Chicago Bears: 5 Players who will surprise in 2019 training camp

TE Ben Braunecker

Surprisingly, Ben Braunecker might be one of the most important players on the roster. No, I don’t think he’ll be a superstar player, but at some point, he might be the one tight end who isn’t facing an injury. Yes, the Bears have some undrafted rookies who may at least make the practice squad, but Braunecker, besides Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen, is the only other tight end with some playing time (and not much at that).

Shaheen comes into training camp without really dealing with an injury. However, he has a history of injuries that have kept him from fulfilling the expectations Pace had in him when he drafted him in the second round of the 2017 draft.

Also, now Burton is dealing with a sports hernia injury. He suffered the injury just before the playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The injury didn’t heal with time so he underwent surgery for it. The Bears are hoping he’ll come back in time for training camp, but there is still doubt.

While the Bears have Burton and Shaheen, they’ll need someone behind them who can step in if one of them goes down.

Some feel the Bears will decide between Braunecker and new tight end and former offensive lineman Bradley Sowell, but I think Sowell gets a spot. The Bears want to see how he picks up the intricacies of the position.

Braunecker improved from his rookie season to last season. He was a good special teams player but got an opportunity to see the field on offense. He was mainly a blocker and made just three receptions. I think he’ll show even more in training camp and should make some meaningful catches this season.