If it weren’t clear already, the Chicago Bears aren’t going to leave any avenue unexplored in their efforts to find a quarterback this offseason. That isn’t limited to just the top of the NFL draft. They’ve already dabbled in free agency (Andy Dalton) and explored the trade market. Word is they’ve also done heavy research on quarterbacks expected to go later in the draft. Brady Davis is not a name most will recognize though.
Plenty of rumors have emerged in the past few weeks of the Bears looking even deeper into the pool at possible FCS, Division III, and even FCF quarterbacks. Guys who either didn’t get to play last year due to the pandemic or who played in an upstart league. Anybody and everybody with a modicum of talent is being explored. According to Crissy Froyd of The Draft Network, they’ve developed an interest in Davis, having spent the past two seasons at Illinois State.
Several NFL teams have expressed interest in former Illinois State QB Brady Davis, per source.
Those teams include the Chargers, Cowboys, Colts, Browns, Bears and Panthers.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) April 7, 2021
Davis is an interesting story.
His college career began at Memphis but was derailed by a torn ACL. Realizing his chance to play wasn’t coming, he decided to transfer to ISU. In his first season as a starter, he threw for 1,935 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 10 games. A good start. The next season proved more difficult. He managed just nine touchdowns and nine interceptions before suffering another torn ACL in the season finale.
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Like many, he’d been hoping to return for a final year in 2020 to give his draft stock a proper push. Then the pandemic hit. The FCS canceled the season and players were left with nothing to do but wonder about their futures. By the look of things, Davis did enough to garner some interest from NFL teams. Most likely as an undrafted free agent later this month. So is he worth the attention?
Brady Davis has raw talent but a number of questions
Physically speaking, there are things to like. He stands around 6’3 or 6’4, which is the optimal height for an NFL quarterback. His arm isn’t a cannon but he seems able to put enough zip on it to make most of the throws in the playbook. When he is given a clean look he can deliver some absolute strikes and isn’t afraid to stand in there and take the hit. Mobility isn’t too bad. He’s not a born scrambler but he can escape pressure and make some throws on the move.
When it comes to operating from the pocket and seeing the field? He’s not overly good. He takes a little too long to move from his primary target when it isn’t there and doesn’t always throw with timing or anticipation. His ball placement is also erratic. One play he’ll hit the receiver in stride and the next put one way behind him. Fundamental consistency in his upper and lower body is a concern. To say nothing of his injury history.
His talent is draftable. His development is not.
It’s possible the Bears are hoping Brady Davis will hold a tryout with him to receive a training camp invitation. There he’ll compete for a chance to make the practice squad. After that, everything depends on how far he can elevate his game with professional coaching. It isn’t hard to see why the team is interested. There are some things Davis can do that you can’t teach.