When talking about the 2021 draft class, Chicago Bears fans tend to focus on a few key names. Justin Fields is the most obvious. Teven Jenkins as well. Thomas Graham and Dazz Newsome get some attention too for their social media work. If there is one man in the group of seven prospects who has been somewhat lost in the shuffle? That has to be 6th round pick Khalil Herbert.
Why is this? A couple of factors. Being drafted so late was part of it. However, Herbert also didn’t shine for too long in college. He only had one standout season at Virginia Tech before turning pro. Then there is the fact he’s a running back. He joins a position group that already has David Montgomery, a returning Tarik Cohen and Super Bowl hero Damien Williams. It is hard to remember Herbert knowing he may not see much action because of that trio.
Some people think that’s a mistake.
Brett Kollman is widely considered one of the best football film analysts on YouTube. His in-depth work on several players is must-watch stuff for their detail alone. It certainly doesn’t hurt he’s also a Bears fan. Don’t be fooled though. He doesn’t let bias impact his work. While doing some tape study this past week, he came to a realization. Herbert is good. Really good. So much in fact he compared his game to a certain Pro Bowler up north you might have heard of.
1. Khalil Herbert is a bad dude. The way he presses this inside and then bounces to the corner is very Aaron Jones-ish.
2. What a FINISH by that tight end!
3. There's no way this run should have worked, but it did. Sometimes the math is bad, but the execution makes up for it. pic.twitter.com/QbhrLZsw9y
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) June 26, 2021
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Jones too was a late round pick. The Green Bay Packers drafted him in the 5th round back in 2017. He quickly established himself as one of the best all-around backs in football. In the past three seasons, he has scored 39 touchdowns and accounted for 3,951 yards from scrimmage. To be compared to him is high praise indeed for Herbert. Kollman isn’t the only one who feels that way either. Senior Bowl director and former NFL scout Jim Nagy couldn’t believe he fell to the 6th round.
No clue how Khalil lasted til the sixth. Bears got a steal.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) June 26, 2021
Khalil Herbert may have to wait his turn
This is nothing new for him. He did that for three years at Kansas in college, never getting the nod as the starter. That is why he decided to step away from the program midseason and transfer to Virginia Tech. He wanted to play. When he got his opportunity? He posted 1,362 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. This included 138 yards and two touchdowns against favored North Carolina in a wild shootout.
Khalil Herbert has the qualities necessary for the NFL level. While not a burner in terms of speed, he’s deceptively fast for his size. What separates him from others is his vision. The kid has a natural feel for finding the holes and getting through them without losing momentum. That play shown above was a perfect example. If the planned lane isn’t there, then find another.
It’s not as easy as it looks.
One could make the case that Chicago now has one of the deepest running back positions in the NFL. Montgomery is a proven starter after posting his first 1,000-yard season last year. Cohen was one of the most versatile weapons at the position prior to his knee injury. Williams helped carry Kansas City to a championship. The fact that Herbert is their fourth option is not a bad thing at all.