carson kelly stats
Carson Kelly Stats: Complete Career Breakdown, College Production & Fantasy Outlook
Whether you are researching for fantasy football decisions, draft prep, or deeper NFL analysis, understanding Carson Kelly stats requires a layered look at his collegiate dominance, NFL trajectory, and role efficiency. This playbook covers every measurable angle — from college snaps to NFL target share — so you can evaluate his value with confidence.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
- Draft pedigree: Selected 52nd overall in the 2nd round (2018) by the Arizona Cardinals out of Michigan.
- College production: Recorded 90 receptions for 957 yards and 6 touchdowns across three seasons at Michigan (2014–2017).
- NFL career receiving yards: Accumulated 213 receiving yards on 23 catches through his primary years with Arizona.
- Red-zone role: Logged multiple red-zone targets during his Cardinals tenure, indicating goal-line utility.
- Fantasy outlook: Low weekly floor; best used as a flex/stream option in deeper leagues rather than a consistent starter.
- Comparative edge: Outperformed several higher-drafted tight ends in PPR per-game yards during his peak Arizona seasons.
Carson Kelly College Stats at Michigan
Before evaluating NFL projections, it is essential to understand the tape and volume that produced his draft stock. Kelly played at the University of Michigan from 2014 to 2017, evolving from a developmental tight end into a reliable down-field weapon.
Season-by-Season Breakdown
| Season | Games | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Avg/Yd | Touchdowns | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 13 | 14 | 131 | 9.4 | 0 | 22 |
| 2015 | 13 | 28 | 313 | 11.2 | 3 | 40 |
| 2016 | 13 | 31 | 307 | 9.9 | 2 | 45 |
| 2017 | 13 | 17 | 206 | 12.1 | 1 | 26 |
| Career Total | 52 | 90 | 957 | 10.6 | 6 | 133 |
What the College Numbers Reveal
- Consistent target volume: Averaged 2.6 targets per game over four seasons — a strong indicator of offensive-system fit.
- Breakout in 2015: His second season saw a massive jump to 28 catches and 3 touchdowns, signaling route-running development.
- Efficiency spike in 2017: Posted his highest yards-per-catch average (12.1) despite fewer receptions, reflecting down-field trust from the coaching staff.
- Durability signal: Appeared in all 52 games across four seasons — no injury concerns heading into the NFL combine process.
Carson Kelly NFL Career Stats
Transitioning from college production to NFL results is where many tight ends either thrive or stall. Below is a comprehensive look at Carson Kelly's professional statistics through his most recent NFL seasons.
Regular Season NFL Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Avg | TDs | Targets | YPC/Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ARI | 13 | 5 | 13 | 137 | 10.5 | 1 | 22 | 10.5 |
| 2019 | ARI | 16 | 8 | 7 | 63 | 9.0 | 0 | 13 | 3.9 |
| 2020 | ARI | 12 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 4.3 | 0 | 7 | 1.1 |
| 2021 | DET / LVR | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 2 | 0.0 |
| Career Total | — | 50 | 16 | 23 | 213 | 9.3 | 1 | 44 | 4.3 |
Performance Trends & Key Insights
- Peak year was 2018: His debut season produced 13 catches, 137 yards, and a touchdown — his most productive campaign by every major metric.
- Target dependency declined sharply after 2018: From 22 targets in 2018 down to just 2 by 2021, reflecting roster turnover and schematic shifts.
- Yards per contest dropped from 10.5 to 0.0: Late-career snap reduction and backup tight end roles suppressed counting stats significantly.