Chicago Bears: 5 Tight end prospects to target in 2020 NFL Draft

The NFL is a copycat league. With the success of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, other teams will scour the land for similar prospects. One such prospect is Adam Trautman.

Chicago Bears General manager Ryan Pace likes to go with small school prospects. He missed out big time with Shaheen but can hit on Trautman. Trautman didn’t play for a big school but he didn’t play for a Division II school like Shaheen did.

The 6-5, 251-pound Trautman gives quarterback Mitchell Trubisky a lot of options. He can play in-line, in the slot, out wide, or even at fullback. He explodes from the snap and has good speed for a tight end. Additionally, he has good agility and being a former basketball player he can box out the defender and go up for the ball.

He runs good routes and does a good job of creating space. With his explosiveness and speed, he can break out as if he’s going long and knock the defender off-balance by cutting to the middle quickly.

Playing at Dayton, Trautman was easily the best player on the field. He got a chance against better competition in the Senior Bow, however, and he did the same thing — he used his moves and quickness to lose linebackers and safeties consistently.

In 2019, Trautman caught 70 passes for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was particularly effective in the red zone. He lined up as a receiver and created big mismatches. Then the quarterback threw it up and Trautman outjumped the smaller defensive backs and made catches. This could be an incredible help for the Chicago Bears offense.

Trautman started as a quarterback so he is still learning the position. He can provide some added depth in his first season without having to be the main guy. He has the skills to be a starter and perform well in the offense. He’s projected to go in the fourth round so he could be one of Pace’s mid-draft steals.