NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears’ offseason of talent acquisition has one more – very important step: The 2018 NFL Draft.
After GM Ryan Pace made moves to add Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Trey Burton, Aaron Lynch, and others in free agency, the organization’s focus shifts to adding more young talent to the roster through the draft.
Despite an active free agency period, the Bears still have many needs. We’re going to look at some of the best prospects at various positions of interest leading up to the draft.
Previous: Quarterback, Running back, Wide receiver
Today: Tight end
Need: Low
Currently on the Roster (2017 Pro Football Focus Grade):
Pro Football Focus’ Top-5 Prospects:
- Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
- Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
- Mike Gesicki, Penn State
- Jordan Akins, UCF
- Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
Best of the Rest: Hayden Hurst, South Carolina; Jaylen Samuels, North Carolina State; Cam Serigne, Wake Forest; Deon Yelder, Western Kentucky; Shane Winman, Northern Illinois
Team Fit
The Bears looked set at tight end last year after signing Dion Sims to join Zach Miller and Daniel Brown. But then GM Ryan Pace flipped the script and drafted a jumbo-sized small-school tight end in the second round. But after signing Trey Burton as a free agent and retaining Sims, drafting a tight end seems like one of the less-likely scenarios of this draft.
Most Likely to be Available When the Bears Are on the Clock:
If the Bears were going to use a draft pick on a tight end, it would probably come in the late rounds. Perhaps it would be interesting to see local product Troy Fumagalli be drafted by his hometown team in the seventh round. It’s something Fumagalli sounded interested in way back when.
The Bears Have Reportedly Met With…
Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
If I Had to Pick One:
Bears fans would probably flip a table if the team drafted another small-school tight end, but Dallas Goedert looks like the type of player who would thrive as the “U” position in Matt Nagy’s offense. Goedert has good speed, an NFL frame (6-5, 255 pounds), and was used in a variety of ways by the South Dakota State offense. It’s just that the Bears don’t need him. He’ll be a good get for some team. Preferably, one that doesn’t reside in the NFC North.
