Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky leads Week 1 hot takes
By Ryan Heckman
Hot Take Number 2: Jimmy Graham is still a top-10 tight end
You read that correctly. Even with the above photo of Graham dropping a pass, he is still going to be a top-10 tight end in the NFL this season. Whether you consider that to be in the fantasy football world or the real world, take it for what you will.
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Graham added an element to the offense Sunday that hasn’t been seen in quite some time. He established himself as a true crucial-down option for Trubisky. After the game, Graham addressed both of his drops (which some may pin on Trubisky) by saying he has to be better.
“I got to lead my room,” he told reporters following the win.
To begin the game, Graham had four targets and zero receptions. Two of those targets included the drops. But, then Graham came back to life.
His touchdown catch may have been a quick, short route in the end zone, but that’s exactly what the Bears have been missing. This offense needed a huge, athletic target who has done the old back shoulder turn in the end zone a thousand times — and that’s Graham. Might I add, it was a beautiful throw by Trubisky.
The play which really stood out for Graham, though, was later in the fourth quarter when he took a short pass and turned upfield for 16 yards, nearly scoring. In fact, at first, it looked like a touchdown. The effort and athleticism was on full display for the wily veteran.
This is only week one, but if Graham makes good on his vow to eliminate those drops and continue being the go-to target for some of those crucial situations, he will finish this season as a top-10 tight end, no question.