Who is Noah Gray? Noah Ryan Gray is an American professional football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. Born on April 30, 1999, in Leominster, Massachusetts, Gray's journey from high school standout to Super Bowl champion is nothing short of inspiring. He played multiple positions in high school, showcasing his versatility early on. At Duke University, he continued to excel, eventually finding his niche as a tight end. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18, Gray has not let this challenge hinder his career. Drafted by the Chiefs in 2021, he has already contributed to two Super Bowl victories.
Key Takeaways:
- Versatile Journey: Noah Gray's transition from wide receiver to quarterback to tight end showcases his adaptability and potential for success in the NFL, despite facing challenges like type 1 diabetes.
- Super Bowl Champion: Gray's athleticism and contributions have led to two Super Bowl victories with the Kansas City Chiefs, making him a valuable asset with room for growth in fantasy football.
Early Life and High School Achievements
Noah Gray's journey to the NFL began in Massachusetts, where he showcased his versatility and talent in high school.
- Early Life: Born on April 30, 1999, in Leominster, Massachusetts, Noah Ryan Gray grew up in Gardner, Massachusetts.
- High School Positions: At Leominster High School, Gray played multiple positions, starting as a wide receiver, then switching to quarterback for a season, and finally returning to wide receiver by his senior year.
- Junior Year Stats: As a junior, he completed 101 of 179 passes for 1,707 yards and 21 touchdowns.
- Senior Year Stats: In his senior year, he caught 30 passes for 619 yards and eight touchdowns, earning first-team All-State honors.
College Career at Duke University
Gray's college career at Duke University saw him transition through several positions before finding his home as a tight end.
- College Commitment: Gray chose Duke University over offers from Temple and Appalachian State.
- Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis: Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 18 during his freshman year, Gray didn't let this hinder his athletic career.
- Position Changes: He started as a wide receiver, then became a quarterback for a season, before finally settling into the tight end position.
- College Stats: Over four seasons at Duke, Gray recorded 105 receptions for 948 yards and eight touchdowns.
- Junior Year Honors: Named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation in his junior year.
- Senior Year Watchlist: Entered his senior year on the watchlist for the Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in college football.
NFL Draft and Early Professional Career
Gray's transition to the NFL began with his selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 NFL Draft.
- NFL Draft: The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Gray in the fifth round (162nd overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
- Rookie Contract: Signed a four-year rookie contract with the Chiefs on May 13, 2021.
- Professional Debut: Made his professional debut on September 12, 2021, against the Baltimore Ravens.
- Rookie Season Stats: Appeared in all 16 games, starting one, and finished with seven receptions for 36 receiving yards and one touchdown.
- Snap Count: Played on 25.1% of the Chiefs' offensive snaps and ran 93 routes in his rookie season.
- Target Share: Commanded a 1.7% target share, catching seven of his ten targets.
Super Bowl Success and Continued Growth
Gray's career with the Chiefs has been marked by significant achievements, including two Super Bowl victories.
- 2022 Season: Appeared in all 17 games, starting eight, and finished with 28 receptions for 299 receiving yards and one touchdown.
- Super Bowl LVII: Became a Super Bowl champion when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, contributing one reception for six yards in the game.
- 2023 Season: Appeared in all 17 games, finishing with 28 receptions for 305 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
- Super Bowl LVIII: Won his second straight Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers, with two receptions for 22 yards in the game.
Athletic Profile and Versatility
Gray's athleticism and versatility have been key factors in his success on the field.
- Height and Weight: Stands at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall and weighs 240 pounds (109 kg).
- 40-Yard Dash: Demonstrated above-average athleticism with an 80th percentile 40-yard dash time of 4.67 seconds.
- Wingspan: Possesses a 59th percentile wingspan of 10.04 inches.
- Position Switches: His ability to switch positions from wide receiver to quarterback to tight end showcases his versatility.
Recent Performance and Future Potential
Gray continues to grow as a player, contributing to the Chiefs' success and showing potential for future achievements.
- 2024 Season Stats: In the 2024 season, appeared in eight games, starting four, with 17 receptions for 208 yards.
- Longest Reception: His longest reception in the 2024 season is 29 yards.
- Postseason Performance: Played in 10 postseason games, with five starts, and has 13 receptions for 117 yards.
- Game Log: Notable performances in the 2024 season include four receptions for 66 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers and four receptions for 40 yards against the Tennessee Titans.
- Drop Rate: Despite a low target volume, his drop rate was 20% in 2021, with two drops among his ten targets.
- Fantasy Football Impact: As a backup tight end behind Travis Kelce, Gray's fantasy football potential is intriguing, given his versatility and room for growth.
Noah Gray: A Rising Star in the NFL
Noah Gray's journey from high school standout to NFL tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs showcases his talent and determination. Growing up in Gardner, Massachusetts, he excelled in multiple positions before committing to Duke University. At Duke, he switched from wide receiver to quarterback, finally finding his niche as a tight end. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Gray quickly made his mark. His rookie season saw him contribute to the Chiefs' offense, and by 2022, he was a key player in their Super Bowl LVII victory. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18, Gray's resilience is inspiring. With impressive athleticism and versatility, he continues to grow in the NFL. As of 2024, he's an active player, contributing significantly to the Chiefs' success. Noah Gray's future in the league looks bright, promising more achievements ahead.
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