Arguably the most colorful player on the Kansas City Chiefs last season was tight end Travis Kelce.
He was never afraid to show his personality with his showman mantra, but he was also never afraid to show opposing defenses what a blossoming elite young tight end looked like either.
He led all NFL tight ends with 512 yards after the catch last season and for the Chiefs, he led in receptions (67) and yards (862) and tied for most touchdowns (5).
He was listed as one of ESPN Insider's "rising young NFL stars."
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Here are the top five plays from Kelce this season:
5. First career touchdown reception in Miami (1:35 in 2Q)
With the Chiefs leading 7-0 late in the first half, they faced a third-and-2 from the Dolphins 20-yard line.
It was then that quarterback Alex Smith hit Kelce on a short crossing route that he was able to turn up the field.
While most NFL tight ends can make this catch across the middle, the athleticism that Kelce showed after the catch to get into the end zone is what many don't possess. He turned up the field and dove for the pylon in the front corner of the end zone and then finished his touchdown with style.
Kelce showed us the Shmoney dance as he celebrated in the end zone.
Kelce Schmoney Dance https://t.co/bAiXjnP4eS — Carrington Harrison (@cdotharrison) September 21, 2014
4. 26-yard reception in Arizona (3:10 in 1Q)
On this play, Kelce outran the better young players on the Arizona Cardinals defense.
Kelce caught the ball across the middle against safety Tony Jefferson, who ranked fourth in tackles for the Cardinals defense (one of the better units in the NFL) and then simply beat him up the field and around the edge.
At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, players aren't supposed to be outrunning defensive backs to pick up chunk yards like Kelce did on this play.
It was plays just like this that display the athleticism that allowed Kelce to lead the NFL in yards after the catch among tight ends.
3. 20-yard reception in Denver (third-and-18 – 13:51 in 3Q)
With the Chiefs trailing 21-10 early in the third quarter, Kelce made a huge play for the offense on third-and-18 to extend the drive.
While Alex Smith had to buy some time in the pocket because there weren't any open receivers initially, as soon as he worked back to the opposite side of the field, Kelce found an open spot in the coverage and made a nice play along the sidelines.
While it's a play that could have soon been forgotten because the Chiefs ended up losing the game, when they needed a big play way back in Week 2 on third-and-long, Kelce's name was called and he answered.
Kelce had a team-high 81 yards receiving in the loss.
2. 27-yard reception at home against Tennessee (11:48 in 2Q)
It was one thing for Kelce to make plays and create a buzz for himself because of what he was doing at training camp and throughout the preseason. But once the regular season started, Chiefs fans wanted to see him perform when it counted.
That's exactly what he did on this next play in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans.
When you hear people talk about "tight ends stretching the defense," this is the exact kind of play they're talking about.
Kelce ran a vertical route down the field off a double move. It's great to see how Kelce turned his head inside before breaking out on his route because that is what affected the defenders trying to stay with him and also kept the single-high safety honest.
1. 17-yard reception at home against St. Louis (12:55 in 2Q)
With the Rams holding a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, Kelce put a move on defensive back E.J. Gaines on a third-down catch just outside the red zone. He lined up wide right and caught the ball on a short square in, but then he faked a spin move to the outside before breaking up the field off his inside shoulder.
That move tricked Gaines, who went airborne off his outside shoulder as Kelce broke up the field towards the end zone.
The move was coined the "dream shake" by the Kansas City Star's Terez Paylor and Kelce was called down at the half-yard line after his run after the catch.
It's one of the most memorable plays of Kelce's young career, which should be full of many more highlights over the next few years.
Photos of Travis Kelce's best plays in 2014.
