NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears are set to embark on what might be the most important draft weekend of GM Ryan Pace’s tenure. After delivering a dud in 2019, they must make changes at important positions to get back on the winning track. After navigating the early waves of free agency, the team has moved into NFL Draft mode. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the more promising draft-eligible prospects to see if there’s a fit for the Bears in 2020.
Previous targets: QB Jake Fromm, OL Josh Jones, OL Austin Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins, CB Cameron Dantzler, WR KJ Hamler, QB James Morgan, TE Cole Kmet, QB Jalen Hurts
Potential Target, Position, School
• Adam Trautman, tight end, Dayton
• Measurements: 6-5, 255 pounds, 32 5/8-inch arms, 9 1/2-inch hands
Performance, Prospect Rankings, and Accomplishments
• 2019 stats: 11 games, 70 catches, 916 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns
• Career stats: 44 games, 178 catches, 2,295 receiving yards, 31 touchdowns
• Accomplishments: First-team FCS All-American by the Associated Press, FCS ADA, STATS, AFCA FCS Coaches, Walter Camp (2019), First-team All-Pioneer Football League (2019), Second-team All-Pioneer Football League (2018), Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll 2015, (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), 2019Trophy runner-up (2019), Big-12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year (2019)
• Position ranking: 2nd (ESPN), 3rd (Pro Football Focus), 2nd (CBS Sports), 1st (Walter Football)
One Thing the NFL.com Draft Profile Says…
“Right now, Trautman is a big, pass-catching tight end who needs to prove he can transition from his level of competition and handle bigger, more physical coverage dogging him around the field.”
You can read the full profile here.
Bears Connection
The Bears met with Trautman at the Senior Bowl.
Highlights
Second straight week the Flyers got some love from the @espn College Football Final Show! Last week it was a helmet sticker for Jack Cook. This week it was Adam Trautman's one-handed TD catch on a double-reverse pass in UD's 41-28 win at Valparaiso. #GoFlyers #GotGrit pic.twitter.com/LhqLYoqG3m
— Dayton Football (@DaytonFootball) October 14, 2019
Recap of #84 Adam Trautman putting in the work at @seniorbowl #GOTGRIT pic.twitter.com/IvBV1zRH5y
— Dayton Football (@DaytonFootball) January 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/DaytonFootball/status/1208055072426319872?s=20
Where’s the Fit?
Might as well address the elephant in the room.
Here goes nothing.
A small-school tight end from Ohio named Adam is one of the best tight end prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft class. For some, being a small-school tight end from Ohio named Adam is enough to be removed off the draft board. That isn’t the case for me. To be clear, this isn’t me spitting into the wind or going against the grain. Trautman’s profile is different than Adam Shaheen’s.
The caliber of play at the FCS level is superior to that of the Division II where Shaheen starred. Also, Trautman has been playing football for longer than Shaheen (and at a higher level, too). On top of that, Trautman has a more versatile bag of tricks than Shaheen had when he was coming into the 2017 NFL Draft. Trautman was used as a tight end, lined up in the slot, and even spent some time as a quarterback (a position he played in high school before transitioning to a full-time tight end).
PFF, ESPN, and Walter Football rank Trautman no lower than third in each site’s positional rankings. When Shaheen was coming out in the draft, he ranked 10th (PFF), 5th (Walter Football), and 5th (ESPN). There is a clear difference in opinion where Shaheen ranked in his class and where Trautman grade currently. With that being said, the only reason we’re talking about Trautman as a possible Bears target is because Shaheen hasn’t been good enough or healthy enough during his three years in Chicago.
The Bears currently have nine tight ends on their roster. But none project to be long-term fixtures at the position. Drafting Trautman with a second-round pick might be too rich for my liking. But if GM Ryan Pace can trade back, pick up additional draft capital, and use it on adding a player like Trautman, it would be a win-win. And if he can convince Trautman to change his name to Bob, maybe that would be enough for some Bears fans to look past something superficial.
