2023 Senior Bowl: Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave warrants Bears’ attention

The 2023 Senior Bowl kicks off with its first practice session on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The nation’s top senior NFL Draft prospects will compete during three days of practices and a showcase game in an effort to elevate their draft stock. For a team like the Chicago Bears, it offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of what this year’s prospects do well and, hopefully, increase the odds that they’ll make the right pick.

This year’s Senior Bowl features several players who can provide the Bears with an upgrade on both sides of the ball, including Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave. With Cole Kmet entering his fourth season, it’s become clear that he offers value as a chain-moving tight end with red-zone upside, but his limited playmaking ability should have GM Ryan Poles searching for a more athletic option on passing downs.

Musgrave has a chance to be that guy. According to sources close to Bears Talk, Musgrave measured in at 6057 (verified) and 250 pounds (verified) before the 2022 college football season. He’s been tagged with an estimated 4.55 40-yard dash by scouts, a height/weight/speed combination similar to former Bears first-round pick and eventual Carolina Panthers star Greg Olsen.

The Senior Bowl will be critically important for Musgrave’s 2023 NFL Draft stock. He was limited to two games this season because of a knee injury and has become somewhat overlooked as NFL Draft season kicks off. His return to action in Mobile, Alabama, should jumpstart his ascent up the draft board.

Photo by Serena Morones for The Oregonian/OregonLive

Luke Musgrave’s playmaking ability will appeal to Chicago Bears

Musgrave is a freaky athlete. In fact, he was named to Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List last summer, an annual collection of the nation’s most impressive physical specimens. I expect he’ll be rusty at the start of the Senior Bowl, but don’t be surprised if he ends the week as one of the game’s biggest winners.

Musgrave’s ability to win with speed as a route-runner would be a welcome addition to the Chicago Bears passing game. He has the twitch and separation skills to win reps against rangy linebackers and safeties on the next level. More importantly, Musgrave can do damage after the catch, something Kmet has struggled to do since joining the Bears as a second-round pick in 2019.

Luke Musgrave is a playmaker. Keep an eye on him at Oregon State.

pic.twitter.com/aG58pzWFBn

— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) September 4, 2022

Currently trending as a likely second-round pick, Musgrave should be on the board when the Bears pick with the Baltimore Raven’s second-round selection. There’s a chance Chicago’s second-rounder will occur after the traditional run on wide receivers takes place. Musgrave would be a fine alternative to add a pass catcher with an incredibly high ceiling if it does.

Where Musgrave struggles is in the run game. He won’t make a living with his run blocking, but that’s not what the Bears need. Instead, Chicago must add targets for Justin Fields, and focusing on a player with “plus” size and athletic ability — regardless of whether he’s a wideout or tight end — is a logical strategy.

Tight end doesn’t rank high on most analysts’ wish lists for the Chicago Bears this offseason. Kmet’s career-high six touchdown catches are a big reason why. But that should change as the next few months unfold. And if Poles isn’t thrilled with the group of wide receivers who slide into the middle-to-late portion of Round 2, circle Musgrave as a player to watch.