The Bear Off-Season Report Part 3: TE

     What can be said about the Bears TEs that hasn't been said already. Atrocious. Dastardly. Beyond Contempt. Putrid. Okay, I guess I found a few new adjectives. It's safe to say that Kellen Davis and/or Matt Spaeth are probably out. Ditto for Kyle Adams. So what can be done at TE? There are some decent free agents available, a couple of prime time 1st Rounders, and a lot of depth in the middle rounds of this year's draft. Emery and Trestman will have to decide what the priorities are on offense. Do they look at O-Line in the first round? What kind of TE do they need? Is getting a deep-threat at WR more important? Whatever the decision, talent will be there for the taking. The Bears lacked any real threat going down the seam consistently. Edwin Rodriguez surprised many with his ability to block but was seldom used in the pass game. Even in an expanded role, he's still more of an H-Back. Look for the Bears to lock up a big, pass-catching TE (who at the very least won't fall down every time the ball hits his hands)

The free agent crop of TEs is well stocked. A lot of young guys coming off their rookie deals who have been productive. Free Agents:

• Jared Cook-TEN: Cook is big, fast, athletic and productive. Has put up numbers even though QB play in TEN has been suspect. He's 25 and coming off his rookie deal. TEN probably will  Franchise Cook (which carries a modest $5 million) so the Bears may be out of luck. He's the top available free agent.
• JerMichael Finley-GB: Bears fans are familiar with Finley. He's talented and fits like a glove in Green Bay's offense. Very productive, as are most weapons in Green bay. Missed a large chunk of the 2010 season with a knee injury but bounced back in 2011. Green Bay has put a lot of money in their offense with long-term deals given to Jordy Nelson and James Jones. Greg Jennings will likely be allowed to walk while Finley's status remains up in the air.
• Dennis Pitta-BAL: Pitta is a very interesting story; walked on to BYU as a WR, switched to TE, played his freshman year, then when a a two year mission in the Dominican Republic. Came back to BYU and broke all kinds of NCAA TE records. Drafted by BAL in the 4th round of the 2010 Draft and was slowly developed. Had a breakout year this season and is now in the Super Bowl. BAL would love to re-up with Pitta but they have a huge Joe Flacco problem. Because of his Mormon mission, Pitta is older than either Cook or Finley (he's 27)

          Best of the rest: Martellus Bennent-NYG, Brandon Myers-OAK, Fred Davis-WAS

The draft has provided a lot of value TEs in recent years. Coby Fleener, Kyle Rudolph, Jimmy Graham, etc...This year isn't any different. TE Prospects:

• Tyler Eifert-Notre Dame: There are two TEs that have 1st round grades and Eifert tops that list (although that may change after the NFL Combine.) Everyone has seen his highlights; Great hands, attacks the ball at the high point, was one of the few Notre Dame players in the National Championship game who showed up (clowned Alabama 1st Round CB prospect Dee Milner ). 2nd Team All-American, Mackey Award Winner in 2012.
• Zack Ertz-Stanford: The only other TE with a 1st Round grade thus far, Ertz is another size/speed prospect with great hands and a lot of production at Stanford. Had to sit behind Coby Fleener for his chance to display his skills and came through with 69 REC, 898 YD, 6 TD. May be faster than Eifert while being just has physically imposing
• Jordan Reed-Florida: Undersized at 6'2 but makes up for it with speed, quickness, and agility. Might be fastest TE in the draft, played in a anemic Florida Offense but still managed to produce solid numbers. Needs to bulk up and not as polished a route runner as Ertz or Eifert. 3rd Round Grade.
• Travis Kelce-Cincinnati: Has experience playing with his hand on the ground and in the slot. Exploded with production for the Bearcats this year; 45 REC, 722YD, 8TD including an 80 yard TD vs Duke with 44 seconds left to win the prestigious Belk Bowl. Kelce will be the first Bearcat taken and is a prospect with huge upside. He presently has a 3rd Round Grade but with a good combine can shoot up draft boards.

           Best of the rest: Vance McDonald-Rice, Gavin Escobar-San Diego St., Dion Sims-Mich St,   
           Nick Kasa-Colorado