Eifert, Ertz are Perfect Fits for Chicago Bears

With tight end prospects performing at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday afternoon, the Chicago Bears should have their eyes on two players. Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert and Stanford’s Zach Ertz should both be very high on General Manger Phil Emery’s draft board. The Bears' tight end situation last season was absolutely dreadful. After Greg Olsen was sent to Carolina following the 2010 season, the Bears have not had a legitimate pass-catching option at the position. Olsen was Jay Cutler’s favorite target while he was in Chicago, and the Bears owe it to Cutler to upgrade the talent at tight end. Another season of Kellen Davis and Matt Spaeth routinely dropping passes simply can’t happen again. Both Eifert and Ertz would automatically become the Bears' best receiving tight end on the roster, and would help open up things offensively.

Tyler Eifert comes out of Notre Dame as the school’s most prolific tight end ever. Over the course of three seasons on the field, Eifert totaled 140 receptions and 1,840 receiving yards; both are school records. Eifert has shown the ability to play tight on the line, line up as an H-back, or be split out wide. During his time at Notre Dame, Eifert ran all types of routes and caught the ball nearly every time. Eifert has the strength and hands to catch passes in traffic, speed to stretch defenses down the middle, and athleticism to win jump-ball opportunities anywhere on the field. In addition to pass catching prowess, Eifert improved dramatically in run-blocking during his senior season. Prior to last year, NFL scouts questioned Eifert’s ability to be an every-down player because of his poor blocking skills. During the 2012 season, Eifert showed that he has the strength and technique to help out in the run game with his blocking, and he will have to improve on this as his career progresses. At 6 foot 5 inches and 250 pounds, Eifert has the body NFL teams now want at the position. Add in a 4.68 40-yard dash time and 35.5 inch vertical, and Eifert also possess the athleticism that is required to be a threat in the vertical passing game. With the way the NFL has evolved the last few years into a passing league, teams are searching for players like Eifert to be the next Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, or Aaron Hernandez. Given that, the Bears would be wise to seriously consider taking Eifert with the 20th selection in the first round this April.

Zach Ertz finished his junior season at Stanford as the team’s featured tight end. After Coby Fleener left Stanford with Andrew Luck following the 2011 season, Ertz thrived while receiving more playing time. Ertz started 14 games for the Cardinal, and caught 69 passes for 898 yards and 6 TDs. Ertz is nearly identical in size to Eifert at 6 foot 5 inches and 249 pounds. However, Ertz is not nearly athletic as Eifert, as evidence by running a 4.76 40-yard dash and only having a 30.5 inch vertical. But, Ertz did outperform Eifert in the bench press, by benching 225 pounds 24 times as opposed to Eifert’s 22 times. Given how Ertz performed, his athleticism, strength, and size make him a more traditional tight end. Ertz may not be able to stretch the field as well as Eifert can, but he has terrific hands and should be a very reliable possession receiver in traffic. In addition to being able to move the chains, Ertz has proven to be a very solid blocker during his time at Stanford. Ertz may be the more well-rounded option, and should be taken in the first round as well. Given the Bears draft position, either Eifert or Ertz should be available with the 20th selection. With two potential All-Pro options at tight end, GM Phil Emery has a perfect opportunity to address arguably the Bears’ biggest need.

-Eric Tichelbaut

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