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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson has been rising through the ranks over the past few years, first entering the league as a developmental UDFA out of Valdosta State University in 2019.
The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher didn’t factor in a regular season game until 2021 — catching two touchdowns and three first downs — but he took another nice step forward in 2022. Fortson was targeted by Patrick Mahomes II 13 times last year, with nine catches for 108 yards and another two touchdowns.
More importantly, he logged a career-high 184 snaps on offense with another 181 on special teams. It’s been a slow grind for Fortson — who recently voiced that he’s ready for a larger role in 2023 — but KC media insider Pete Sweeney relayed an intriguing minicamp development on the third-string TE on June 14.
“CB Jaylen Watson broke up a Mahomes pass to TE Jody Fortson in the EZ [endzone] during 11s [11-on-11 drills], but Fortson quickly came back to score moments later on a pass from [Blaine] Gabbert,” the Arrowhead Pride reported tweeted. “He high-pointed another ball later during the workout, and he looks healthy as ever.”
Sweeney added that “fans should be excited about [No.] 88” — which is Fortson.
Chiefs’ Jody Fortson Keeps Finding Ways to Stand Out in Crowded TE Room
Fortson is now a two-time Super Bowl champion heading into his age-27 campaign, and he’s earned each of those rings.
Head coach Andy Reid fields one of the deepest tight end rosters in the NFL. Even making the team is an accomplishment, but sticking with the organization for four years and turning yourself into a weekly contributor is even more impressive.
Having said that, there’s still plenty of competition for Fortson between unquestioned starter Travis Kelce, talented 2021 draft pick Noah Gray, veteran blocking tight end Blake Bell, and promising youngsters like Matt Bushman and Kendall Blanton. That training camp battle should bring out the best in Fortson, as well as the others, but his strengths are more unique than most.
Fortson has improved as a blocker over time, and his height and length in the red zone create matchup problems for opposing defenses. That factor alone bodes well for the KC veteran who has steadily risen in production every season since joining the organization.
We’ll see if that trend continues in 2023 — 108 receiving yards being the mark to beat.
Chiefs Analyst Details Jody Fortson’s ‘Elite’ Run-Blocking in 2022
As mentioned above, Fortson’s ability as a blocker has made some major strides in recent years. USA Today Chiefs Wire reporter Charles Goldman even referred to his 2022 run-blocking as “elite” on May 30.
“In 2021, Fortson appeared on the field for just 15 run-blocking snaps in Kansas City,” Goldman informed. “He saw more than quadruple the run-blocking snaps the following season.”
Continuing: “Among tight ends with 80 or more run-blocking snaps in 2022, Fortson managed the eighth-highest run-blocking grade in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Over 60% of his run-blocking snaps came on zone running schemes, while just under 20% of his snaps came on gap/power schemes.”
Goldman also noted that this led to Coach Reid activating Fortson in favor of Bell in the AFC championship game and the Super Bowl.
“Given that the Chiefs played one of the highest rates of 12- and 13-personnel looks in 2022, it’s reasonable to expect that Fortson could find himself on the field even more in 2023,” he concluded. More reason to be “excited” for year five.
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