NFL and importance of the tight end

[tom1944]

I noticed that the really good NFL teams have a very good tight end.

Is the tight end the reason teams are good or are good teams the reason tight end is good?

I just saw there is a rumor Chicago is thinking about trading Fields to Atlanta for Pitts and a draft pick.

 

[ashokan]

A good TE is useful for exploiting weaknesses in zone defenses (Kelce good at that)
The better the QB and WRs the better the TE can be
KC likes to flood zones with deep, middle and short field receivers on the same side of the field.
That stretches most zone defenses and can leave the TE with more space in the weak spots like flats (short and cloud) and middle hole (the border between the LBs and secondary can be loose).
A good TE in a good passing team can be a great rescue receiver if QB in trouble

We rarely see Kelce long - he's best in the flats and cloud flats (further up the sideline).
Having a good QB and WRs (and a good OL) really opens the shorter passes (especially in cover 3+ -cover 2 better for short passes but leaves deep passes open more).

With Rutgers you usually see Dremel in the flats/cloud flats or in the hole going over the loose middle. He's easier to see and can catch the ball alone more. Wimsatt likes that area