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5 Tight Ends in 2021 NFL Draft Matt Nagy could covet

By Parker Hurley

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Tight End Kylen Granson #83 from SMU of the American Team warms up before the start of the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: Tight End Kylen Granson #83 from SMU of the American Team warms up before the start of the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30:. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30:. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

2. John Bates, Boise State

Aside from the big five, John Bates is the best blocking tight end who can play in-line. There are not as many traditional tight ends these days, and that role has shrunk, but Bates is an old-school tight end.

You can see from his testing that he has the size, length, and strength that most of these other tight ends do not. His 3-cone is impressive for his size as well.

When you watch Bates, you can tell that he can block. Check out some of his best blocks below.

The Chicago Bears are trying to help their quarterback more, and that could come from a commitment to the run game. Again, adding someone who is better than Kmet as a blocker unlocks Kmet to do much more. Still, it also means that when Kmet and Bates are on the field together that teams need to buckle up because they are going to run downhill at you.

That is the type of addition Bates can bring. He is enough of a compliment to the role of Kmet and Graham to fit the offense and is not going to be a headline attraction, as he is not an elite receiving threat.

Like the rest of these tight ends, he has a round five or six projection. This is the type of player the Chicago Bears should target in round six.

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