TE Michael Roberts, Toledo (6’4 | 259 | 4.82) – All-MAC selection who led the nation’s tight ends with 16 touchdown catches(!) this season. That’s pretty impressive for an old-school tight end who looks and moves more like a left tackle than a receiver.
Roberts makes up for his lack of speed with excellent inline blocking skills. He gets good drive off the line as a run blocker with long arms and a strong enough punch to knock defensive ends back. Roberts is a true inline tight end, which is rare these days, and could be an asset in the run game right away at the next level.
His blocking is good enough to get him drafted regardless, but Roberts has shown soft hands, a knack for finding open spots in zone schemes, and once he gets moving he’s a challenge to bring down for defensive backs.
He’s only a one-year starter, so there isn’t much tape on Roberts, but he has an impressive combination of blocking and receiving skills. Roberts overcame quite a bit to get to this level, which should boost his draft stock as well.
The Bears auditioned tight ends all season, hoping to find at least a complement to Zach Miller, if not a long-term replacement. Most of the players they brought in were receivers first and they don’t really have a tight end who can both block and catch (though Ben Braunecker has potential), which could make Roberts a priority draft target. I like him enough that I almost had the Bears selecting him in the fifth round of my first Bears mock draft.
TE Eric Saubert, Drake (6’5 | 247 | 4.72) – I barely knew anything about Saubert before the Shrine Bowl, but he’s stood out among the tight ends this week and looks like a legit NFL prospect. He was an FCS All-American this year with 56 catches, 776 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
Saubert runs like a wide receiver and has soft hands, but his blocking is a question mark. So far in Shrine Bowl practices, he’s blocked better than expected while dominating as a receiver. He lined up both inline and in the slot and got open consistently in both spots.
It may take Saubert some time to adjust to a massive increase in competition level next year, but the talent is there for him to become a three-down tight end in the NFL. Saubert can stretch the field down the seam and looks to be a smooth enough route runner to get open on intermediate routes.
Saubert has improved his draft stock solidly into the day three area and could move up farther with a strong Shrine Bowl and combine. Despite signing tight ends almost every week this year, the Bears still need talent at the position and Saubert’s upside is tempting enough to use a day three pick on.
OT Will Holden, Vanderbilt (6’7 | 313 | 5.15) – A 2nd team All-SEC left tackle who has done a solid job protecting the quarterback’s blind side in a conference full of elite pass rushers. Holden has quick feet for his size and a fast drop-step that allows him to get wide enough to neutralize speed rushers consistently. He’s also shown enough strength to move defenders in the run game, though he’s more of a zone blocker than a phone booth mauler.
Holden put up impressive stats this year with 30 pancake blocks and 16 domination blocks* and has the size, strength, and technique necessary to play on either side of the line at the next level. He’ll probably need to bulk up to be effective in the NFL, but his feet should keep him in the league for a long time.
The Bears have two solid tackles in Leno Jr and Massie, but are very thin behind them. Mike Adams was a disaster as a swing tackle and the Bears could be looking to upgrade at the position. Holden would be an ideal fit with the versatility to play either side, the feet to excel in the Bears zone blocking scheme, and the potential to eventually start in the NFL.
*I don’t know what domination block means, but I’m excited that o-linemen finally have a new stat.
OT/OG Erik Magnuson, Michigan (6’4 | 303 | 5.05) – First team All-Big10 left tackle who was a key part of the Wolverines productive running game. He’s been a reliable lineman for Michigan the last three seasons and has improved gradually every year. I don’t think he’s a left tackle at the next level but could play there in a pinch.
Magnuson is very strong (is everyone with the last name Magnuson?) and combines his power with a low pad level to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage. Run blocking is his best trait with power, technique, and a knack for finding people to block on the second level.
Magnuson’s pass blocking isn’t as sound but his longer than average arms help make up for a lack of ideal height. His feet are just a little too slow to deal with elite speed rushers off the edge. Despite lacking quickness, Magnuson performed well as a pass blocker and rarely got beat off the edge in conference play last season. It could be a different story at the NFL level.
Right tackle is probably where Magnuson ends up at the next level and he has the potential to be a good one. He may slide inside to guard as well where he could eventually be an elite level player. Tackles are harder to find obviously, so the team that drafts him will most likely try Magnuson there first.
The Bears are severely lacking in tackle depth and need to find a reliable swing tackle this offseason. It’s doubtful Magnuson could play on the left side long term but could survive there short-term while potentially being an upgrade at right tackle over Bobby Massie. If Magnuson falls to day three, the Bears should seriously consider using a fourth or fifth round pick on him.