2017 NFL Draft: Where Adam Shaheen fits on the Chicago Bears’ tight end depth chart
The Chicago Bears selected tight end Adam Shaheen with the 45th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Where does he fit in the team’s plans this year?
After trading up to grab Mitch Trubisky in the first round yesterday, the Chicago Bears were short on picks over the next few rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. They came into the day with only one second, fourth, fifth, and seventh-round pick each to address their numerous roster holes. But as I hoped he would, Ryan Pace had a plan to get those picks back.
Interestingly, as I thought they might be, the Arizona Cardinals were the aggressive team looking to swap with the Bears. The Cards moved up from #45 to #36, giving the Bears a bevy of picks back in return. Following the move to #45, Chicago gained a fourth- (#119) and a sixth-round pick (#197) while giving away their seventh-round pick (#221). And with the 45th-overall pick, they went in an unexpected direction.
Rather than going with a defensive back like Obi Melifonwu or Quincy Wilson, Pace elected to take an offensive player for the second straight pick. They went with Division-II star tight end Adam Shaheen, a guy with tremendous athletic upside and huge redzone ability. If you haven’t seen his highlights, here you go. He’s so dominant that it’s basically laugh-worthy.
His size immediately makes you think “Baby Gronk”, and physically, that’s probably close. He’s over 6’6” and about 280 pounds, which is almost offensive tackle size. He also has very good hands for his size—a product of his basketball background. But the way he runs with the football after the catch, he looks like a giant, slightly slower Greg Olsen to me. Of course, there’s no proof yet that he runs routes like Olsen, so that’s something we’ll be looking for. Also, he doesn’t have much of a reputation as a blocker, making him more of a pass-catching specialist early in his career.
Make no mistake: this is all for Trubisky. One of the big reasons why people decried the thought of the Bears drafting a quarterback was because they lack offensive weapons to help him develop. Don’t worry: Pace realizes that, and he swung out of his shoes trying to get him a big one. Whether he ever becomes a reliable every-down tight end is a question for later, of course.
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At the moment, the Bears tight end room looks pretty crowded. Atop it sits Zach Miller, who’s a very good football player when he’s on the field. Unfortunately, staying on the field is something he struggles to do. In a nod to this, Chicago added young depth at the position in MyCole Pruitt and Dion Sims. Both these players have upside as pass-catching tight ends. Sims is likely the backup to Miller at this point. After that, two undrafted rookies from last season—Ben Braunecker and Daniel Brown—round out the depth chart with Green Bay Packers’ castoff Justin Perillo.
Knowing how much development Shaheen will need as a blocker and route-runner, the new Chicago Bear will likely start out about third or fourth on the depth chart in training camp. Given his tantalizing ability, I would expect that he’ll get snaps as a redzone threat at some point this year. As it stands, that probably means at least one of those undrafted free agents is destined for the practice squad.
Next: Rapid reaction of Chicago Bears' selection of Adam Shaheen
This is turning into a boom-or-bust draft for Pace. Rather than focusing on trying to win now, he’s selling hope and promise for the future. At first blush, at least, this move will aid Trubisky’s development as the Bears’ franchise quarterback. And while it might not be what fans want right now, isn’t that exactly what they should do? I’m not saying the Bears shouldn’t add corners or safeties tomorrow in the fourth round. I certainly hope they do.
But perhaps his willingness to wait on the defense signals that he thinks the defense will be better this year without top draft talent. I personally am of the opinion that the defense is closer to being good than the offense anyway. And after years of the Bears failing to fully invest in the offense, Ryan Pace is going all in in the 2017 NFL Draft.
I hope it works, for his sake.