Chicago Bears: Early tight end depth chart projection with Cole Kmet

Who falls in where?

Alright, now that we have narrowed down the field, who will slot into which positions and who will backup who? As I already stated, Jimmy Graham and Cole Kmet will be the starters on this team. I say they are both starters because we should expect to see both of them on the field often. Also as projected, Graham will slot in as the “U” tight end and Kmet will fall in line as the new “Y” tight end. Now, where does that leave the others?

Behind Graham, I expect to see JP Holtz. Holtz signed a one-year extension for  $750,000. I cannot imagine they find him to be on his way out at this point. I also do not see them placing him on the practice squad now either. He played fairly well as a backup last year. He is not a starter at all but could fill in for a short period of time in this offense if needed.

Slotting in behind Kmet, I am predicting will be Demetrius Harris. Harris is also on a one-year deal. His contract is worth $1.65 million. He might even get the nod over Kmet to start the season because of his experience in the NFL, but it will not take long for Kmet’s talent to shine and push Harris to the back of the line.

Depending on how the roster shakes out, I could see the Chicago Bears keeping five tight ends on the roster this year, but my first guess is that four will be the magic number. This means Jesper Horsted and Darion Clark will both be on the practice squad or fighting for that practice squad spot. Horsted has the slight upper hand since he saw action with the team last season, and if they kept five he’d be the fifth choice. Clark would round out the team as the sixth option.