Chicago Bears: Second-round 2020 NFL Draft targets other than quarterbacks

Would Ryan Pace look to draft another tight end this early? Would he consider using a second-round pick after what has happened with Adam Shaheen?

We can say it. Shaheen has been a bust. He just does not seem to be able to play at an NFL level. His only skill set is in the red zone and out jumping small corners. He has not even been able to do that right this season and looks to be on the outs here in Chicago.

Here are three guys the Bears could consider in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

If the Chicago Bears could grab Brycen Hopkins in the second round that would be phenomenal. This is not your Shaheen type pick. Hopkins is having a very strong 2019 season for the Purdue Boilermakers. In nine games, Hopkins has 45 catches, 561 yards and three touchdowns. In a game against Maryland, Hopkins caught ten balls for 140 yards.

Hopkins needs to put some weight on at the next level in order to be a better blocker. He has good height at 6’5″, but he is only weighing in at 245lbs. That will not cut it when trying to hold a block on a 250-plus pounds linebacker. Hopkins has decent hands though and runs solid routes. He would fit in nicely and be able to handle the Trey Burton role in this offense.

Another option the Bears and Ryan Pace could consider is Albert Okwuegbunam. Okwuegbunam plays for Missouri and seems to have a decent knack for the end zone. In his first year for the Tigers, he finished with 11 touchdowns on 29 receptions. He followed that up with another six touchdowns and 43 catches in 2018.

This season, Okwuegbunam has already matched his sophomore total with another six touchdowns. He is a little less refined as a route runner than Brycen Hopkins, but he also makes a better red-zone threat. He also stands 6’5″, but unlike Hopkins, Okwuegbunam has more weight to his frame at nearly 260lbs. He actually fits more of the Adam Shaheen mold but would make a strong option for the Bears.

Whenever I see Jared Pinkney‘s name, I am reminded of Jesse Pinkman from the show Breaking Bad. This is not because of anything other than the last name. Pinkney and the actor who plays Jesse Pinkman are nothing alike from a physicality standpoint. Pinkney stands 6’4″ and weighs 260lbs. He is like two Jesse Pinkmans put together, haha.

Pinkney is not having as good of a 2019 season as many expected. He is coming off a very strong 2018 campaign where he caught 50 balls for 774 yards and seven touchdowns. His 2019 campaign looks pedestrian though. He really only has two solid games this year, granted both came against superior opponents in Purdue and LSU. He has yet to find the end zone and only has 15 catches for 157 yards.

Notable Mention: Hunter Bryant