Fair or Foul: Chicago Bears tight end Adam Shaheen two touchdowns

Is two touchdowns too low of a projection for Chicago Bears tight end Adam Shaheen?

One big question entering the 2018 season is how the Chicago Bears will use their tight ends. The Chicago Bears have three tight ends that they have invested in over the past two seasons. Matt Nagy has stressed the need for all three tight ends, but we have yet to see what exactly the usage will be.

Still, it seems as though one area where Adam Shaheen would excel is in the red zone. Therefore, it is a bit surprising to see that the ESPN projections for Adam Shaheen’s 2018 season is two touchdowns. Does that feel low?

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It should. Shaheen was targeted just 14 times last season. Four of those targets came within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage. He caught three touchdowns in these situations.

So, in jump ball, red zone situations, he had a 75% catch rate with every reception turning into a touchdown. It feels as though it would make sense if the Bears gave him even more opportunities in the same area.

Clay has Shaheen projected to increase to 33 targets. If he were to maintain his similar rate of red zone targets it would equal 11 chances. That would be eight receptions to equal eight touchdowns.

That is assuming that Matt Nagy holds him back in a similar fashion to Dowell Loggains.

The fact of the matter is that every tight end is going to have their role in this offense. Dion Sims is going to be a strong blocker. Trey Burton can motion around pre-snap and provide advantages with the ball in his hands. Adam Shaheen can block, but can also win the jump balls.

Matt Nagy is going to use Shaheen in that area. His rate may not maintain and be as high as eight. However, it likely would be much closer to five than two.

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