Will Chicago Bears draft a tight end in 2023 NFL draft?
As we have been identifying needs, one interesting position that may be underlooked is tight end. It is easy to do that when the Chicago Bears have Cole Kmet, and all signs are that he will get extended. They also signed Robert Tonyan.
Why Chicago Bears will draft a tight end on day three of 2023 NFL draft
Still, the team will keep three and at least four tight ends, and right now that is Chase Allen and Jake Tonges. Tonges was a backend of the roster player, basically in that fourth spot that was sometimes on, and sometimes off the roster. Chase Allen was behind him and on the practice squad all year.
You could make the case that Tonges is ready to move up, as is Allen, and they are set. Still, that leaves no one for the practice squad, and while they may fill that role with a couple more UDFAs, the room is thin overall.
Tonges has a shot to develop more but is more of an h-back hybrid. Then, there is the reality of what Robert Tonyan brings. On paper, it is a great signing.
In reality, he is 28 years old, he tore his ACL in 2021, and his 2022 was nowhere near what he was becoming back in 2020. Beyond that, he signed a cheap one-year deal. It is hard to see the Chicago Bears saying that between the potential decline of Tonyan, and two UDFAs entering year two they are all set at tight end now. Sure, Kmet will likely get extended, but when you add in that he could be leaving soon as well, they have to look a little to the future on draft weekend.
They need to get some fresher, younger faces in the mix. The issue is that they have so many other needs. It is not a thought to take one with one of those top 64 picks. However, after that, it has to be considered realistic.
Next. Bears Mock Draft: Post Pro Days. dark
This is expected to be a great year for tight-end prospects, and while fans will initially question the move, it would not be a shock to see the Chicago Bears leave Saturday of draft weekend with a potential option.