Chicago Bears: 2 XFL players Ryan Pace must consider signing

Donald Parham, Jr. – Tight End

The one position that struggled more than any other for the Chicago Bears in 2019 was the tight end group. Not a single tight end gained more than 100 yards receiving. Trey Burton ended up on injured reserve and was a shell of himself while he was on the field anyway. Adam Shaheen looked like a seventh-round draft pick opposed to a second-round pick. He too ended up on injured reserve.

The team then turned to Ben Braunecker, P.J. Holtz and Jesper Horsted. Yeah, not really the top of the food chain with these guys. We all know what Braunecker is as a tight end. Honestly, he could be a cap casualty this year. Holtz showed some promise as an H-Back. He did well with lead blocking for the running backs. Horsted looked solid for an undrafted free agent but will take time to adjust from being a wide receiver.

With the amount of money owed to Burton in 2020, the Chicago Bears are not likely to cut him. Saving $1 million in cap space makes little sense even if I would like to see him gone. Shaheen should be gone and so should Braunecker. The team already added Demetrius Harris, but it would be smart of Ryan Pace to bring in another body to see who succeeds. Donald Parham, Jr. could be that guy.

Parham is leading the XFL with 14 catches and 217 receiving yards. He also has three touchdowns on the year. Parham is a huge target. He stands 6’8″ and 243 pounds. Paraham played for Stetson, a small, Division I school. The competition was not great, but Ryan Pace likes guys who dominate at their level. Parham dominated in college averaging nearly 150 yards per game on nine or more catches. Now he is dominating the XFL.

Parham was an undrafted free agent of Washington last season but did not make the final roster. Pace needs to give Parham the opportunity to redeem himself and climb the ladder back into the NFL. He could be an immediate upgrade for the tight end position.