The 2017 draft class for the Chicago Bears is largely looked at as a success today. Three of its players made the Pro Bowl in Mitch Trubisky, Eddie Jackson, and Tarik Cohen. Not bad. However, there is one glaring absentee from that group. Adam Shaheen, their 2nd round pick, was supposed to be their future at tight end. Despite relatively limited football experience, he was 6’7 with legitimate speed to threaten defenses deep if asked. It was a bold pick, especially considering GM Ryan Pace traded back in the 2nd round, passing on the likes of Budda Baker and Dalvin Cook before making it
Now a draft class never hits on every pick.
That’s close to impossible. However, with hindsight, it’s becoming clearer every week that the Bears’ failure to secure a top-quality tight end is hurting their offense more than expected. To be fair there are other issues with this group besides that position, but there is undeniable proof that having strength at it can make things a lot easier in the type of system the Bears run.
Most people know that Matt Nagy runs a variation of the offense crafted by Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. The same can be said of Doug Pederson with the Philadelphia Eagles. The difference with those two teams? They have their tight ends. Kansas City has targeted Travis Kelce a total of 43 times this season, tops on the team. They currently rank 2nd in scoring. Philadelphia has targeted Zach Ertz 45 times, also tops on the team. They rank 7th in scoring.
Shaheen? He’s been targeted eight times. Even when combined with fellow tight end Trey Burton it still only works out to 22 targets total. The Bears rank 28th in scoring. It’s clear not having anybody of consequence at that position is making life that much harder for the offense.
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Adam Shaheen offers a vital lesson to the Bears draft process
Unfortunately, Pace is learning a hard lesson about the realities of the NFL draft. Taking fliers with top draft choices on talented athletes who have limited experience at their positions is not a recipe for success. Already it looks like Leonard Floyd is a costly failure as the pass rusher they’d hoped he’d be. Now Shaheen appears destined for the status of “bust” as well. The good news is these lessons have altered the team’s draft approach in recent years.
Roquan Smith? James Daniels? Anthony Miller? David Montgomery? All of those top draft choices came with talent but also plenty of experience at their respective positions. All have flashed far more capability and consistency in the NFL thus far than Shaheen has. It’s good to know Pace is learning from his mistakes. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help solve the problem they currently have. Odds are the team will have to wait until next spring before another chance presents itself.
