The NFL draft is finally at hand, and the Chicago Bears are prepared. They’ve collected all the information they possibly can. Now it’s up to GM Ryan Poles to make something happen with it. One position that hasn’t gotten much attention in the weeks leading up to this weekend is tight end. Fans and the media are mostly focused on the offensive line and wide receivers. However, a recent meeting with Chigoziem Okonkwo should remind everybody the team might not be satisfied with that position.
Justin Melo of The Draft Network reported Chicago was one of several teams to meet with the Maryland tight end over the previous couple of weeks. He is not what one would call a traditional player for that position. Okonkwo is only 6’2 and 238 lbs. Hardly somebody that can be viewed in the same image as Cole Kmet. However, his game style is a far better fit for the Bears’ new offense under Luke Getsy than the former 2nd round pick.
#Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo had Top 30 visits with #Ravens, #Broncos, #Saints, #Commanders and #Bears, per source.
Okonkwo is a highly intriguing versatile tight end prosect that can play multiple roles for an NFL offense.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 28, 2022
The Shanahan-style scheme demands a specific kind of tight end.
Size doesn’t matter nearly as much as speed and pass-catching prowess. The two shining examples are Shannon Sharpe and Owen Daniels. Sharpe was a Hall of Famer in Denver, and he was only 6’2. Daniels went to Pro Bowls in Houston. He stood 6’3. It wasn’t their size but their athleticism that made them so dangerous. The offense was able to get them open constantly down the field. This is what Okonkwo, with his 4.52 speed, seems best equipped to do in the NFL.
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Chigoziem Okonkwo:
🐢 51 catches (2nd among Big 10 TEs in 2021)
🐢 5 TDs (2nd)
🐢 4.52 40 yard dash (1st among TEs)pic.twitter.com/daqn72w8ve— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 26, 2022
#Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo looks a lot like Jonnu Smith.
He is a really interesting Day 3 tight end. pic.twitter.com/b84hyMtoO1
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 15, 2022
There is no question he can do two things. Catch the ball and run. Right now the Bears don’t have anybody with that combination. Kmet has great size but not great speed. Jesper Horsted might be a better fit but has never been able to crack the starting lineup. Ryan Griffin and James O’Shaughnessy are career backups. Chigoziem Okonkwo is somebody the team can develop from the beginning in their system. He’ll need to expand his route-running, and Getsy would do well to leave him out of blocking situations.
Still, the fit is obvious. Expectations are that he’ll go somewhere on Day 3 of the draft, so keep an ear out for his name on Saturday.
