Chicago Bears: 5 Tight ends to target in 2020 NFL free agency
5. Nick Vannett (6-6, 261 pounds)
The Chicago Bears tried to do something with a player who was similar to New England Patriots great Rob Gronkowski. That experiment failed. Would they try again with another Gronk wannabe?
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At 6-6, 261 pounds Nick Vannett gives Trubisky an enormous target. He isn’t a prolific pass catcher that Gronkowski was. However, he can be a better asset in the passing game than he has been. He has soft hands and he runs good routes and he makes good use of angles and does a good job of finding the soft part of a zone.
Vannett is a good blocker, something that Shaheen apparently wanted no part of. He can get in there and help the offensive line on either run or pass plays. Vannett’s primary use was as a blocker at Ohio State so he wasn’t developed much in the passing game.
Seattle drafted Vannett in the third round (94th overall) in 2016. Again, he was mainly used as a blocker but in 2018 he caught 29 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns.
Vannett will be useful in helping the offensive line as an extra blocker. If the Bears could get him to be more involved in the passing game he greatly improves the tight end unit and the offense.