Tight End
A week before the NFL Draft, the Bears released Trey Burton. The oft-injured and unproductive tight end was signed to a lucrative four-year deal after the 2017 season, but he failed to live up to the hype. The Bears signed Jimmy Graham, but it remains unclear what he has left in the tank.
Taken with the team’s first pick in the draft, Cole Kmet looks like a starter from day one, but expectations should be tempered for his production as a rookie. That said, the Bears have several players behind Graham and Kmet at the position, and it’s difficult to discern who will emerge from the pack.
Ben Braunecker would appear to be the next in line, given his tenure on the roster. However, he hauled in just six catches for 59 yards in 2019, albeit one went for a touchdown. He’s primarily served as a special teams player in his young career, but he has the chance to become a much larger part of the offense in 2020.
Demetrius Harris also makes a lot of sense to garner additional playing time. At 6-foot-7, 230 pounds, Harris is slightly undersized for the position. He’s spent time in both the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns’ organizations and made the most of his playing time over the last two years. Between 2018 and 2019, Harris hauled in just 27 catches, but six of them went for scores.
Adam Shaheen, despite being a high draft pick and tabbed Baby Gronk, appears to be on his way out. The Bears can save a bit of money if they cut him, perhaps to bolster the offensive line?
[vertical-gallery id=444804]
[lawrence-related id=445285,445275]