Travis Kelce Falls to No. 10 on ESPN’s Post-Catch List Despite Elite RAC Numbers

Travis Kelce has slipped to No. 10 on ESPN’s latest post-catch rankings, despite finishing 2025 as the NFL’s leader in yards after contact. The drop comes after a dominant run in which Kelce averaged 5.2 yards after the catch per reception, ranking first among tight ends.

What happened?

ESPN’s Football Power Index staff released their updated post-catch efficiency list on July 15, 2026. The rankings measure yards gained after the first defender makes contact, excluding forced missed tackles. Kelce’s elite run-after-catch numbers-he led all tight ends with 412 yards after contact in 2025-weren’t enough to crack the top five. The Chiefs tight end now sits behind players like George Kittle and Darren Waller, who ranked higher in overall efficiency metrics.

Why it matters for Travis Kelce

Kelce’s placement reflects a shift in ESPN’s methodology. The list now weighs volume alongside efficiency, penalizing players who rack up yards but don’t convert them into first downs or touchdowns. Kelce’s 12.4% touchdown rate after contact lagged behind the league average for tight ends, per ESPN’s data. His 2025 season still stands as one of the best for a tight end in yards after contact, but the ranking exposes a gap between raw production and advanced impact.

How Kelce stacks up against the top nine

The players ahead of Kelce on the list skew toward pass-catchers with higher target volumes and lower interception rates. Kelce’s 2025 season saw him finish with 97 receptions for 1,229 yards, but his post-catch efficiency score of 2.8 ranked outside the top tier. For comparison, George Kittle’s 3.4 score placed him at No. 3, while Darren Waller’s 3.1 score landed him at No. 5. Kelce’s drop isn’t a reflection of decline-it’s a reflection of how the league now measures value beyond the catch.

What comes next for Kelce

Kelce remains the Chiefs’ top tight end and a key red-zone weapon heading into training camp. The drop on ESPN’s list won’t change his role, but it adds fuel to the debate over how best to quantify a receiver’s value. Kelce’s 2026 training camp will be closely watched for any adjustments in his route-running or blocking that could boost his advanced metrics. The tight end has already hinted at refining his after-catch vision, telling reporters last month he’s working on “reading defenders better to extend plays.” For now, Kelce’s legacy as a yards-after-contact machine remains intact-even if the rankings tell a slightly different story.