Chicago Bears 2015 Position Preview: Tight End

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Miller

No tight end on the Bears roster can match Bennett’s talent level, but if there is one that comes close it is Zach Miller. He has had an awful run of injury luck throughout his NFL career, including missing the last three seasons with season ending injuries, but coming out of college Miller had ideal size (6’5 |236) for a receiving TE, ran a 4.53 40-yard dash, with a 1.52 10-yard split (1.67 is TE average), and had one of the best SPARQ scores from a tight end in the last ten years. He started college as a quarterback, which gives him a unique edge in reading defenses and when healthy Miller has shown flashes of elite potential.

Miller showed a glimpse of his talent in the preseason last year against the Eagles when he had 6 catches for 68 yards and 2 TDs. The numbers are impressive, but how he got them is what stood out.  There was a play where he caught a screen pass behind the line of scrimmage then broke 2 tackles and juked another defender on his way to a 17-yard gain. Miller showed the toughness to break tackles, the agility to elude defenders, and the talent to gain yards after the catch. Those are skills that no other non-Bennett TE on the roster has proven they have. There is some potential among the other options, but if healthy Miller has the best chance to be a productive NFL TE.

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Bear Pascoe

A former 6th round pick of 49ers in 2009 after a productive career at Fresno St where he had 112 catches, 1,294 yards and 10 TDs in 2 seasons as a starting tight end. His coach at Fresno St, Pat Hill, called Pascoe the “the most devastating blocker we’ve ever had at his position, ever!”. Pascoe also stood out on special teams with 6 blocked field goals (!) in his college career. Like Miller, Pascoe is a former quarterback whose understanding of schemes on both sides of the ball give him a knack for being in the right place on the field.

Pascoe was released by the Niners in final cuts, but was picked up by the NY Giants where he spent 5 seasons (09-13). He started 34 games over 5 years for the Giants, excelling as a run blocker and special teams player while making occasional contribution on offense (32, 333, 1). Pascoe’s only touchdown came in the 2011 NFC Championship game against the 49ers and his four biggest catches came in the Super Bowl that same year for 33 yards in the Giants upset win over the Patriots. He spent last season with the Falcons, but only had 2 catches for 3 yards total in 2 starts.

Pascoe might be the most athletically challenged TE on the Bears roster, but he may be the best blocker of the group. He also has very good football awareness, natural hands, and the ability to catch the ball in traffic. Despite his lack of foot speed, Pascoe is a tough runner after the catch and a load to bring down in the open field. He’ll never put up big receiving numbers, but he is an impact run blocker and an asset on special teams.

The Bears signed Pascoe to a 1-year deal this offseason for the veteran minimum ($585k) so he isn’t a lock to make the roster, but his blocking, ability to contribute on special teams, strong locker room presence, and versatility to play fullback if needed, should give him an edge for at least the #3 TE position.

Chris Pantale

Signed by the Bears as a free agent about a month ago. Pantale probably would have been drafted in 2013 if not for a broken foot his senior season at Boston College. He ended up being signed as a priority free agent by the New York Jets and has been on the Jets practice squad the last two seasons. Pantale lacks elite athleticism but is a solid inline blocker who has good hands and is a strong runner after the catch.

Pantale isn’t the next Jimmy Graham, but he could possibly be an upgrade over Dante Rosario as a guy who can be a plus blocker in the run game, get open on short-to-intermediate routes, and catch the ball when it’s thrown his way. He’s very similar to Rosario and Bear Pascoe in skill-sets, so the three of them will probably compete for the Bears primary blocking TE role.