We know that training camp is right around the corner because we have gotten all the way from number 90 down to number 15 in our ranking of the most valuable Chicago Bears players. This is a season preview that looks at each player’s value heading into the 2021 season and how important it is for them to have a good season. What will their impact leave on the Bears’ final record?
No. 15 Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet
Last Year: 26
Last season Cole Kmet was number 26 as a rookie, which is typically where you see your fringe starters. That is exactly what Kmet and compared to most rookie tight ends it is fair to say that Kmet was about in line with expectations.
Now, in year two we see him shoot up to number 15 which shows that the Bears do have more faith that he will take a step forward in 2021. Most tight ends see some sort of rising from year one to two, so how high Kmet can leap will be telling.
The biggest note for Kmet will actually be his blocking, and not pass catching. He needs to become a complete tight end to open things over the middle for Jimmy Graham. Beyond that, blocking prowess will open up yards after the catch chances for Kmet, which is where he can thrive.
It is the tactical value of Kmet being a well-rounded tight end with a complete skill set that makes him more valuable than most. If they can see that out of him there is a lot more than Matt Nagy can do with his offense that has not been seen because the personnel could not make it happen.
Check out our ranking of players 90-16
90. Brian Johnson
89. Rojesterman Farris
88. Khalil McClain
87. Caleb Johnson
86. Sam Kamara
85. Daniel Arcibong
84. Scooter Harrington
83. Chris Lacy
82. Dionte Ruffin
81. Rodney Adams
80. Tyrone Wheatley
79. Thomas Ives
78. CJ Marable
77. Jester Weah
76. Jake Butt
75. Teez Tabor
74. LeCale London
73. Daureuan Parker
72. Michael Joseph
71. LeDarius Mack
70. Adam Redmond
69. Tre Roberson
68. Xavier Crawford
67. Badara Traore
66. Artavis Pierce
65. Ryan Nall
64. Riley Ridley
63. Patrick Scales
62. Joel Iyiegbuniwe
61. Charles Snowden
60. Dieter Eiselen
59. Artie Burns
58. Lachavious Simmons
57. Jesper Horsted
56. Arlington Hambright
55. Dazz Newsome
54. Marqui Christian
53. Josh Woods
52. Jordan Lucas
51. James Vaughters
50. DeAndre Houston-Carson
49. Austin Calitro
48. Khiyris Tonga
47. Javon Wims
46. Nick Foles
45. Thomas Graham
44. Mike Pennel
43. Trevis Gipson
42. Pat O’Donnell
41. J.P. Holtz
40. Khalil Herbert
39. Larry Borom
38. Deon Bush
37. Cairo Santos
36. Angelo Blackson
35. Elijah Wilkinson
34. Damien Williams
33. Damiere Byrd
32. Marquise Goodwin
31. Alex Bars
30. Jimmy Graham
29. Tarik Cohen
28. Anthony Miller
27. Christian Jones
26. Duke Shelley
25. Kindle Vildor
24. Desmond Trufant
23. Mario Edwards
22. Jeremiah Attaochu
21. Robert Quinn
20. Germain Ifedi
19. Eddie Goldman
18. Sam Mustipher
17. Teven Jenkins
16. Danny Trevathan