4 TEs the Bears could target with each pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles holds a special appreciation for tight ends. Poles signed Cole Kmet to a four-year extension worth $50 million last July. That didn’t prevent Poles from adding Gerald Everett via unrestricted free agency. With Chicago’s specific draft capital in mind, we’ve identified four tight end prospects, including an undrafted free-agent type, the Bears should target in the 2024 NFL Draft.

FIRST ROUND (NO. 9) | BROCK BOWERS | GEORGIA

Drafting a tight end with the ninth selection would be a shocker, but it’s worth acknowledging that Georgia’s Brock Bowers is widely considered a top-10 talent. It’s conceivable to believe Bowers could be the best overall prospect available when Poles comes back on the clock at No. 9. An elite pass catcher, Bowers shouldn’t be pigeonholed by position. Bowers is a difference-making receiver.

“He’s more of an offensive weapon than a traditional TE…”@gregcosell breaks down Georgia star Brock Bowers: pic.twitter.com/cCBioz2zj7

— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) March 28, 2024

THIRD ROUND (NO. 75) | JA’TAVION SANDERS | TEXAS

Sanders has lost some momentum throughout the pre-draft process, making it less likely he’s drafted within the opening 64 selections. Sanders was a big-time weapon for the Longhorns last season, who advanced to the College Football Playoff. Sanders recorded 45 receptions for 682 yards and two touchdowns.

FOURTH ROUND (NO. 122) | JAHEIM BELL | FLORIDA STATE

Bell gives off tweener vibes, but he’s a well-built, compact open-field weapon that breaks through arm tackles in space. Bell is an alignment-versatile prospect that would be capable of moving all around Shane Waldron’s offensive formations. Bell utilizes short-area quickness and burst to defeat coverage.

Jaheim Bell is a TE prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 8.43 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 180 out of 1141 TE from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/9uMknDJRJR pic.twitter.com/ZCyjZWvwX0

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 28, 2024

UDFA | TREY KNOX | SOUTH CAROLINA

Knox ran a poor 40 at the NFL Combine, positioning himself in undrafted territory. He was a core member of a South Carolina offense in 2023 that featured Spencer Rattler and Xavier Legette. Knox totaled career-highs in receptions (37) and receiving yards (312) this past campaign.