If we’ve learned anything about how the Chicago Bears operate in the draft under GM Ryan Pace? It’s to expect the unexpected. They always seem to deliver a surprise choice every year. One that a lot of people didn’t see coming was Adam Shaheen. The tight end out of Ashland was a late-riser in 2017, a big athlete who used to play basketball before changing sports and dominating the small school circuit. Pace got visions of Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski when watching him.
Obviously people know the result. Shaheen ended up a major bust for the Bears. He never realized his potential as a pass-catcher, was weak blocking, and couldn’t stay on the field due to constant injury setbacks. Now here the Bears are again. They desperately need help at tight end even with the arrival of Graham in free agency. While most pinpoint Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet as the obvious target, could Pace hatch yet another surprise.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network warned that one name was quietly rising up boards in the past couple of months. That being Devin Asiasi of UCLA.
Is Asiasi another Adam Shaheen mirage?
Asiasi is a bit of a mystery. He did almost nothing his first three years in college. He transferred from Michigan in 2017 and was on the bench most of 2018. Last year he finally got his shot and had a nice season with 641 yards and four touchdowns. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com believes he has work to do, but there is definite potential for him to be a future playmaker.
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“He needs to work on eliminating bad weight and improving his technique as an in-line blocker, but his athleticism and speed really stand out in space. He’s a threat in the seam and with deep corners and over routes in a play-action based attack. Once he learns to attack throws and body defenders with his frame, he will offer value as a possession target on third downs. Asiasi’s areas of improvement are attainable and he projects as a play-making Y with future TE1 potential.”
Looking at his athleticism and body type, it’s clear Asiasi would be the heir apparent to Trey Burton. He’d fill that U-tight end role with an ability to move all over the field, creating mismatches for the quarterback to exploit. Matt Nagy and his staff would see the benefits right away. Whether Pace is comfortable with that big of a risk in the 2nd round? This is the question.
