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Chicago Bears Daily 2017 NFL Draft Prospect: Virginia Tech TE Bucky Hodges

By Dan Schmelzer

Nov 26, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies tight end Bucky Hodges (7) catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter against Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Reggie Floyd (21) at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies tight end Bucky Hodges (7) catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter against Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Reggie Floyd (21) at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Virginia Tech tight end Bucky Hodges is up next as we continue to look at Chicago Bears targets in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Chicago Bears have many positions of need that must be addressed this off season. Tight end is certainly among them. Zach Miller is a solid receiving tight end, but he is not a long-term option and gets hurt far more often than you would like to see.

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Luckily for the Chicago Bears, the 2017 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at the tight end position. Chief among them is Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges who is fresh off of an incredible performance at the NFL Combine.

Hodges measured in at 6-6, 257 pounds at the combine. He ran an impressive 4.57 in the 40-yard dash, which was the fifth best time for any tight end at the combine. Hodges also had his vertical leap measured at 39 inches, which was the single best for any player at the tight end position.

But most impressively, Hodges had a broad jump of 11’2″. That was not only the best broad jump for a tight end at the 2017 Combine, it is the best number for a tight end in the history of the event. Hodges has elite-level athleticism and he showed it at the combine.

Hodges’ combine performance was impressive, but his speed and athleticism show up on the field as well. Hodges can stretch the middle of the field with his deep speed and goes up for the ball as well as any tight end in this class. Hodges is an impressive specimen at the tight end position who has a ton of upside as a receiver at the next level.

As great as Hodges is at making plays as a receiver, he has plenty of work to do as a blocker. Hodges shows the necessary power to make an impact as a run blocker at the next level, but he does do it consistently. I don’t know if Hodges gets bored blocking or what it is, but he simply does not give consistent effort as a run blocker. That simply must change at the next level.

Next: Bears Complete Seven-Round 2017 NFL Mock Draft

Hodges is a more of a move tight end than a traditional inline player. However, he has the raw skill set to grow into a more well-rounded player. At worst, Hodges is a solid receiving option with massive upside. Best case scenario, he grows as a blocker and is an absolute matchup nightmare as a receiver.

He may be worth the upside for the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

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