Chicago Bears 3 tight end options in NFL draft

Albert Okwuegbunam

For one of the most well-known and intriguing prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft look no further in Missouri Tigers tight end, Albert Okwuegbunam. Most around the Southeastern Conference and college football landscape simply know him as “Albert O”.

Sitting at 6’5, 255 pounds, Okwuegbunam already possesses the frame that you currently see in some elite-level NFL tight ends. Like our previously mentioned Hunter Bryant, Okwuegnubam also has strong hands, good pass catching ability and a large pass catching radius. Over his three-year collegiate career, Okwuegbunam was able to haul in 98 receptions for 1,187 yards and 23 touchdowns. This was good enough for a 4.3:1 receptions to touchdown ratio which could be considered elite-level production.

Okwuegbunam had a slight regression in his statistical output in 2019.  Prior to the 2019 season, his name was being brought up in several publications’ All-SEC or All-American team talks and on the shortlist for the John Mackey Award (he was a finalist in 2018), but he was simply unable to outproduce his counterparts at the position.  Many are currently wondering if the loss of Drew Lock was a contributing factor in his regression this season.

If you were able to follow any Missouri football game this year, you would see that the Tigers loved to use a lot of play-action and RPO-type plays. Running these schemes really helped “Albert O” excel his game since he seemed to work better with short to intermediate routes. However, once the Tigers tried to run plays requiring him to run intermediate to long routes, he had inconsistency issues with getting separation from defenders. At the next level, he is going to have to refine his route running and ability to separate, as a whole.

Regardless of what happens between now and the NFL Draft, many key draft insiders still expect him to be one of the top tight ends selected this year. Like those insiders, I am expecting him to be selected in the second or third round.  With the Bears current needs in the draft, I can’t see them risking drafting him with one of their two second round picks.  If he were to fall to the 5th Round, where the Bears have multiple picks, there’s a chance he can be selected.