3. Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
The Bears have done their homework on Winfield in this pre-draft process — even meeting with the Minnesota safety — and if Winfield is still on the board when No. 43 rolls around, it would be an absolute steal for Chicago. Winfield in an instinctive defensive back with the playmaking ability to match. While he played mostly at the free safety spot during his collegiate career, which Eddie Jackson is expected to return to this season, Winfield has experience playing multiple positions.
According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, “Winfield isn’t as tall or as long as teams like and he’s an average athlete, but he’s an interchangeable safety who can flat out play. Winfield is stout and strong with above average body control and balance. He can bang on tight ends in coverage and support the run near the box. His angles to the ball are efficient against the run or pass. He’s very instinctive and sees plays unfold, but doesn’t have ballhawking twitch to challenge a high number of throws. His tackle net isn’t as wide in the open field, so he must tackle with excellent fundamentals. Winfield isn’t a star but he’s a quality building block with the toughness and intelligence to help fortify the back end.”