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Detroit Lions at the bottom of the NFC North tight end power rankings

By Ash Thompson

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 10: Trey Burton #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches the pass for a touchdown during the first quarter of game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 10: Trey Burton #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches the pass for a touchdown during the first quarter of game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

The Chicago Bears tight ends

The Chicago Bears may have the best group on this list at the end of the season. For the moment, they are selling hope and dreams. Trey Burton was a heavily sought-after free agent this offseason. He is stepping into the receiver-tight end hybrid spot that Bears head coach Matt Nagy calls the “U.” This role was manned by Travis Kelce in Nagy’s last stop.

Burton is a much smaller player than Kelce, but his athleticism suits the role. The Lions went after Burton in an effort to replace Ebron and came up short. The Bears gambled $32 million over four years that Burton has more in him than he has given thus far.

Burton was never the primary target from the tight end spot in Philadelphia. He has a career high of 37 receptions. The good money is on him exceeding that significantly barring injury in 2018.

Dion Sims is a completely different player from Burton. He is not a blocking specialist, but that is clearly his primary role in the NFL. Sims is 269 lbs and will take on the Y tight end spot. He has good hands and he should man the role until Adam Shaheen develops.

Shaheen, if you will recall, was the Bears second-round draft pick in 2017 out of Ashland. He was a raw talent, well regarded for his potential at the position. Even the day he was drafted, however, the consensus was that Shaheen was a couple years away from producing. As a rookie, he pulled in 12 balls for 127 yards and three touchdowns.

The Bears have the most potential to develop within the NFC North tight end groups. For the moment though, their lack of proven ability lands the group third in the NFC North.

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