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Big numbers for tight ends

Kelce, Kittle on pace to break Gronkowski's record

In NFL history, only two tight ends have edged past 1,300 yards – Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. With three weeks left, it looks like two tight ends are going to blow by those guys.

Gronk and Graham put together their big seasons back in 2011, when Gronkowski finished with 1,327 yards and Graham went for 1,310. But with a few games left, it looks like both Travis Kelce and George Kittle will exceed those totals.

Kelce is on pace for 1,426 yards. It’s possible he’ll break the tight end record before Kansas City even takes the field for Week 17 (which could be a good thing, with the possibility the team might rest players that week).

Kittle also is on pace to bust the existing record. He’s been a steady performer but just put together the best game of his career, going for 210 yards in the first half against Denver on Sunday. The 49ers inexplicably didn’t get him another 5 yards in the second half which would have allowed him to set the single-game record for tight ends.

Do these tight end care about holding the single-season record for yards? Maybe. Probably. It could make for an interesting final week, when the record could be at stake. Kittle has a late kickoff, so he’ll enter his final game knowing exactly how many yards he needs to get past Kelce.

Three other tight ends are also having huge seasons. Eric Ebron (not listed below) is piling up touchdowns. Zach Ertz is on pace to break the single-season record for catches. And Jared Cook, if form holds, will also make it over 1,000 yards. Only once before have their been four 1,000-yard tight ends in the same season.

On the chart below, the stats for the 2018 players shows where they’re on pace to finish (if continuing to play at their current pace).

1,000-YARD TIGHT ENDS
YearPlayerNoYardsAvgTD
2018Travis Kelce, K.C.1061,42613.512
2018George Kittle, S.F.851,35816.05
2011Rob Gronkowski, N.E.901,32714.718
2011Jimmy Graham, N.O.991,31013.211
1980Kellen Winslow, S.D.891,29014.59
2004Tony Gonzalez, K.C.1021,25812.37
2018Zach Ertz, Phil.1211,25010.47
1983Todd Christensen, Rai.921,24713.612
2013Jimmy Graham, N.O.861,21514.116
1967Jackie Smith, St.L.561,20521.59
2000Tony Gonzalez, K.C.931,20312.99
2015Rob Gronkowski, N.E.721,17616.311
1994Ben Coates, N.E.961,17412.27
2007Tony Gonzalez, K.C.991,17211.85
1983Kellen Winslow, S.D.881,17213.38
2009Antonio Gates, S.D.791,15714.68
1986Todd Christensen, Rai.951,15312.18
2007Jason Witten, Dall.961,14511.97
2016Travis Kelce, K.C.851,12513.24
2014Rob Gronkowski, N.E.821,12413.712
1997Shannon Sharpe, Den.721,10715.43
2009Dallas Clark, Ind.1001,10611.110
2007Kellen Winslow, Clev.821,10613.55
2015Greg Olsen, Car.771,10414.37
2005Antonio Gates, S.D.891,10112.410
2015Delanie Walker, Tenn.941,08811.66
2017Rob Gronkowski, N.E.691,08415.78
1961Mike Ditka, Chi.561,07619.212
1981Kellen Winslow, S.D.881,07512.210
2016Greg Olsen, Car.801,07313.43
1996Shannon Sharpe, Den.801,06213.310
2008Tony Gonzalez, K.C.961,05811.010
2015Gary Barnidge, Clev.791,04313.29
2012Jason Witten, Dall.1101,0399.43
2017Travis Kelce, K.C.831,03812.58
2009Jason Witten, Dall.941,03011.02
2018Jared Cook, Oak.751,01513.57
1994Shannon Sharpe, Den.871,01011.64
2014Greg Olsen, Car.841,00812.06
1984Todd Christensen, Rai.801,00712.67
1981Joe Senser, Minn.791,00412.78
2010Jason Witten, Dall.941,00210.79
1981Ozzie Newsome, Clev.691,00214.56
1986Mark Bavaro, NYG661,00115.24
1984Ozzie Newsome, Clev.891,00111.25

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index