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Erik Salveson makes the case for Dalton Kincaid as the next great pass-catching tight end in the NFL.
If you're a fan of the NFL, you know that Travis Kelce is a beast. He's not only the best tight end in the league, but he might also be the best to ever play the position.
His size, speed, route-running, and hands are a nightmare matchup for any defense. He's also a leader and a winner, helping the Chiefs win a Super Bowl and reach another one.
But as great as Kelce is, he's not getting any younger, and he admitted that retirement is on his mind. So, who will take over the throne of the TE king when Kelce hangs up his cleats?
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A New Crop of Young Tight Ends
The league has many talented young tight ends, from Luke Musgrave to Michael Mayer to Sam LaPorta. But one rookie is the potential heir to Kelce's legacy. That player is the Buffalo Bills' Dalton Kincaid.
Kincaid is currently overshadowed by another rookie tight end, Detroit's Sam LaPorta. LaPorta has been having a phenomenal season. But don't sleep on Kincaid because he has some impressive stats and could be even better next year.
Why do I say that? Well, let me break it down for you. Kincaid has 22 fewer targets than LaPorta, but he's been just as efficient with his opportunities. He averages 4.1 yards after catch per reception, almost the same as LaPorta's 4.2. He also has a lower drop rate, with only 3.1% of his targets hitting the ground, compared to LaPorta's 5.8%.
Kincaid scored four fewer touchdowns than LaPorta, but that could always change. Touchdowns are often unpredictable and depend on factors such as red zone usage and luck. Kincaid could see more scoring chances next year, especially if Stefon Diggs leaves the Bills.
The Case for Kincaid
That's right, I said it. Stefon Diggs might not be a Bill for much longer. His brother Trevon Diggs, who plays for the Cowboys, recently tweeted that his brother deserves better than Josh Allen and the Bills. That sounds like trouble to me. Diggs was unhappy in Minnesota before he got traded to Buffalo, and he might be down again. If Diggs demands a trade, that will open a massive opportunity for Kincaid to become Allen's go-to guy.
And let me tell you something: Josh Allen is a better quarterback than Jared Goff. I know Allen has had a rough season this year, but he's still a young and talented passer who can make all the throws and run with the ball. He was an MVP candidate last year and could bounce back next year with a weapon like Kincaid. Allen and Kincaid could form a dynamic duo like Mahomes and Kelce did in Kansas City.
There you have it, my case for why Dalton Kincaid is the next Travis Kelce. He has all the tools to become a star in this league: size, speed, hands, route-running, and toughness. Just get him more targets and touchdowns to show it. And he could get both of those things next year if Diggs leaves and Allen improves. Don't be surprised if Kincaid breaks out in 2024 and becomes the best TE in the NFL.
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