Utah State QB Jordan Love should be a name on Bears’ radar. But Love might not fall to the Bears in 2nd round if he continues to impress.
One of the quarterbacks that serves to profit most from the Senior Bowl is Utah State’s Jordan Love, who has been projected to be anywhere from a mid-first-rounder to a second-rounder in the 2020 NFL Draft.
But following his impressive start Tuesday at the Senior Bowl, you can feel his stock certainly rising.
Given the uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Bears are certainly scouting quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl as potential replacements for a struggling Mitchell Trubisky, who will enter his fourth season in 2020.
Love would certainly fit the bill for the Bears — an athletic, dual-threat quarterback with a big arm. But the Bears certainly wouldn’t be the only team in need of his services. And it might get even harder if Love continues to impress scouts this
Love fielded questions about his decision-making, which has been a big concern for him. While Love had a 32-touchdown, six-interception season as a sophomore, he followed that up with 17 interceptions in 13 games in 2019.
“You gotta push the ball downfield to make those big throws but also be smart with it,” Love said. “You don’t have to force every throw.
“I’ve learned a lot. Every interception, for me, that’s a learning moment. Obviously, I had 17 learning moments last season. It’s something you can go back and watch film on and learn from.”
Love has even drawn comparisons to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who the Bears passed on in the 2017 NFL Draft.
“He’s just out there making magic happen,” Love said. “I like the comparison. We’ve both got strong arms. He obviously makes ridiculous throws. I hope to be able to be on the same platform as him.”
While Mahomes is a once-in-a-generation talent, if Love can be even half as good as Mahomes, the Bears would be in business. Only problem is, Love’s not likely to fall to them in the middle of the second round.
The Bears have several needs they need to address this offseason. Here are 7 prospects on defense they should be watching this week.
The road to the 2020 NFL Draft starts in Mobile with the Senior Bowl, where Bears scouts will have the chance to get to know some of the top prospects in this draft class.
More than 100 of the top collegiate seniors from schools all over the country will participate in this year’s Senior Bowl, which will take place on Jan. 25.
But prior to then, practices during the week leading up to the game give front offices a chance to evaluate players on the field and meet with them off the field.
The Bears have several needs they need to address this offseason. Let’s take a look at seven prospects on defense they should be watching closely this week.
1. CB Lamar Jackson, Nebraska
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The Bears could be facing changes in the secondary this offseason, especially with cornerback Prince Amukamara a likely cap casualty. If that’s the case, the Bears will be in the market for a new starting cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller.
Maybe that cornerback is Nebraska’s Lamar Jackson, who had a breakout senior season that has shown that he could be a solid and dependable cornerback in the NFL. Jackson had 40 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 12 pass breakups in 2019.
With Senior Bowl week in full swing, the Bears have been meeting with prospects from across the country, including LB Akeem Davis-Gaither.
There are no shortage of needs for the Bears this offseason. Even though a lot of the focus is on overhauling the offense, the defense definitely needs some attention.
Davis-Gaither has impressive athleticism and speed — not to mention his stats have been staggering. In 2019, he had 104 tackles (14.5 for loss), five sacks, eight pass breakups, six quarterback hits, and an interception in 2019.
Given the Bears have three inside linebackers set to become free agents this offseason in Danny Trevathan, Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis, Chicago would do well to find potential replacements.
South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw has high expectations for himself, and he’s backing them up at the Senior Bowl
Just a few years ago, a defensive tackle dominated at the Senior Bowl, and still ended up being a steal outside the top 10 picks of the NFL draft.
Aaron Donald has made the rest of the NFL pay for not learning what they should have during that week in Mobile: That Donald would eventually become the most dominant defender in all of pro football.
This week, South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw has that kind of performance in mind.
At Tuesday’s Senior Bowl Media Day in Mobile, I asked Kinlaw if he believed he can become the kind of player Donald has been for the Los Angeles Rams. His response was emphatic:
“I think I can be better.”
South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw on whether he can be the kind of player Aaron Donald is:
Kinlaw weighed in at 6-5, 315 pounds at Tuesday morning’s weigh-ins, then dominated the first day of practice, tossing around some of the nation’s best interior blockers. He entered the week as the clear-cut top prospect here in Mobile, and he’s solidified himself in that regard.
Don’t be surprised if he leaves this week a top-10 prospect on many NFL teams’ boards.
Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling recaps the first day of practices at the 2020 Senior Bowl from Mobile, Alabama
Plenty of this week’s Senior Bowl attendees flew south for the winter, but they must have brought the weather with them, as chilly conditions filled Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile for the first day of practices.
After Tuesday morning’s weigh-ins, the afternoon practice sessions were our first chance to see both the North and South squads in action, and there were plenty of noteworthy moments, both positive and negative.
Here are the biggest things we learned from the first day of practices:
Jordan Love is challenging Justin Herbert for QB3
LSU’s Joe Burrow and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa appear to be the clear-cut top two in this year’s quarterback class, but there’s a battle brewing for the next spot, and Mobile is the venue. Oregon’s Justin Herbert looked as advertised during Tuesday’s South team practice, but Utah State’s Jordan Love looked every bit at promising.
While both passers missed a handful of throws, they also displayed the arm strength, touch and placement NFL decision-makers will want to see. Don’t be surprised if both of these guys finish the week strong, and challenge for top-10 consideration come April.
The Bears are looking to shore up the tight end position this offseason, and they have their eyes on two prospects at the Senior Bowl.
Given the pressing concern at the tight end position, the Bears are certainly doing their due diligence early at the Senior Bowl
Chicago met with at least two tight ends on Tuesday, according to NBC Sports’ Bryan Perez. The Bears met with Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney, who they talked with for over 30 minutes.
Jared Pinkney, TE, Vandy, told me he met with the #Bears for over 30 minutes. #NFLDraft
Pinkney didn’t have the senior season he would’ve liked, with just 20 catches for 233 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The previous year, he had nearly double the production and seven touchdowns. But he’s got the physical traits you look for in a tight end prospect, and he’s an accomplished pass-catcher.
The Bears also met with Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins, who could very well be the first tight end off the board in April.
#Bears are doing their homework on TEs. Brycen Hopkins just told me he, like Pinkney, has met with Chicago.
Hopkins had 830 yards and six touchdowns with Purdue this season, which is the kind of production the Bears are seeking from the position. He would be the perfect fit for Matt Nagy’s “U” tight end. He’s a strong route runner and also brings explosiveness to the position.
Given the importance of the tight end in Nagy’s offense, finding a way to get production out of the position — be it with current players on the roster or through free agency or the NFL Draft — will be of utmost importance.
If the Bears were to land either Pinkney or Hopkins, that would certainly be a start in fixing that position.
The Bears have several needs they need to address this offseason. Here are 7 prospects on offense they should be watching this week.
The road to the 2020 NFL Draft starts in Mobile, AL, with the Senior Bowl, where Bears scouts will have the chance to get to know some of the top prospects in this draft class.
More than 100 of the top collegiate seniors from schools all over the country will participate in this year’s Senior Bowl, which will take place on Jan. 25.
But prior to then, practices during the week leading up to the game give front offices a chance to evaluate players on the field and meet with them off the field.
The Bears have several needs they need to address this offseason, especially on offense. Let’s take a look at seven prospects on offense they should be watching closely this week.
1. QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Considering the uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Bears should definitely pay attention at the Senior Bowl. Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts is a dual-threat passer that can surely help his draft stock with a solid week. Hurts is likely going to fall to the second round, where the Bears happen to have two draft picks. But should they use one of their selections on Hurts?
Hurts had a career-season with 3,851 yards passing and 32 touchdowns, which led him to be a Heisman finalist. But there are questions about Hurts as a downfield passer and going through his progressions, something that current Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been known for.
Everything you need to know about this year’s Senior Bowl, the annual all-star game featuring top prospects in the 2020 NFL draft class
Every year, the crazy-train of NFL draft preparation makes its first big stop on Mobile, Alabama.
The Senior Bowl is the premier all-star showcase for some of the top prospects in college football, as big-name players and small-school sleepers alike get their chance to prove themselves against one another, all in front of the league’s most important decision-makers.
We’ve already told you why you should be there for Senior Bowl week, but here’s everything eles you need to know heading into this week’s action in Mobile:
Herbert is coming off a Pac-12 title and a Rose Bowl victory in which he won MVP honors. He could lock himself into the QB3 spot in this year’s class behind LSU’s Joe Burrow and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa with a strong performance in Mobile.
Hurts’ season ended on a sour note in a frustrating loss to top-ranked LSU, but his unique college football journey was filled with impressive highs against some of the top competition in the country. His versatile skill set and impressive intangibles are likely to impress NFL decision-makers during this all-star audition.
No matter where you connect to the NFL universe, there’s a reason for you to be in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl every year
Every January, the entire NFL world descends on Mobile, Alabama for a week to see some of the best college football players in the nation audition for the upcoming draft.
The Reese’s Senior Bowl is the first major mile marker on the crazy-train that is the NFL predraft process, and it can make or break a player’s draft stock before the train even gets rolling.
So, why should you spend the week of January 20th in Alabama’s Port City?
If you’re a fan, you have to go to the Senior Bowl because:
For 51 weeks out of the year, the NFL is an impenetrable fortress, with massive forces insulating itself from the general public.
But for that one unicorn of a week in late January, the league opens a wormhole to an alternate reality, where the who’s who of the league are packed into the hotels and streets and restaurants and dive bars alongside your everyday locals.
Actual conversation overheard at Veet’s, the post-practice watering hole of choice:
Local man, sitting at the bar: “Hey man, how’s it going?!”
Another man, sitting at the bar: “Pretty good so far. How about you?”
Local man: “Another day, another dollar, you know! My name’s Mark!
Other man: “I’m Bruce. Nice to meet you!”
Local man: “You in town for the game?”
Other man: “Yes sir, I am.”
Local man: “Who are you here with?”
Other man: “Oh, I work for the Arizona Cardinals.”
Local man: “No kidding? That’s awesome, man. What do you do for them?”
Other man: “Well, I’m the head coach.”
Local man: “NO WAY! Well, ain’t that something!”
There are many other incredible interactions I’ve experienced in Mobile over the years, and the best ones I can’t share (you won’t believe what you hear in the Waffle House on Government Street at 4am). Just trust me when I say, if you come to Senior Bowl week, it will be unforgettable.
“The Senior Bowl provides fans and draft analysts the unique opportunity to see many of the top prospects through the same eyes as an NFL scout,” says Bryan Perez of NBC Sports, a veteran of the NFL media scouting world. “The exposure to practice and player interviews helps gain a much greater appreciation for what a prospect does well. Mobile is a great host city and it’s always a blast connecting with people down there, too.”
Practices are open to the public, giving fans a chance to see some of the nation’s top players up close, and the players do the best they can to accommodate autograph seekers. I’ve seen plenty of smiling faces leaving Ladd-Peebles with a freshly signed mini-helmet and a day they’ll always remember.
“The first thing you notice at the Senior Bowl is how everyone is there,” says Jeff Risdon, editor of Browns Wire and Lions Wire. “Every NFL coach, every GM, loads of former players, all the big college coaches. Just for stargazing purposes, there is no better place for fans. And if they want to be accessible, it’s an easy place to get a picture or a signed ball–especially for kids.”
There’s also Saucy-Q’s for solid BBQ, Wintzell’s for killer seafood, and even a Ruth’s Chris if you’re feeling fancy. If you’re anything like me, that should seal the deal.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
If you’re a player, you have to go to the Senior Bowl because:
You’re a competitor, and that’s what competitors do.
They compete.
“The Senior Bowl serves as one of the pivotal stops on the path to the NFL draft each year,” says Kyle Crabbs, editor of Dolphins Wire and senior draft analyst for The Draft Network. “Seeing college prospects in a live football setting provides clarity on their coachability and allows prospects to show skills their college teams may not have asked them to use on the field – all while mixing players of different backgrounds and skill levels on the same playing field to prove themselves. If you like competition, odds are you’ll like the Senior Bowl.”
If you’re lucky enough to get an invite, the Senior Bowl can be a life-changing experience.
Just ask Eric Fisher, who entered the week a little-known prospect from a non-Power 5 school and left on his way to being the eventual No. 1 overall pick.
Ask Aaron Donald, who dominated every living thing that dared line up against him, making everyone in attendance well aware of how much of a steal he’d be at No. 13 overall.
Ask Carson Wentz, who took all the “lower-level competition” concerns and blasted them to Fargo and beyond, enticing the Philadelphia Eagles to trade the kitchen sink to move up for him at No. 2 overall.
If you’re a small-school prospect, it’s an invaluable opportunity to go up against other players from the nation’s powerhouse programs, proving you can hang with the best of the best.
If you’re a big-name prospect, it’s a chance to show NFL teams you won’t pass up any opportunity to compete.
“For players, it’s a great way to get their feet wet in terms of the differences between college and pros,” says Risdon, who is preparing to attend his 12th Senior Bowl week. “These are pro coaches and they’re not in Mobile to make you look good. It’s a jump-start on the interview process and a better idea of just what players are getting themselves into by joining the NFL.”
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If you’re a member of the media, you have to go to the Senior Bowl because:
Just as Risdon says, everyone is there.
Players, teams, reporters, editors, owners, coaches, general managers, scouts, former players, college coaches.
Looking to work your way up the football media ladder? Want to get your foot in the door somewhere? There’s no better place to strike up a conversation with someone than Senior Bowl week, because everybody you’d want to talk to is in one place. Bring your resumes and your elevator pitches, and you never know what can happen.
The first time I went to Mobile, I was representing my own draft blog. Each of the next three years, I returned to Mobile working for a bigger outlet than the year before.
Social media has allowed members of the media to connect and develop friendships across the country and the globe. That week in January is a fun and unique opportunity to remind yourself the friends you met on Twitter aren’t murderers (unlike our cab driver, ask Perez).
Every player in Mobile is trying to prove they belong at the next level. They’re there to get their name out, however they can. Senior Bowl week gives every media outlet, every reporter, every person with a recorder a chance to learn more about these players; what they bring on the field, and more importantly, who they are off the field.
There’s no better place to network, to find a guest for your podcast or radio show or live shot, to pick the brains of the best and brightest in our business, to become better at your craft, and to get to know the human beings under the helmets. Catch up with friends, make new ones, and get closer to where you want to be.
No matter where you connect to the NFL universe, there’s a place for you in Mobile.
