Jace Sternberger is a perfect tight end for Matt Nagy

The Chicago Bears have not shown much interest in a tight end, but have looked into Jace Sternberger from Texas A&M

One of the first things that Matt Nagy stressed upon his arrival in Chicago was the addition of Trey Burton. He was very particular about his tight end usage and urged the bears to walk into 2018 with three tight ends who could perform three separate roles.

By the end of the year, Dion Sims was hurt and Adam Shaheen had yet to take a big step forward. Nagy did not draft Shaheen and was relying on his only signing in Burton.

After letting Dion Sims go it was expected that the team would look into adding more to the tight end room, but hey have remained relatively quiet. However, while most people see that team going running back early, they could be completing their tight end group in round three with Jace Sternberger and waiting on running back until the middle rounds.

How Matt Nagy views tight ends

Matt Nagy likes to have three tight ends that he can interchange in the lineup with three different roles. He has a “U” tight end who helps identify coverages. An “F” tight end, who can stretch the seams as a pass catcher and a “Y” tight end who is an old school blocker.

Burton is a “U” tight end.

Jace Sternberger is an option as an “F” tight end. He is a refined route runner who has solid speed and understanding as a pass catcher. Take a look at the route below as he splits the seams for a big play.

Sternberger is one of the more refined pass-catching options at the tight end position in this class. He lacks in his blocking refinement and while he is a seam splitter, and a smart route runner, he is not a high-end caliber tight end such as Adam Shaheen.

Still, while Shaheen has yet to take a step forward into that premier “F” tight end who can take the top off, he has shown to be a more refined blocker than given credit for and has had an impact near the goal line. The drafting of Sternberger, who is not a strong blocking option could push Shaheen into a role that features his blocking more, which could be an overall positive in his game.

Due to his limitations as an overall tight end, and his lack of elite size and athleticism as a pass catcher Sternberger is likely to fall to 87. However, it tough to see him fall far outside the top 100. The Chicago Bears bringing in Sternberger may mean that they wait on running back, and look at a great tight end option who can jump in right away in the third round.