8. Chicago Bears
The first-round selection of the talented Greg Olsen, along with nine-year veteran Desmond Clark, gives the Bears a formidable tandem at tight end. Clark has natural receiving skills and is an excellent route runner. He uses his foot quickness and agility to get separation in short and intermediate zones. He has very soft hands and can make tough receptions in traffic. Clark is not a physical blocker, but can wall off well enough to make room to run on the edge. Olsen is an unproven NFL commodity who has the potential to be an impact player as a rookie. If he can gain strength and learn the Bears' system quickly, he will give Chicago the flexibility of having two excellent receiving tight ends on the field simultaneously. John Gilmore is Chicago's third tight end. He is primarily used in goal-line and short-yardage situations.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
The combination of veterans L.J. Smith and Matt Schobel, along with midround draft choice Brent Celek, gives the Eagles a very formidable tight end corps. Smith has good size and athleticism to be an effective run-blocker and receiver. Smith generates effective power as a run-blocker with quickness, hand use and leg strength. He has soft hands and has developed into an excellent route runner since entering the league in 2003. Smith displays power and agility after the catch and had his best season moving the chains in 2006. Schobel was a solid acquisition for the Eagles in the offseason, giving the offense another good receiver who can be used as an H-back or on the line of scrimmage. Philadelphia's air attack spreads the ball well to several positions and this group of athletic tight ends should add to the already-versatile Eagles offense.
