The Chicago Bears seemed to score big in the NFL draft last season. Jaylon Johnson looks like a future stud at cornerback. Cole Kmet seems to belong as a tight end. The biggest surprise though had to be Darnell Mooney. A short, skinny wide receiver out of Tulane who never really put up huge numbers. His one bit of drawing power was his speed. What else could he bring to the table?
Critics found out the guy was so much more than met the eye. His speed was legit but more than that it was his surprising strength and route-running prowess. He instantly became the best big-play target in the Bears passing game. His 61 catches were a franchise record. It was validation they’d hit on something. Something special.
A major find for the organization.
While the scouts deserve so much credit for realizing his value, GM Ryan Pace made sure to point out last year that it was one man who made sure Mooney was drafted. Wide receivers coach Mike Furrey. He “pounded the table” for him. It’s safe to say he knew what he was talking about. So could the Bears be leaning on him again to find another hidden gem this offseason?
That seems like a possibility. Reports have emerged in ever-increasing numbers the past week that Chicago has representatives all across the country at various college pro days. For the first time, Furrey’s name came up. Where did he happen to appear? At the Western Michigan pro day. An event that just so happened to be showcasing one of the more intriguing receivers in the 2021 draft class this year.
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Western Michigan WR D'Wayne Eskridge says that he had a formal meeting with the Chicago Bears two weeks ago including GM Ryan Pace and the offensive coaching staff #Bears
— Andrew Freeman (@AjFreeman25) March 25, 2021
Can confirm #Bears WR coach Mike Furrey was in attendance today at the Western Michigan Pro Day. https://t.co/LvbS2qILCf
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) March 25, 2021
Darnell Mooney and D’Wayne Eskridge would be something
Eskridge wasn’t a big name going into this offseason. He’d had a solid career at Western Michigan, culminating in a senior year where he managed 768 yards and eight touchdowns in just six games. The highlight coming against Central Michigan where he torched them for 212 yards and three touchdowns. On just four catches, by the way. So does this mean he’s fast? Yes. Yes, it does. Word from the pro day reports he clocked 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
The same exact time Darnell Mooney clocked last year at the scouting combine.
So it isn’t hard to see the appeal. Eskridge really helped himself further with a terrific showing at the Senior Bowl, routinely torching defenders in practice. So why isn’t he getting more love? A few key reasons. He’s only 5’9. Short by NFL standards. He also isn’t a diverse route runner, having not been asked to run too many variations in college. It looks like he is destined for the slot in the NFL. This would make sense with Anthony Miller being on the trade block.
Try to imagine two burners in him and Mooney on the field at the same time.
All with Allen Robinson doing his thing. That is an appetizing situation to be sure. It would give Andy Dalton a ton of yards-after-catch potential along with Tarik Cohen. Something the Bears know they’ll need given his limited arm strength. Eskridge has the look of a player who will likely go somewhere between the 3rd and 4th rounds. He could sneak up a little higher into the 2nd but don’t be surprised if Chicago tries to nab him late on Day 2.