Right now, the Chicago Bears team brass is business on the scouting trail. College programs across the country are holding their pro days for top prospects heading into the NFL. Bears GM Ryan Poles has popped up at Oklahoma, Miami, and Alabama. His top subordinates, along with members of the coaching staff, have surfaced across the country. They are putting in extra homework to prepare for the draft on April 23rd. One final step in that process will be the team’s local pro day around mid-April.
For those who don’t know, every NFL team holds an invitation-only pro day where they can bring in prospects who played high school or college football near the team’s facility. In the Bears’ case, we’re talking about the entire northeastern section of Illinois, including the city and its surrounding suburbs. Normally, these events aren’t much to write home about. Almost every player who participates in them will be an undrafted free agent. However, some years see an unusual collection of draft-capable talent. Such is the case this year with two notable names set to attend the Bears’ event.
| Player | Position | School | Projected Draft Range | Scouting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Coleman Jr. | WR | Missouri | Round 3–5 | Rising slot specialist with elite separation (94th percentile) and special teams value. |
| Jimmy Rolder | LB | Michigan | Round 6–7 | Chicago native and All-Big Ten second-team selection; viewed as a physical “downhill thumper”. |
The Chicago Bears are right to have interest in both players.
Coleman is a well-traveled wide receiver who played for three different colleges over the past three years. After leading Mississippi State with 932 yards in 2024, Coleman transferred to Missouri, where he led the team with 732 yards. In both instances, he was the leading target by a wide margin. Draft experts see a quicker-than-fast receiver with naturally good hands and the toughness to make catches in traffic. At 5’10”, 179 lbs, he is undersized for the NFL, but his ability to play in the slot offers immediate appeal. It doesn’t hurt that he also has experience as a punt returner. His strong Senior Bowl helped his draft stock considerably.
Rolder is more of a late-bloomer. He didn’t play much at Michigan until last year. However, when he got his opportunity, he made the most of it. Rolder had 73 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, two sacks, and an interception. People were surprised by his level of instincts and technique, given his experience. He’s a good athlete too, covering ground quickly to make tackles. The primary concern is his lack of coverage skills, which isn’t surprising at this stage.
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The local pro day might not be a premium event, but it has served a good purpose in the past. It helped the Bears eventually sign Jack Sanborn a few years ago, who has become a quality linebacker. Cameron Meredith was an emerging wide receiver for the team in the late 2010s before a disastrous knee injury derailed his career. Nobody can say the event is pointless. With a little luck, it can lead to some good players landing on the roster. This year feels like a big opportunity.
