Consider it National Tight Ends Day (Taylor’s Version). With the wedding of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift happening later this week, we’re told that many tight ends from throughout the league will be heading to New York to attend the festivities. It’s no surprise. The annual Tight End University has created a new brotherhood among the men who are expected to block like linemen and to catch passes like receivers. Kelce founded the TEU with George Kittle and Greg Olsen in 2021. All signs reported to Madison Square Garden being the epicenter of the gathering. And there surely will be plenty of citizen journalists with their iPhones ready to get pictures of anyone and everyone who will be there for it
A few weeks ago, an idea was proposed to our staff to have a fantasy draft, with the draft pool consisting of all current and former Chicago Bears. Being a huge fan of fantasy football, I jumped at the idea. To me, this seemed like the ultimate fantasy lineup-building exercise. There were a total of 25 rounds, in total we would draft 11 offensive starters, 11 defensive starters, a kicker, a punter and a special team contributor of our choice. I’m here to explain my drafting strategy, break down my picks, and make my case as to why my team is the best of the 8 drafted. So without further ado, I present: The Gary’s Bears . In a snake draft format, I was given the 7th pick, and in my eyes it’s always better to be closer to #1 or #8, as the near back-to-back picks allows you to double up on value, and while being 7th might see a drop off of top end talent, it allows you to tackle needs better with better talent overall across the roster. My picks were as follows: R1, Pick 7: QB, Jay Cutler R2, Pick 10: MLB, Mike Singletary R3, Pick 23: WR, Alshon Jeffery R4, Pick 26: LT, Jimbo Covert R5, Pick 39: FB, Rick Casares R6, Pick 42: WR, Johnny Morris R7, Pick 55: RT, Keith Van Horne R8, Pick 58: TE, Greg Olsen R9, Pick 71: LG, Mark Bortz R10, Pick 74: RG, Ray Bray R11, Pick 87: C, Dan Neal R12, Pick 90: DE, Ed O’Bradovich R13, Pick 103: CB, Bennie McRae R14, Pick 106: SS, Shaun Gayle R15, Pick 119: DT, Alan Page R16, Pick 122: FS, Danieal Manning R17, Pick 135: DT, Jim Flanigan R18, Pick 138: RB, Jordan Howard R19, Pick 151: K, Cairo Santos R20, Pick 154: LB, Danny Trevathan R21, Pick 167: CB, Terry Schmidt R22, Pick 170: DE, Bryan Robinson R23, Pick 183: LB, Warrick Holdman R24, Pick 186: ST, Brendon Ayanbadejo R25, Pick 199: P, Maury Buford The Chicago Bears have a rich history on the defensive side of the ball, perhaps the richest in NFL history. Unfortunately, that rich history never really translated to the other side of the ball, and outside the offensive line and running back positions, the Bears have spent most of their 100+ year history struggling to find talent. My plan was simple: Focus on the offense, drafting them early and often to soak up as much of the franchise’s talent on that side of the ball as possible, and then fill the roster with strong defensive picks who were productive in their time with the Bears, as per the rules of the fantasy draft, you assume that production carries over to modern day. Then, anchor it with arguably one of the best MLB’s in NFL history. I did just this, as 11 of my first 12 picks all went to the offensive side of the ball. I drafted my quarterback first round, knowing that I did not want to be stuck with essentially any quarterback outside of maybe three guys in our history, surround him with playmakers, and stack the offensive line, not only protecting my quarterback, but also giving my backfield duo a fantastic line to block for them. R1, Pick 7: QB, Jay Cutler I had my eyes on one of two quarterbacks, Caleb Williams or Jay Cutler. And with Caleb going second overall, I was more than happy to find myself with Cutler at pick 7. Depending on how you look at things, Cutler is the franchise’s best quarterback, leading it in completions, yards, touchdowns, 4th quarter comebacks, and game-winning drives. Until Williams was drafted by the Bears in 2024, he possesses the most arm talent of any Bears quarterback to ever lace them up. R18, Pick 138: RB, Jordan Howard Most of the higher-end running backs were off the board early, but my logic was to build out the guys in front of your Running Back to make him that much better. Look at the dividends the investment in the line paid for Swift and Monangai just this past year. Howard spent just three years with the Bears, but he was steadily productive in that time averaging 1123 yards and 8 touchdowns a season. He shined in his rookie year, going for 1313 yards, good for second in the league and earning a Pro Bowl t
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Good morning, New York Giants fans! NY Giants’ top 10 most important players: No. 8 — LB Arvell Reese NFC East Grades: Where do the NY Giants stack up at safety? Survey: Which player will be the NY Giants’ hidden gem? Speaking of former first-round picks in that scheme: Maybe there is still hope for Deonte Banks with the Giants? The Giants then, predictably, declined Banks’s fifth-year option for 2027, turning this year into a contract year. And the fourth-year pro has responded with a nice spring, flashing confidence that seemed to have left him, and may be a product of going back to a system, run by John Harbaugh’s new DC Dennard Wilson, that’s like Martindale’s. Now, if Banks is going to start, he’ll have to earn it. Paulson Adebo is locked in at one spot, Greg Newsome II is coming aboard from Jacksonville , and the team got what was widely seen as a steal in Colton Hood in the second round. But so far, so good for the 25-year-old. 15. Patrick Ricard , FB, New York Giants. A perennial Pro Bowl fullback, Ricard will be integral in helping the Giants establish the physical brand of football that new head coach John Harbaugh wants. Ricard’s lead-blocking skills will clear rush lanes for dual-threat quarterback Jaxson Dart and a balanced running back room that gets Cam Skattebo back from injury. Likely was in attendance at the Tight End University (TEU), run by George Kittle , Travis Kelce , and Greg Olsen . Established in 2021, TEU brings tight ends together for a three-day immersive program. During that time, players bond, collaborate, and learn from one another while participating in film study, on-field drills, recovery sessions, rehabilitation work, and more. Retired legends also provide attendees with the opportunity to learn from some of the best to ever play the position. It was easy to forget. Watching all the Giants’ work this spring, all the time on the field, all the 7-on-7 drills and full-team periods, seeing quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston and Brandon Allen firing the ball hither and yon to a bevy of targets — wide receivers, tight ends and running backs — it was easy to forget who was not out there. 20. New York Giants. Jaxson Dart’s performance as a rookie saw the Giants move up seven spots in our QB rankings. Dart started 12 games as a rookie and scored 24 total touchdowns, 15 of which came through the air. However, his 6.7 yards per completion ranked ahead of just four quarterbacks with at least 300 pass attempts. Jameis Winston returns as the veteran backup after starting two games in 2025. Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux . Thibodeaux will play the 2026 season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract for $14.751 million. He will do it as the Giants’ third edge rusher behind Brian Burns and Abdul Carter . It appears the Giants are going to make Thibodeaux play it out. There hasn’t been any talk of an extension. He knows it’s a big season for him after two injury-plagued years. Thibodeaux has missed 12 games over the past two seasons and compiled just 8.0 sacks. This year will determine whether he can get the big long-term deal he desires. Commanders tackle Laremy Tunsil takes Josh Conerly under his wing: ‘I see myself’ in him | NFL.com Falcons, star TE Kyle Pitts agree to 3-year, $54M deal | The Athletic Jaguars sign tight end Brenton Strange to three-year contract extension | Pro Football Talk What’s Zay Flowers’ value to Ravens? Lamar Jackson weighs in | ESPN.com The 49ers are reportedly considering relocating their practice facilities | Yahoo Sports Bills owner Terry Pegula helps open team’s new $2.1 billion stadium | FOX Sports Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to bigblueview@gmail.com and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag. BBV on X: Follow @BigBlueView | Ed Valentine: @Valentine_Ed | Threads: @ed.valentine Bluesky: @edvalentine BBV on Facebook: Click here to like the Big Blue View Facebook page BBV on YouTube: Subscribe to the Big Blue View YouTube channel [... truncated ...]
Travis Kelce is expected to attend and host Tight End University in Nashville, a four-day bootcamp for NFL tight ends starting June 23. This marks Kelce's sixth consecutive year at the event he co-founded with George Kittle and Greg Olsen
When the Cleveland Browns selected TE Harold Fannin Jr. in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft , there were high hopes for what he could become , in time. Instead of wasting any time getting used to the huge jump from Bowling Green to the NFL, Fannin had 72 receptions in 16 games as a rookie, adding 731 receiving yards and six touchdowns to the boxscore. Now, with HC Todd Monken in place and more talent around him, Fannin could be looking at a breakout season in 2026 . Fannin is still among the youngest players on the Browns roster and sits atop the tight end depth chart heading into his second season. Fannin has not just grabbed Cleveland fans’ attention, but that of San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle : Kittle has spent nine years in the NFL, with four seasons over 1,000 yards receiving, something that is very rare for the tight end position. Along with Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen , Kittle founded Tight End University as a chance to help players at the position grow and develop together. Last year, as a rookie, Fannin had three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown against Kittle’s Niners. All three led or tied for the lead for a Browns team that struggled passing the ball in 2025. What do you think the ceiling is for Fannin after his rookie year? Does Kittle’s endorsement give you more confidence in his future? Share your thoughts in the comment section below Sign up for a user account and get: Fewer ads Create community posts Comment on articles, community posts Rec comments, community posts New, improved notifications system!
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