Tag: Bears tight end

Who’s a realistic free agent signing for the Bears?

Hunter Henry would be a realistic signing for the Bears in free agency. That is, assuming the Chargers don’t place the franchise tag on him.

The Bears need to address several needs this offseason both on offense and defense. But overwhelmingly, fixing an offense that was one of the worst in the NFL last season ranks high on the list.

While Chicago isn’t in the most comfortable situation salary cap wise, they’re expected to make some moves in free agency to address needs like quarterback and tight end.

Bleacher Report believes that tight end Hunter Henry would be a realistic signing for the Bears in free agency. That is, assuming the Chargers don’t place the franchise tag on Henry.

Assuming the Chicago Bears stick with Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback, they would be wise to address the tight end spot. Trey Burton has been a disappointment, and Trubisky—who is still developing—could use a reliable outlet receiver.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry could fill that role perfectly. Injuries have been an issue for the Arkansas product—he missed all of 2018 and four games last season—but Henry is an elite tight end.

If Henry were to hit free agency, he’d be one of the hottest commodities on the market, alongside the Falcons’ Austin Hooper. But he’d figure to be cheaper than Hooper, who is believed to get around $10 million per season.

One of the issues that plagued Chicago tight ends last season were injuries, as Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen and Ben Braunecker all wound up on injured reserve before the end of the season. Henry is someone that has struggled with injuries these last two seasons, and it’s fair to wonder if you’d take a chance on an injury-riddled, elite tight end.

Considering the ineptitude of the tight end position last season, general manager Ryan Pace needs to explore all avenues to fix tight end in free agency and the NFL Draft.

[lawrence-related id=439438,439402,439356,439405]

Bears trade down, add OL, TE, CB in new 3-round mock draft

In a new mock draft, the Bears trade down to accumulate an additional pick and address 3 needs in offensive line, tight end and cornerback.

With no shortage of needs on Chicago’s roster — from offensive line to edge rusher to tight end to defensive back — the Bears should be able to add some effective pieces to this roster in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Bears are once again without a first-round pick (which was sent to the Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade.) But they do have two of second round selections in the top-150, and general manager Ryan Pace needs to make them count.

In The Draft Network’s newest three-round mock draft, Kyle Crabbs has the Bears trading down in the second round to accumulate an additional pick and address three important needs in offensive line, tight end and cornerback.

With the 43rd overall pick, Crabbs has Chicago selecting Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson. With Kyle Long’s retirement, there’s a vacancy at right guard, and the Bears could turn to the NFL Draft to address it.

The Chicago Bears need depth in the middle after the retirement of Kyle Long. Jonah Jackson might be the best plug-and-play guard in the draft.

Pace has garnered a reputation for locking in on his guy and trading up to get him, whether that’s Mitchell Trubisky, Anthony Miller or David Montgomery. But something he’s not known for is trading down to accumulate picks.

Crabbs has the Bears trading with the Ravens, where Chicago would receive Baltimore’s 60th pick and their third-round selection at pick No. 92.

With that 60th selection, Crabbs has the Bears selecting arguably the best tight end in the NFL Draft in Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet. Following an abysmal collective outing by Bears tight ends in 2019, Pace is exploring all options to better the position.

Chicago needs more from the tight end position after swinging and missing on Adam Shaheen. Cole Kmet is the cleanest “in-line” prospect at the position to project to the pro level.

Finally, with that third-round pick acquired in a trade with Baltimore, Crabbs has the Bears selecting Iowa cornerback Michael Ojemudia with the 92nd pick. After releasing Prince Amukamara to free up salary cap space, the Bears need to address the vacant cornerback spot opposite Kyle Fuller.

The Bears’ secondary bid farewell to Prince Amukamara this offseason. Michael Ojemudia is a comparable athlete at a comparable size.

The Bears currently have seven draft picks, and they’re projected to add a fourth-round compensatory selection to the list.

[lawrence-related id=439438,439402,439356,439405]

What are Bears’ biggest needs heading into free agency?

With free agency less than two weeks away, the Bears have several needs heading into the 2020 season, especially on offense.

With free agency less than two weeks away, the Bears have several needs heading into the 2020 season.

While the Bears are tight on salary cap space, they’re still expected to be active in free agency, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

NFL.com’s Grant Gordon detailed the Bears’ three biggest needs heading into free agency, which include quarterback, tight end and offensive line.

Ideally following the Titans’ blueprint of last season, the Bears would do well to bring in a veteran QB who can push Trubisky in practice and occasionally whisper some wisdom into his ear (Andy Dalton might be perfect for this role) — and provide an upgrade from 2019 backup Chase Daniel in the event that all is not well with Trubisky.

Improvement is needed across the board for a unit that ranked as the No. 25 O-line in 2019, per PFF, but most notably at the guard spots and likely at center, after Cody Whitehair’s play waned.

As the maturation saga of a man named Mitch carries on, having a top-level tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense is of the utmost priority, and questions linger about Burton’s ability to fill that role.

Fixing the offense is of utmost importance for Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy this offseason, and free agency provides an opportunity for them to address arguably their two biggest needs: Quarterback and tight end.

The Bears continue to stand behind Mitchell Trubisky as their 2020 starter, but it’s imperative that they find an experienced veteran that can challenge Trubisky and provide some insurance should his struggles continue.

But there’s also been speculation about a possible trade for a quarterback, like an Andy Dalton or Derek Carr. It doesn’t matter where they find these quarterbacks — free agency or trade — as much as it’s about finding a quality backup that can fill-in if needed, like a Ryan Tannehill.

Then there’s the tight end position, which Chicago has already begun addressing. They’ve brought in tight ends coach Clancy Barone and signed Demetrius Harris, someone with experience in Nagy’s offense. But that’s only the beginning. The Bears are expected to test the free agent waters and target a tight end in the NFL Draft.

The offensive line is more tricky. While it’s certainly one of the biggest needs heading into free agency, Chicago isn’t likely to find the answer to their offensive line woes in the immediate future. Ultimately, they’re stuck with what they’ve got for the most part in 2020. Rather, the NFL Draft provides an opportunity to build towards the future.

[lawrence-related id=439429,439319,439346,439274]

New mock draft has Bears adding safety, tight end in 2nd round

In a new mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, the Bears address needs on defense and offense with their two second round picks.

The Bears have several positions they need to address this offseason, and the NFL Draft would be a good place to land some young talent at two important positions.

Chicago is once again without a first-round pick (which was sent to the Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade.) But they do have a pair of second round selections in the top-150, and general manager Ryan Pace needs to make them count.

In The Athletic‘s newest three-round mock draft, Dane Brugler has the Bears addressing needs on defense and offense with their two second round picks.

With the 43rd overall pick, Brugler has Chicago taking Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger. With Ha Ha Clinton-Dix likely lost to free agency, the Bears need to find a safety to line up opposite Eddie Jackson, which certainly adds defensive back near the top of Chicago’s offseason needs.

Then, with the 50th selection, Brugler has the Bears drafting Notre Dame tight Cole Kmet. Kmet is widely considered the best tight end in the draft, and Chicago will likely have their pick of tight ends in the second round should Pace choose to take one that early.

The Bears currently have seven draft picks, and they’re projected to add a fourth-round compensatory selection to the list. With no shortage of needs on this roster — from offensive line to edge rusher to tight end to defensive back — the Bears should be able to add some effective pieces to this roster.

[lawrence-related id=439214,439152,439282,439243,439190]

Sounds like Bears will stick with Trey Burton in 2020

With all of this talk about the Bears bringing in new faces at tight end, what does that mean for Trey Burton this season?

The Bears are going all-in on fixing the tight end position this offseason, which means they’re likely to turn to both free agency and the NFL Draft to bring in some new faces.

Chicago is reportedly interested in targeting Austin Hooper, widely regarded as the top tight end in free agency. If the Bears were to land Hooper, it wouldn’t be without its cost.

According to Spotrac, Hooper is projected to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL next season — with his market projected around $50 million over five years. The Bears, who have $26 million in salary cap space, could make it work. But they won’t be without competition for Hooper’s services.

With all of this talk about bringing in new faces at tight end, what does that mean for Trey Burton?

According to Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer, it sounds like the Bears are prepared to stick with Burton in 2020, despite who they bring in this offseason.

Speaking of tight ends, I’m not saying Bears won’t go forward without supplementing at the position, but word is they’re OK with Trey Burton being the headliner there, on the belief that he’s just had a lot of bad injury luck the last couple of years.

While it’s fair to point to Burton’s injury history as a reason for his lack of production last season, it’s also one of the problems Chicago faces with him. After suffering a groin injury prior to the Bears’ playoff game during the 2018 season, he tweaked his groin and wound up on injured reserve with a hip injury in 2019.

It’s hard to imagine a time when Burton was productive for Chicago. When Burton was healthy for a short time in 2019, he was practically invisible on the field. Ultimately, he caught 14 passes for 84 yards in eight games with no scores.

But thinking back to Burton during that 2018 season, where the offense was just good enough, he’s shown that he can be an effective member of this Bears offense.

Although it’s fair to wonder if Burton can get back to that place or if he’ll ultimately be usurped by Chicago’s impending offseason tight end acquisitions.

[lawrence-related id=439075,439051,439155,439142]

Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet would love to play for hometown Bears

The Bears are looking for a tight end, and Cole Kmet is arguably the best TE prospect in the draft. He also grew up rooting for the Bears.

Ryan Pace has made it clear that the Bears will continue to look for help at tight end through free agency and the NFL Draft, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they both signed a veteran and drafted a rookie.

There’s a good chance that the Bears will be one of the first teams to select a tight end in the NFL Draft, which means they’ll likely have their pick of prospects.

Perhaps they’ll find their guy in Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet, who has been hailed as the draft’s best tight end. Considering he grew up rooting for the Bears, Kmet has thought about being drafted by his hometown team.

“For sure, I definitely looked at it,” Kmet said this week at the NFL Scouting Combine. “And it would be a great opportunity to play in Chicago, play in the hometown. That would be a lot of fun.”

The Bears have two second round picks — No. 43 and 50 — and it’s possible that Pace will use one of those to address the glaring issue at tight end. And perhaps Kmet will get to play for his hometown team.

[lawrence-related id=438689,438759,438781,438719,438691]

Bears have met with TE Brycen Hopkins at NFL Scouting Combine

The Bears will be targeting a TE in the NFL Draft, and Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins is one prospect that has been linked to Chicago.

General manager Ryan Pace has made it clear that tight end is a priority for the Bears this offseason, especially given the significance of the position in Matt Nagy’s offense.

Pace wasted no time bringing in veteran tight end Demetrius Harris last week, someone who has experience in Nagy’s offense. But the Bears aren’t done examining the tight end position this offseason. Pace said that they’ll continue to target tight ends in free agency and the NFL Draft.

One of those young prospects that has been linked to the Bears is Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins, who some have pegged as the best tight end on the board.

Hopkins told the media that he’s met with the Bears, among 28 other teams, at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Hopkins would be a perfect fit in Nagy’s offense, and his skillset projects him to operate as a “move” or “U” tight end. He’s a strong route runner and also brings explosiveness to the position.

In his senior season, Hopkins had 830 yards and six touchdowns for Purdue, which is the kind of production the Bears are seeking from the position after an abysmal outing by their tight ends in 2019.

There’s no doubt that Hopkins is on Chicago’s radar. We’ll just have to wait and see if he lands with the Bears.

[lawrence-related id=438729,438680,438669,438627]

PFF believes Bears will sign TE Eric Ebron in free agency

The Bears are desperate for a reliable tight end. Pro Football Focus predicts that the Bears will sign tight end Eric Ebron in free agency.

The Bears have several positional concerns they need to address this offseason, and tight end is near the top of the list.

While the Bears have already added a veteran tight end this offseason in Demetrius Harris, they’re still expected to sign a veteran in free agency and draft a tight end.

There are a few high-profile tight ends slated to hit free agency, including Austin Hooper and Hunter Henry.

Pro Football Focus believes that the Bears will sign another big-name tight end in Eric Ebron, who they rank as the 30th best free agent. PFF projects Chicago to sign Ebron to a three-year deal worth $22.5 million with $14 million guaranteed.

Chicago desperately needs a reliable tight end — Trey Burton didn’t play too well in his first year with the Bears in 2018, producing a 64.4 receiving grade.  And he responded in 2019 by lowering his grade to 48.2 in limited action. The Bears’ second-round pick from 2017, Adam Shaheen out of Ashland, has never seen more than 14 targets in a single season.

There’s a pretty steep drop-off among free agent tight ends after Hunter Henry, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see Chicago get themselves in a situation where they are reaching for an Eric Ebron. He’s been consistent as a receiver by posting receiving grades between 69.4 and 71.4 in each of the past four years, but he might be someone to be cautious investing in — especially considering the Bears have minimal cap space.

After underwhelming with the Lions for his first four seasons, Ebron was reborn in Indianapolis. Ebron had 66 receptions for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2018.

While Ebron’s production took a dip last season — he had 31 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns — that was better than all of the Bears’ tight ends combined in 2019.

Considering the lack of production and injury history of Chicago’s top two tight ends — Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen — the Bears desperately need dependable tight ends.

Given the Matt Nagy offense thrives off tight end production, the Bears need to turn to all avenues — free agency and the NFL Draft — to finally get reliability out of the position. Ebron would be a good place to start.

[lawrence-related id=438477,438489,438138,438466]

New mock draft has Bears trading down, acquiring TE and OT in 2nd round

The Bears have offensive needs they need to address this offseason, and the 2020 NFL Draft would be the perfect place to start.

The Bears have offensive needs they need to address this offseason, and the 2020 NFL Draft would be the perfect place to start.

In The Draft Network‘s newest mock draft, analyst Benjamin Solak has the Bears targeting tight end and offensive line in the second round — and making a trade in the process.

The Bears sent the Jets the No. 43 pick in exchange for their No. 48 overall pick, as well as acquired an additional fifth round selection (No. 140).

Ultimately, the Bears still get their guy in Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins, who Solak has them selecting with the No. 48 overall selection.

The Bears’ trade down was a good one, as they grab a target from earlier in the round while grabbing a fifth in return. Doesn’t feel like much, but their cupboards are bare this year, and they need more weapons on offense to survive with Mitch Trubisky at QB

Chicago needs to address the hole at the tight end position, and it wouldn’t be out of the question for them to draft a tight end like Hopkins, who fits perfectly in a Matt Nagy offense, and bring in a veteran through free agency.

Like tight end, there’s plenty of work to be done on the offensive line. Solak has the Bears drafting LSU tackle Saahdiq Charles with the 50th pick.

Saahdiq Charles is one of my favorite developmental tackles that. nobody talks about. He’s not ready to step in and start in Year 1, but the Bears can keep Bobby Massie and Charles Leno installed as starters through this year and re-evaluate after Charles bulks up.

Like tight end, the offensive line was a huge area of concern for the Bears in 2019, especially in the run game. Chicago has invested a lot of money in the offensive line, but they certainly didn’t get the production they would’ve liked in 2019. While Charles Leno and Bobby Massie are locked up at tackle for 2020, bringing in a player like CHarles would be building toward the future.

[lawrence-related id=438142,438174,438131,438168,438217]

5 things to know about Bears new TE Demetrius Harris

From a Matt Nagy connection to basketball roots, get to know the Bears’ newest tight end Demetrius Harris.

The Bears have a glaring need at the tight end position, and they began addressing it with the signing of former Browns tight end Demetrius Harris.

While Chicago’s tight end search will continue well into free agency and the NFL Draft, the Bears brought in a solid option that excels as a blocking tight end in Harris.

From a Matt Nagy connection to basketball roots, here are five things to know about Chicago’s newest tight end.

1. Harris outperformed every Bears tight end in 2019

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

When you look at how Bears tight ends performed as a whole in 2019, it’s hard not to find a tight end that performed worse than Chicago’s collective group. With Harris joining the roster, he immediately becomes the Bears’ most productive weapon from a season ago, with 15 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns.

That says more about Chicago’s struggles than Harris’ success, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to bring in a tight end that had more production than every other tight end on your roster a season ago.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5