When discussing Chicago Bears draft needs, the same positions will come up first. Offensive line, defensive line, and wide receivers. Fans and experts will debate the order. Either way, it’s obvious the team must get better in those areas. However, it’s important to remember that sometimes a draft doesn’t cooperate with your most pressing needs. Sometimes the best thing to do is to take the top player on your board, even if he might be at a position you don’t necessarily see as a priority. Nobody thought Ryan Poles would prioritize safety last year with one of his first two picks. Yet it’s hard to say Jaquan Brisker was a bad decision.
That is why it might be wise to keep every position group in mind once the draft shifts to the 2nd and 3rd rounds. One that experts seem excited about is the tight ends. Current projections show five potential players should end up going in the top 100 this year. It’s a deep and diverse group. That is before you dig further down and notice other names with tons of upside. While the Bears may like where Cole Kmet is trending, that doesn’t mean they’ll ignore adding another tight end if the value makes sense.
The Chicago Bears have good reasons to consider this.
For one, Justin Fields seems to like targeting his tight ends. His connection with Kmet proves that. It would make sense to open things up further with another tight end that can be a threat in the passing game. Teams have proven their value several times in the past. The New England Patriots did it with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. San Francisco did it with Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry were fun with the Chargers. In the absence of finding a top wide receiver, the Bears could still help their cause with a second play-making tight end.
A few names to watch carefully? Dalton Kincaid has been superb the past two years for Utah, racking up over 1300 yards and 16 touchdowns. Everybody also remembers George Kittle coming from Iowa. The program isn’t known for huge passing numbers. That didn’t stop Sam Laporta from also topping 1300 yards combined in two years. He was the leading receiver by far for the Hawkeyes in both seasons. Others have similar profiles: big, athletic, and good hands. If the receiver or offensive line boards don’t break their way, don’t be shocked if the Chicago Bears bring in some company for Kmet.
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I’m a big, big fan of Sam Laporta, Dalton Kincaid, and Will Mallory. I would prefer Laporta but any of the 3 I would be happy with.
The tight end group is a lot stronger in free agency and the draft than the wide receiver group Therefore picking or signing the best available will definitely help the passing game. The 49ers and Chiefs prove how effective an offense can be with a great tight end
I hope we do cuz we need a true pass catching weapon at the te position
Luke Musgrave or Zack Kuntz in the 3-5th rounds would be sweet.
Maybe try Musgrave in the third if he’s still there. I’d rather have Bowers next year.