Chicago Bears training camp is less than three weeks away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.
Next up are the tight ends, which the entire NFL world knows Chicago boasts a ton of. While the Bears have a crowded tight end room, there are ultimately just four roster spots up for grabs, and three of those spots are all but locked up with Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet and Demetrius Harris.
Let’s take a look at the tight ends heading into training camp.
Jimmy Graham
The Bears signed veteran Jimmy Graham to a two-year deal earlier this offseason, which signaled the end of Trey Burton’s career in Chicago. Graham’s signing was heavily criticized given the $9 million in guaranteed money, but Ryan Pace believes he can give their tight ends room a boost in the passing game as the starting “U” tight end.
While Graham was a force in the league during his time with the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, he didn’t have the same effect with the Green Bay Packers. Which could have something to do with how he was utilized — or lack there of — in Green Bay. Last season, Graham had 38 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns, which was more than all of Chicago’s tight ends combined in 2019.
Cole Kmet
With Chicago’s tight end struggles in 2019, the Bears used their top draft pick to bring in the most NFL-ready tight end in Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet. Last season with Notre Dame, he set career highs with 43 receptions, 515 yards and six touchdowns.
Kmet figures to assume the starting “Y” tight end role, where he’ll be utilized as a blocker and pass catcher. Given the importance of the tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense, Kmet has a chance to collect some yardage in this offense. He can certainly make an immediate impact on the Bears in his rookie season — if all goes right
Demetrius Harris
The Bears began the re-haul of their tight ends room with the addition of veteran Demetrius Harris, who has experience in an offense similar to Matt Nagy’s. Harris spent his first four years with the Chiefs, where Nagy worked as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Harris also had more receiving yards than any Bears tight end in 2019. He had 15 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
Harris will occupy one of the “Y” tight end spots, where he’s proven to be effective. He was the ninth-ranked blocking tight end last season, according to Pro Football Focus. But he’s also proven to be a reliable target in the passing game.
Ben Braunecker
Ben Braunecker, a former undrafted rookie out of Harvard, spent the majority of his first two seasons on Chicago’s practice squad before earning a spot on the active roster during the 2018 season. The Bears signed Braunecker to a two-year extension in March 2019, and last year he played in 11 games with three starts, recording six receptions for 59 yards and his first career touchdown. Braunecker suffered a concussion against the New York Giants, which landed him on injured reserve.
Entering the final year of his contract, Braunecker faces an uphill battle to win a roster spot. Chicago’s top three tight ends are virtually locked up in Burton, Kmet and Harris, which means there’s just one spot up for grabs. His biggest challenge figures to be J.P. Holtz, whose ability as a blocker and to line up as a fullback makes him a versatile weapon for the Bears.
Adam Shaheen
Adam Shaheen’s time in Chicago will likely come to an end after training camp. The former second-round pick has struggled with injuries in his three years with the team, which has limited his development. Last year, Shaheen had nine receptions for 74 yards in eight games before being a healthy scratch against the Detroit Lions in Week 10. The following week, Shaheen landed on the injury report with a foot injury, and the Bears later placed him on injured reserve on Dec. 1.
The Bears brought in two “Y” tight ends that essentially replace Shaheen in Kmet and Harris. While Shaheen will be on Chicago’s roster come training camp, it’s not likely that he garners that final tight end roster spot.
J.P. Holtz
One of the pleasant surprises last season for the Bears was the emergence of tight end J.P. Holtz, who Chicago signed after his release from the Washington Redskins in Week 1. Holtz had the most snaps and receiving yards of any Chicago tight end last season. Still, it wasn’t the most impressive performance statistically, as Holtz had seven receptions for 91 yards.
While the Bears’ top three tight end spots are essentially locked up with Graham, Kmet and Harris, Holtz has a great chance to land that last roster spot. Not only is he a phenomenal blocker, but there were times when Holtz lined up as a fullback last season. Given the importance of the run game this offseason, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Holtz on the 53-man roster.
Jesper Horsted
The state of the Bears tight ends room wasn’t pretty last year, but Jesper Horsted did have his moments last season. Last season, Horsted had eight receptions for 87 yards and an impressive touchdown catch against the Lions on Thanksgiving. The receiver-turned-tight end has all of the traits of a “U” tight end, but he needs to be stronger as a blocker.
While Horsted had some impressive moments last season, he might ultimately be the victim of a loaded tight ends room. It’s a long shot for Horsted to lock up a spot on the 53-man roster, although he stands a chance if he can beat out Braunecker. If not, he’s a great candidate for the practice squad and someone that can be brought up should the Bears need assistance at tight end.
Eric Saubert
Eric Saubert, a former fifth-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons, hasn’t been able to find his footing in the NFL. The Bears signed Saubert off the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad on Nov. 30 following Braunecker’s concussion against Giants a week earlier. Saubert saw action in Chicago’s final two games, where he had two receptions for 21 yards.
Given the crowded tight ends room and essentially just one roster spot up for grabs, it’s not likely that Saubert secures that spot. But he’ll surely be a candidate for Chicago’s practice squad.
Darion Clark
The Bears signed Darion Clark to a reserve/future contract earlier this offseason. The 6-foot-6 Clark is a former college basketball player with Charlotte, USC and Grand Canyon. He participated in USC’s pro day as a tight end in March 2018.
Given Clark is relatively new to the tight end position in a loaded tight ends room, he’s a prime cut candidate.
