Given the pressing concern at the tight end position, the Bears are certainly doing their due diligence early at the Senior Bowl
Chicago met with at least two tight ends on Tuesday, according to NBC Sports’ Bryan Perez. The Bears met with Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney, who they talked with for over 30 minutes.
Jared Pinkney, TE, Vandy, told me he met with the #Bears for over 30 minutes. #NFLDraft
— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) January 21, 2020
Pinkney didn’t have the senior season he would’ve liked, with just 20 catches for 233 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The previous year, he had nearly double the production and seven touchdowns. But he’s got the physical traits you look for in a tight end prospect, and he’s an accomplished pass-catcher.
The Bears also met with Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins, who could very well be the first tight end off the board in April.
#Bears are doing their homework on TEs. Brycen Hopkins just told me he, like Pinkney, has met with Chicago.
— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) January 21, 2020
Hopkins had 830 yards and six touchdowns with Purdue this season, which is the kind of production the Bears are seeking from the position. He would be the perfect fit for Matt Nagy’s “U” tight end. He’s a strong route runner and also brings explosiveness to the position.
Given the importance of the tight end in Nagy’s offense, finding a way to get production out of the position — be it with current players on the roster or through free agency or the NFL Draft — will be of utmost importance.
If the Bears were to land either Pinkney or Hopkins, that would certainly be a start in fixing that position.
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