2024 Best Ball strategy: Why fading Travis Kelce is a must in best ball formats

Instead of "Catching Kelce", I'm fading Kelce this season

By Megan Shoup

Jul 31, 2024 at 10:30 am ET • 1 min read

USATSI

Chiefs' TE Travis Kelce's current ADP on Underdog Fantasy is 38.8. And while that's a much more palatable price than last season in Round 1, I still think he's overpriced in Best Ball this year.

Kelce is turning 35 this season. It's hard to project he'll go back to his 2022 form. This isn't to say I don't think Kelce will have a good season and be valuable to the Chiefs.

But in Best Ball, everything comes down to price. I like other players in that range better, including the RB on his own team, Isiah Pacheco (ADP 39.9).

There are a couple of reasons outside of age to be concerned that Kelce could pay off his price this year. The biggest reason is the Chiefs added two very talented wide receivers in Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy. Kelce is no longer competing for targets with Kardarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Justin Watson. These two receivers will cut into Kelce's target share and red zone target share.

Also, because of his age and the Chiefs likely looking ahead to their postseason aspirations, it would not be shocking if they limited Kelce slightly more in the regular season. They did not have that luxury last year, but they do this year.

Bottom line, while I don't doubt that Kelce will still be valuable to the Chiefs, I'm skeptical he'll be valuable to Best Ball rosters at this price tag.

See the rest of 2024 Best Ball top 250 rankings on SportsLine.