Why Chicago Bears are showing interest in Purdue TE Payne Durham

Reports are that the Chicago Bears are using one of their top 30 pre-draft visits to bring in Payne Durham, a tight end from Purdue. It is worth remembering that while the visit does signal interest of some sort, it is not a smoking gun or a clear sign that the Bears are drafting him.

Chicago Bears bring in Payne Durham for top 30 visit

They have 30 of these visits and use them wisely to get more information about what a player is. Sometimes they use these visits for extra medical assurance or a last-minute workout, and other times it is to get to know the person or see how they interact in a team facility.

There are plenty of reasons for the Chicago Bears to bring in Payne Durham, and for them, they may even be checking to see when exactly they would feel comfortable drafting him. Durham was considered a potential UDFA before his senior season. The entire Purdue passing game had its best year, and it helped all of their draft stock, including Durham.

Then, Durham had a great week at the Senior Bowl. He showed at the NFL combine that he is definitely not a high-upside passing game weapon, but he had always been a better blocker, and he has shown that he is reliable at the least through the air.

The Chicago Bears pick 148th, and then not again until 218th. They may trade back, but with someone like Durham, they probably want to get a gauge for whether they should hope to get him in the fifth round, or the seventh. That would be what entails bringing in him.

The reality is that if the Chicago Bears draft him in round five, he is still the third tight end here. Still, he would fit in well behind Cole Kmet and Robert Tonyan, because his ability as a blocker can free both of them up to play more snaps in the slot.

So, the Chicago Bears would like to know what his upside is as a blocker. Also, how does he feel being the third tight end, and ultimately being phased out as a pass catcher? What about special teams, and does he fit the personality of the team?

If the Chicago Bears get to meet with him and answer no to some of those questions, then the interest is not real. But for now, they do want to know more about Payne Durham, so we have to wonder if he will be a day-three pick.