When it comes to drafting players, the primary authority resides with the Chicago Bears GM. That is Ryan Pace. He holds the final say. However, one thing he’s made clear over the years is he accepts input from everybody inside the organization. The more opinions he gets, the more accurate picture of a player he’s liable to have. This goes a long way towards being able to score players that other teams might’ve overlooked.
One group that doesn’t get enough credit for their impact on drafts is position coaches. These guys are tasked with turning all of these young men into true professionals. It would obviously make sense to get their input on what might be the best qualities to look for.
That led to an interesting question. When looking at this draft class, who are some potential prospects that fit the profile of what every Bears position coach tends to look for? After doing some research, I put together a list of names.
Who might Chicago Bears position coaches bang the table for?
John DeFilippo (Quarterbacks) – Davis Mills, Stanford
Being well-traveled as he is, DeFilippo has been involved in the drafting of several quarterbacks during his career. One persistent feature that tends to stand out with most of them? They need to have an arm. Somebody capable of driving the ball down the field. Derek Carr and Carson Wentz are two primary examples in this case. Mills fits that profile well. He has good size to go along with the arm talent to attack defenses not just vertically but deep over the middle and on out patterns. There are concerns about his inexperience (only started 11 games) but that is a challenge DeFilippo would embrace.
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Michael Pitre (Running backs) – Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State
This is cheating a bit since Pitre coached Jefferson for his entire college career. Yet it’s obvious the two made sweet music together. In three seasons, Jefferson racked up 2,923 yards rushing and scored 29 total touchdowns. While he isn’t used much in the passing game, his effectiveness as a runner can’t be ignored. He’s a bit on the shorter side but makes up for that with deceptive strength and the vision to thrive is a zone-based scheme like the Bears run. The fact the two know each other so well makes it an easy connection.
SCOUTING REPORT- Elijah Moore (WR) Ole Miss
Final Grade- 7.35
Scout-@sbtrey23 https://t.co/wRKU7C1OMA#DraftTwitter #NFLTwitter #NFLDraft #NFL #OleMiss pic.twitter.com/AsSivYP6P1— BLITZALYTICS (@Blitzalytics) April 15, 2021
Mike Furrey (Wide receivers) – Elijah Moore, Ole Miss
The last original position coach standing and it’s not hard to understand why. Furrey is pretty good at his job. He helped Allen Robinson return to his Pro Bowl form and then played a pivotal role in them drafting Darnell Mooney. Based on what the Chicago Bears have done at wide receiver since he arrived? His preferences are pretty clear. Size doesn’t matter as much as quickness and route-running skill. Speed also doesn’t hurt. Moore is one of those types of receivers. Not overly big but so quick, detailed on his routes, and fast enough to make defenses pay if they don’t respect him.
Juan Castillo (Offensive line) – Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa
The benefit with Castillo? He’s been around a long time. That makes it a bit easier to get a gauge on what he tends to prefer from his linemen. Two things stand out. Size and athleticism. Castillo likes them big and wants them to be able to move. It was true of Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan in Philadelphia. It was also true of Ronnie Stanley in Baltimore. That is why Stone Forsythe should not be ignored. That is why Brown should be circled by everybody. He’s a mountain at 6’8, 311 lbs with 34-inch arms. He also reportedly tested at the top of the scale in terms of athleticism. It is not a coincidence the Chicago Bears have been caught talking to him multiple times this offseason.
Ok, Payton Turner. 6053, 270. 35" Arms. Look at that ability to corner and how far outside his frame his right foot catches to make this turn. pic.twitter.com/vnJu79G1bT
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) March 26, 2021
Chris Rumph (Defensive line) – Payton Turner, Houston
One of the newer additions to the Bears defensive staff. Rumph is highly experienced when it comes to defensive linemen. Especially at the collegiate level. When examining the types of players he molded, a few traits that consistently stood out were length and power. They needed to be able to keep blockers off their bodies and have the strength to hold their ground. Turner checks both of those boxes. He’s 6’5 with 35-inch arms and demonstrated a natural power in his game both as a run defender and pass rusher. Add some weight to his frame and he could become an even better version of Roy Robertson-Harris.
Bill Shuey (Outside linebackers) – Chris Rumph II, Duke
It’s rather fitting that the best fit for Shuey happens to be the son of the Bears’ defensive line coach. One persistent feature that Shuey learned about pass rushers is that size isn’t always a prerequisite. It’s how often you’re able to find a way into the backfield. Trent Cole was only 6’2 but he became a tremendous player in Philadelphia while Shuey was there. Rumph II is another of those types. People will kill him for being average height and too light but then they turn on the tape and see the guy constantly giving quarterbacks problems from his myriad of ways he can attack the backfield.
NICK BOLTON: LB3
Led the SEC in stops in 2019 & 2020.
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 16, 2021
Bill McGovern (Inside linebackers) – Nick Bolton, Missouri
McGovern has coached linebackers for more than two decades. So he’s seen all the variations of them over the years. This was the man who molded Luke Kuechly at Boston College. In all that time, it’s difficult to tell if he has preferences since the man has coached every variation you can think of. After examining things though, it seems he has a liking for guys who are athletic and instinctive. They need to be able to cover ground and know both where they’re supposed to be and where they’re going from snap to snap. Bolton demonstrated both qualities at Missouri. He shows a consistent knack for finding the ball carrier, has the speed to get there, and isn’t afraid to lower the boom either. Chicago Bears fans would love him.
Deshea Townsend (Secondary) – Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas
One tendency that assistant coaches always seem to have. They seem to seek out players that remind them of themselves. Townsend played in the NFL for a long time. During his career, he developed a reputation for being athletic, physical, and aggressive. The drafting of Jaylon Johnson last season fit that profile in every way. It wouldn’t take him long to see similar traits in Rochell. The kid has everything a team could want. Good size, athletic, fast, and loves playing up in the face of the receiver. He did play at a smaller school so it might be an adjustment period but this guy has the makings of a starting NFL cornerback.