He's an athletic pass catcher who had 51 catches in 2019, leading the Blue Devils. Gray can also line up in the backfield and the slot, which could help him get some snaps on a team that could use additional receiver help. Overall, he's an interesting prospect who probably won't have fantasy appeal.
