Denver Broncos: Ranking the top 4 tight ends in the AFC West

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 6: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs flexes his muscle after a touchdown catch beyond the coverage of inside linebacker Avery Williamson #54 of the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 6, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 6: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs flexes his muscle after a touchdown catch beyond the coverage of inside linebacker Avery Williamson #54 of the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 6, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
1 of 5

The AFC West is loaded with talented players but one position group that doesn’t have as many standout players is tight end. We rank the top four players…

Jeff Heuerman
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 14: Jeff Heuerman #82 of the Denver Broncos makes a catch and runs for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos have struggled to find consistency at the tight end position, but they are not alone when it comes to their peers in the AFC West.

While this division boasts arguably the best pass-catching tight end in the game outside of Rob Gronkowski, it doesn’t have much else with Antonio Gates approaching the age of 40 and not on the Chargers’ roster.

With the Chargers’ assumed replacement Hunter Henry out for the season, the talent at this position in the AFC West has taken a significant hit.

We’re going to attempt to rank the top four players at this position in the division, but some projecting will have to happen here. There are players who have not proven much of anything yet, and some who have proven more than others but don’t have as high of a ceiling.

Will the Broncos have anyone to contend for the top spot on this list by season’s end?

Here’s how we would rank the top four tight ends in the AFC West heading into the season…

Schedule