Bears drafts Cole Kmet with No. 43 pick

The Chicago Bears can’t get enough tight ends. They selected Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet with the 43rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after signing Jimmy Graham to a two-year, $16 million deal this offseason. He’s the first tight end off the board, but can he make a difference on a team that’s loaded at his position?

Kmet tallied 43 receptions for 515 yards in his final season with Notre Dame. He was second on his team in receptions and receiving yards. He was hardly a factor in either of his first two years with the Fighting Irish, but was able to become a valuable piece his final season.

Scouting Report

Kmet has a 6’5” frame and plenty of athleticism to go with it. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but his 37-inch vertical gives him a large catch radius. He’s also very fluid as a route runner. His pass and run blocking could use some improvement though.

Fantasy football impact

Rookie

Don’t expect Kmet to make his mark as a rookie. Graham will be the starter, but Kmet will also have to compete with Adam Shaheen, Demetrius Harris, and Ben Braunecker. Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller are also above Kmet in the pecking order. He should be an afterthought in fantasy football.

Long-term

Kmet is one of the top tight ends in a weak class, and he hasn’t showcased the kind of big play potential that could make him a highly sought after player at his position. He doesn’t appear to have the makings of a go-to guy, so some other team’s TE2s could have more upside than him as a starter. He could get inside the top 20 at some point in terms of fantasy football production, but he’ll likely be 25th or higher for most of his career.