1. Get ready for the Bears to draft another running back.
Like four other positional groups before them, the running backs set the record for fastest average 40 time ever at a blazing 4.4 seconds—albeit in a small sample size.
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They followed that up by being just as impressive and consistent in on-field drills, with not too many throws hitting the ground. (Random fact: ex-second-round pick Kyle Trask was the designated Combine arm this year.)
As a team that could move on from D’Andre Swift for salary cap purposes and has expressed some interest in upgrading at the position, the Bears couldn’t have left the field feeling better about the prospect of taking another back in this year’s draft. They won’t have a chance at Jeremiyah Love, who would’ve been a top-10 pick before running a 4.36 and killing the on-field portion of his workout. But they’ll have a wide range of access to a strong second tier, which includes guys like Jadarian Price, Emmett Johnson, and Mike Washington, who torched the field with a 4.33.
As I’ve said before, Price should be in the conversation for the No. 25 overall pick. He’s easily RB2 in the class and did nothing to dispel that notion today. He’s a strong combination of smooth and explosive, and he has plenty of upside to explore as a pass-catcher. A lot of holes have to be plugged before that’s a realistic pick, but he’ll be in that cloud. Unless the Bears bring in a high-powered veteran, this RB feels like one that needs juice sooner rather than later.
One way or another, it’s hard to see the guy who drafted Jahmyr Gibbs not going for a running back at some point in a class this fast.
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2. Could the Bears take a late-round QB to replace Tyson Bagent?
As of right now, Bagent remains a Bear, though they’ve received interest from teams who want to poach him. Chicago will likely listen to calls for now but not make a move until they know more about the quarterback class.
If they want to get a little experimental with it, there are some interesting developmental options that Ben Johnson and company could have some fun with. In particular, why not take a flyer on Taylen Green from Oklahoma or Jalon Daniels from Kansas the way the Patriots did a few years ago with Joe Milton?
Green, in particular, put together an insane Combine, running a 4.37 and destroying Anthony Richardson’s vertical jump record for quarterbacks with a 43.5-inch leap. You can develop him as a passer and play around with getting him the ball. Daniels, meanwhile, has a rocket for an arm.
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If you make either one of those guys look good, you can flip them for picks just as New England did with Milton. I’d rather take a chance on that kind of dynamism (assuming Bagent is gone) than grabbing Cade Klubnik or something. Anyway, don’t mind me: I’ll just be imagining Green running the ball back on kick returns.
3. A strong receiver class is good for the Bears—no matter what.
Chicago doesn’t need another receiver—not even if they traded DJ Moore. Plus, they might prefer to see what Jahdae Walker can do in an extended role as well as bringing in a more reliable WR3 than Olamide Zaccheaus was. If Moore’s traded, a Day 3 option would make sense as a possible WR4, as long as you bring in a veteran, too.
No matter what happens, though, this speedy bunch of receivers can help the Bears acquire said veteran pass-catcher by forcing some of these WR3 or 4 types onto the open market with teams looking for younger, cheaper options.
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For example: what about a cheap flyer on someone like Skyy Moore, who has return experience and wouldn’t have to be a focal point in the offense? The same goes for a Braxton Berrios.
Even though the top of the receiver depth chart is basically set, pending what happens with Moore, you still have to fill out the special teams and find someone reliable enough to step up when needed. That either has to come from the draft or the free-agent pile. Fortunately, it looks like they might have some strong Day 3 options to get into.
In case you missed it, Khari also had a couple of hits on our 2nd City Gridiron channels, breaking down yesterday’s Combine performances.
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