Don’t let anybody fool you. Many NFL teams take the scouting combine more seriously than they let on. Several front offices and coaching staffs tend to favor athletic upside over game film. It is how things are. This is why several draft prospects either see their stocks rise or plummet, depending on their performances in Indianapolis. The Chicago Bears were treated to the same kind of show again.
Several prospects that were expected to at least do well during drills ended up disappointing. Some of them even had 1st round aspirations. Now it seems like the possibility is growing, they may stumble to Day 2 of the draft. While sad for them, it could end up being sweet music for the Bears since they have no 1st rounder. If they’re willing to overlook the combine (and it sounds like they are), then here are some names that could end up being steals.
Chicago Bears may get lucky if these players drop
Treylon Burks (WR, Arkansas)
There was a lot of 1st round buzz around Burks coming out of Arkansas. The past two years, he’d been their best offensive weapon with 1,924 yards and 19 touchdowns. What stood out the most was his big-play capability. He averaged 16.4 yards per reception. Something good happened whenever he touched the ball. So people expected him to test well at the combine. Instead, he managed a mediocre 4.55 time in the 40-yard dash and disappointing 33 inches in the vertical jump. This has led to questions about his upside in the NFL. If the Bears were telling the truth and focusing more on the film, he will be a good player.
David Bell (WR, Purdue)
One of the most prolific receivers in the Big Ten over the past three years. Bell finished just shy of 3,000 yards with 21 touchdowns. His impressive route-running skills and ability to make tough catches gave defenses fits. While nobody expected him to set records during testing, they were hopeful he’d show out well. He did not. Bell had a rough 4.65 time in the 40. Glacial by wide receiver standards. This confirmed the fears of many that he may struggle to create explosive plays in the NFL. Poles himself has said he will prioritize speed. Even so, if Bell drops to the 3rd round or even later, he would be worth taking a chance on. He can ball.
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Kenyon Green (OG, Texas A&M)
With the Chicago Bears offense likely to incorporate more outside-zone concepts, it will require offensive linemen with quickness and mobility. In that regard, Green did not have the showing he needed. A slow 5.24 in the 40-yard dash and a 26-inch vertical jump raise questions about his ability to get out and move. Some of this could be weight, though. He’s currently 323 lbs. Dropping some of that might help. In addition, he does bring something this regime covets: physicality and nastiness. Green can overwhelm defenders in the run game, serving pancakes at every opportunity. He has the sort of tone-setting mentality they want.
Kenyon Green OG TAMU
Played LT, LG, RG, RT throughout college. Guard at the next level. Emergency Tackle. Physical. Mean.
Roll the film
— 704CAST (@704cast) February 26, 2022
Ed Ingram (OG, LSU)
A man who had pretty much the same issues as Green did. In a league that needs linemen with more range, Ingram didn’t put up the test numbers he needed to. While his 5.02 time in the 40 was fine, his 20.5-inch vertical jump and 7.84 seconds in the three-cone drill were both bad. It leads to questions about his ability to explode out of his stance and get out on the move. Yet that didn’t seem to bother him at the Senior Bowl, where he routinely dominated pass protection drills. The guy is always tough to move off his spot and rarely caught off guard by blitzes or twists. A competent coaching staff would be able to recognize those valuable traits.
Greg Dulcich (TE, UCLA)
The primary concern at tight end for the Chicago Bears has been a lack of explosiveness. Cole Kmet has size and strength, but his inability to stretch the field is a sore spot for many. Seeing Dulcich average 17.6 yards per catch along with his game tape led many to think he provides such a dimension. Then he ran a 4.69 in the 40, just barely beating Kmet’s own time from two years ago. So is he fast or not? The film says he is, and there is no denying Dulcich is a good weapon in the passing game with strong hands and an ability to track the football like a natural receiver. With Jimmy Graham gone, the team has to think about another option at tight end.
