Chicago Bears deserve heavy praise for second-round selection of tight end Adam Shaheen

The Chicago Bears have gotten a lot of grief for their performance in the 2017 NFL Draft. However, their selection of tight end Adam Shaheen in the second round was brilliant.

Many considered the Chicago Bears‘ performance in the 2017 NFL Draft to be sub par. The trade up for quarterback Mitch Trubisky was a shocker that has not been painted positively in the media. I think the hate that general manager Ryan Pace is getting for the Trubisky pick has been ridiculous.

Sure, he may have been able to land Trubisky with the third overall pick, but Pace was not willing to risk it on a player who he feels can lead the Chicago Bears to the promise land. The Bears giving up a few mid-round picks is not going to matter if Trubisky becomes a high-level NFL quarterback. Also, do not fool yourselves, he is a big-time quarterback prospect who has huge upside at the next level.

With a bad taste in their mouths from the trade up for Trubisky, we have seen a lot of hate for the Bears’ draft as a whole. Most notably the selection of tight end Adam Shaheen in the second round.

The Bears traded down from the 36th overall selection to number 45 before taking Shaheen. They were able to recoup some of that lost draft capital from the Trubisky trade and still land an impact player.

Shaheen comes from Ashland University, a Division II program in Ohio. Ideally, Shaheen would come from a blue blood program like Alabama or Ohio State, but just because none of us have ever heard of Ashland before, does not mean that Shaheen can not become a big-time player at the next level.

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At 6-foot-6, 278 pounds, Shaheen has elite size for the tight end position. He uses his size extremely well, showing the ability to go up and grab the ball from opposing defenders. Shaheen’s size is impressive but what it is truly incredible out him as a player is his speed and athleticism that goes along with it.

Shaheen has legitimate deep speed. He can turn on the burners and take it to the house from anywhere on the field. He has the speed to stretch the field at the next level and has legitimate run after catch ability. A guy as big as Shaheen should not be able to run as fast as he does.

While I would not call Shaheen an elite athlete, he does show good overall athleticism. He is a true red zone weapon who can bail a quarterback out with his size and ability to go up and fight for the ball. Use your eyes, not your ears. This guy can play football at an extremely high level.

Shaheen is a perfect tight end to pair with a young and inexperienced quarterback. His ability to take a short pass and create yards after the catch will help make Trubisky and/or Mike Glennon look good. Also, in emergency situations, the Bears’ quarterbacks could do worse than looking for their big and athletic tight end to throw the ball up to.

Shaheen is a big and strong man, but he has not shown much run blocking ability. That being said, with his raw ability, expect that part of his game to catch up at the next level. Regardless, Shaheen is a true weapon in the passing game. He has massive upside at the next level.

Next: Bears: 2017 NFL Draft Grades

Ryan Pace undoubtedly took some chances in the 2017 NFL Draft, but the selection of Shaheen was smart and impressive.