The Next Travis Kelce? Ryan Poles May Not Be Able To Resist

Cole Kmet played well for the Chicago Bears in 2022. GM Ryan Poles sang his praises multiple times. It sounds like the Chicago Bears are committed to giving him a contract extension in the near future. That said, it shouldn't mean they will ignore the position in the draft. While Kmet has looked solid, nobody would mistake him for being one of the best weapons in the league. Poles came from Kansas City, where Travis Kelce has put together a Hall of Fame career. If he could land somebody like that, it could be a game-changer.

Luckily it appears to be an excellent year for tight ends in the 2023 draft. Many experts have called it the deepest group seen in years. Is it possible there is the next Kelce in there somewhere? After watching them work at the scouting combine, one name jumped out as an incredible carbon copy. That is Oregon State's Luke Musgrave. The dimensions between the two are so similar it's scary.

Travis Kelce:

• 6'5
• 255 lbs
• 40-yard dash: 4.63 seconds
• Vertical jump: 35 inches
• Broad jump: 124 inches

Luke Musgrave:

• 6'6
• 254 lbs
• 40-yard dash: 4.61 seconds
• Vertical jump: 36 inches
• Broad jump: 125 inches

Musgrave has all the same tools Travis Kelce does.

He's big, athletic, fast for his size, and he plays the position like a wide receiver with good hands. The critical difference between the two is Musgrave didn't get to finish his final season. He played two games before going down with an injury that ended his year. Kelce enjoyed a breakout with over 700 yards and eight touchdowns. So there is a little more unknown with Musgrave. That said, the capability is exactly the same. He offers dimensions as a player that Kmet can't. He has the speed and route-running ability to create separation up the seam.

Think about what the Bears could do if they had the two together at the same time. There is no limit to the offensive creativity coordinator Luke Getsy could unleash. It would give Justin Fields two big, viable targets that opponents will have a hard time matching up against. With the wide receiver group looking much weaker, Poles might be wiser to lean into the strength of this draft class. If Musgrave is available at the right time, he'd be an excellent addition to an offense needing weapons. Keep in mind Travis Kelce went in the 3rd round. The Bears worked with Musgrave at the Senior Bowl. They know what he can do and what he can become.