Chicago Bears: 5 Tight ends to target in 2020 NFL free agency

1. Darren Fells (6-7, 270 pounds)

So let’s talk about scoring touchdowns. The Chicago Bears offense struggled to score in 2019. Without a big tight end target in the red zone, the offense had trouble finding the end zone.

Darren Fells helps fix that problem. He is enormous at 6-7 and weighing 270 pounds. He uses his body well to prevent defenders from getting to the ball. He had seven touchdowns in 2019, ranking third among tight ends. Those touchdowns catches were over 20 percent of his total catches for the season (34). As big as he is, Fells is a good route runner and has soft hands to catch well.

Fells had an interesting path to the NFL. After he graduated college, he refused advice to try out for the Minnesota Vikings and decided instead opted to play basketball overseas, per USA Today:

"I had a tryout and they wanted to have me come to training camp, but I had a guaranteed contract from five countries to play basketball and make about $100,000 with the team paying taxes, an apartment, a car and some food."

After a few years overseas he decided that he wanted to give football a chance. He got a shot with the Arizona Cardinals and stayed there for three seasons. Then he played a season each with the Lions, the Cleveland Browns, and this season with the Houston Texans.

He’s now looking to again stick with a team for more than a season. He’s shown he has the talent to help a team. That team could be the Chicago Bears.