Who are some players the Bears could select furthur down the board?
In part one of our Chicago Bears NFL Draft roundtable series, we asked our staff to rank Chicago’s remaining positional needs. In part two, we wanted to know an under-the-radar position the Bears may address in the draft. Here’s today’s topic…
Who are some later-round prospects you have an eye on for the Bears?
Josh Sunderbruch: Tanor Bortolini is an undersized lineman by some standards, but he has athleticism and aggression that could translate well into being a fantastic flex piece in the interior of the line. He could end up being a steal as a 10-year center, but even if not there’s an equal chance that he spends the next five or six years capably backing up a player like Jenkins or Davis when they go down. Beaux Limmer has some struggles at times because he’s not fluid or quick. He is tenacious and experienced—and once more, he could easily fill in at center or guard while working his way to becoming a starter at either position.
Finally, so it’s not all interior linemen, I like the idea of picking up Tahj Washington as a security blanket for “whomever” the Bears take at quarterback this year. When playing with Caleb Williams, Washington showed an amazing degree of chemistry, and it was clear that he knew what that quarterback, in particular, wanted or needed when plays started to break down. I could easily see him being a contributor on special teams and as a blocker, as well.
ECD: I have a trio of players identified for Day 3 of the draft, provided the Bears make a few moves to gain more capital later on. Tahj Washington, out of USC, was Caleb Williams’ top target in the passing game last season and does show a good amount of upside when sandwiched between veterans like DJ Moore and Keenan Allen at WR. Jaylin Simpson of Auburn is a good all-round player at safety who will immediately be one of the best gunners on special teams on day one, and provided they bulk up in the weight room over time, can become a starting safety. And then there’s Isaac Guerendo of Louisville, who’s such a dangerous weapon out of the backfield with his combination of size and speed that’ll have Ryan Poles sprinting to the podium if he falls far enough.
Aaron Leming: There’s been a lot of talk that late Day 2 and most of Day 3 are “dead” points in the draft. But regardless of how this group outside of the top 100 might be viewed, there are bound to be some gems. I have a few that I really like, particularly on Day 3.
P Tory Taylor: Iowa’s punter is a popular name among fans, and rightfully so. The Bears need competition in the punting room, but Taylor would almost assuredly be the guy for the next 10-plus years. Sure, it’s just a punter but having one of the league’s best is not something to undervalue.
WR Luke McCaffrey: There’s just something I love about the younger McCaffrey brother. He has good size, runs surprisingly good routes, and much like his dad, isn’t afraid to go over the middle. He’s still developing as a receiver but being a former quarterback should help that along. His understanding of how to be a reliable weapon should be a big value.
G Zak Zinter: It feels like if Zinter didn’t get hurt late in the season, he’d be a Day 2 lock. While he still might go Day 2, it appears most have him at the start of Day 3. I see him as a Day 1 starter with a Pro Bowl ceiling. These are the types of shots smart teams take. Hopefully, Chicago will be one of them.
WR Xavier Legette: By no means am I saying he’s a Day 3 pick. In fact, I’d take him later in the first round. I just wanted to state publicly that I absolutely love his upside and wouldn’t be shocked to see him as a Top 5 receiver from this class when all is said and done. I love his physicality. To me, he’s the complete package and will be a selection someone will look very smart making on Day 2 in a loaded class of pass catchers.
Jacob Infante: Here are a few I have my eye on.
Rice WR Luke McCaffrey – I’m not sure if I consider McCaffrey a late-round prospect anymore – I have a fringe Round 3 grade on him right now, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s gone by the time Day 2 closes out. That said, he’s a dynamic athlete with great ball skills and a route-running IQ far beyond his experience at the receiver position. I feel confident he’ll turn into a solid starter in the league. If the Bears double-dip at wide receiver, he’s my top choice should he still be available in Round 4. I’d be more than willing to trade up a few spots for him if he’s there heading into Day 3, honestly.
Baylor DL Gabe Hall – Armed with quick hands, an explosive first step and a 92nd-percentile wingspan, Hall is an intriguing 3-technique defensive tackle who’s a bit light in the pants and high in terms of his center of gravity, but he more than makes up for it with his high motor and impressive athletic traits. He’d be a great developmental pick for the Bears early on Day 3, and I honestly wouldn’t hate taking a chance on him in a trade down in Round 3, either.
Houston Christian EDGE Jalyx Hunt – Speed is the name of the game with Hunt. A former collegiate safety who transitioned into an edge rusher, he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and flexible turning the corner on outside speed rushes. His agility in space gives him good schematic versatility, and while he’s a bit light for a 4-3 base edge rusher, Hunt’s elite length makes him more than qualified for the length threshold Ryan Poles seems to like in his draft prospects.
Illinois TE Tip Reiman – I came away impressed with Reiman’s tape, especially considering he was a walk-on entering college and turned into a two-year starter for the Fighting Illini. He’s a sturdy tight end at 271 pounds, and he uses that size very well as an in-line blocker. He’s tenacious at the point of attack, and he blocks with accurate hand placement and a sturdy anchor. Though he won’t wow you as a route-runner due to pedestrian agility in and out of his breaks, his straight-line speed is tremendous for his size. The Bears could use a TE3, and Reiman would fit that role well as a backup ‘Y’ tight end behind Cole Kmet.
Taylor Doll: With the Bears only having 4 picks at the moment, there isn’t a whole lot they can grab onto late, and obviously, that depends on where they go at 9. If the Bears go WR, I would expect an edge later, and if the Bears go edge, I would expect a WR later.
A few names I like in those categories that could be available in the 3rd or 4th round are WR Devontez Walker out of UNC; he has speed and incredible YAC skills because of his acceleration and great hands. Walker could use improvement in route running but outside of that not a whole lot of strikes on him. As for edge, two names I like are Marshawn Kneeland and Bralen Trice. Kneeland has good strength, can set the edge, can bull rush, and is a high-motor pass rusher. These are all things I believe work well with the Bears’ defense. Trice has a good speed-to-power component, and with this, he gets off his blocks quickly and efficiently, has great hands when rushing the passer, and for his size, his movement is fantastic. A few other names I like outside of those positions are Brandon Dorlus, Maason Smith, Christian Mahogany, Zak Zinter, and Sedrick Van Pran.
Taylor asked a few of us to give our thoughts via a video version, and you can check that out here.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login