Tag: Bears draft prospects

Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. had pre-draft meeting with Bears

The Bears are in need of a new starting safety, and they recently had a pre-draft meeting with Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

The Chicago Bears have two vacant starting spots in the defensive backfield, making safety and cornerback important offseason needs.

Ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bears are doing their due diligence on defensive backs following the departures of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and cornerback Prince Amukamara.

Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. appears to have caught their eye, as he recently held a pre-draft meeting over FaceTime with several teams including the Bears, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

The Bears recently re-signed safety Deon Bush and added safety Jordan Lucas in free agency. Both are expected to compete with the starting spot opposite Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson.

But it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bears chose to target a young safety in the NFL Draft, like Winfield Jr. He’s one of the most versatile defensive backs in this draft class, capable of covering receivers and tackling running backs.

While he played mostly at the free safety spot, which many expect Jackson to return to this season, Winfield Jr. has experience playing multiple positions.

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What position should Bears address in NFL Draft, not free agency?

While quarterback and tight end have dominated the offseason conversation, the Bears need plenty of work on the offensive line.

The Bears have several issues to address this offseason, especially on offense following an abysmal outing in 2019. While quarterback and tight end have dominated the conversation, Chicago needs some work on the offensive line.

While the Bears are ultimately stuck with what they’ve got at tackle for next season in Charles Leno and Bobby Massie, who collectively account for $18.6 million in salary cap space in 2020, they do have a vacant right guard position that needs to be addressed.

Given Chicago’s salary cap situation, Bleacher Report believes the Bears should steer clear of addressing offensive guard in free agency and look to the NFL Draft for a young prospect.

There’s plenty of talk circulating that the Bears intend to add a veteran quarterback to challenge 2017 second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. But no matter who the starting quarterback is in 2020, that signal-caller will have a much better chance of success if the team improves an offensive line that ranked 20th or worse in both run blocking and pass protection last year, according to Football Outsiders.

Adding that veteran under center will eat up most of the team’s $16.6 million in cap space, so the best chance at bettering the line will be on Day 2 in April.

While the Bears could target offensive tackle in what’s a deep draft class, that might ultimately help them nab a top-three guard such as Georgia’s Solomon Kindley or Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg with pick 43.

There was plenty of blame to go around on offense last season, but the offensive line didn’t make it any easier on a struggling Mitchell Trubisky both in run blocking and pass protection.

Given the amount of money invested in the Bears offensive line, the group simply has to be better. That, and they need to find a right guard to replace the retired Kyle Long.

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Bears among teams that attended Northern Colorado QB Jacob Knipp’s pro day

The Bears were one of 16 teams that attended Northern Colorado’s pro day to watch quarterback Jacob Knipp,

The Chicago Bears are exploring all avenues at the quarterback position, from in-house with Mitchell Trubisky to free agency to the NFL Draft.

Chicago was one of 16 teams that attended Northern Colorado’s pro day to watch quarterback Jacob Knipp, according to The Draft Network’s Jordan Reid.

Reid had this to say about Knipp: “From the cerebral mind to his natural leadership skills and his uncanny feel for the position, everyone has already recognized the potential that he possesses.”

One of the knocks on Knipp is his injury history. He hasn’t finished a season since his magical freshman year. In his six-year collegiate career, Knipp has suffered repeated injuries to his left, non-throwing shoulder that has prevented him from really living up to his potential.

But clearly he’s someone that the Bears are interested in, which makes sense given his potential and the fact that they’re in the market for a quarterback.

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Ohio State OL Jonah Jackson dubbed perfect fit for Bears in 2020 NFL Draft

The Bears have no shortage of needs heading into the NFL Draft. But which prospect would be the best fit for Chicago?

Following a disappointing season on offense, the Bears have several positions they need to address this offseason. Free agency begins in less than two weeks, but they’ll also have the NFL Draft to find some young talent to contribute.

The Bears are expected to target a number of positions of need in the draft, including tight end, offensive line, quarterback, edge rusher and defensive back.

But which prospect is the best fit for Chicago? Pro Football Focus believes that’s Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson.

Thanks to the Khalil Mack trade, the Bears are once again without a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, but they do have two second-round selections. Jackson makes sense as one of those picks to fill in at right guard, which was a spot manned by Rashaad Coward and his 51.7 overall grade last season. The offensive line as a whole was one of the bigger disappointments of the Bears’ season, as they ended the year ranked 25th in PFF’s final offensive line rankings. Adding Jackson in the second round would be a step in the right direction for that unit.

Jackson was PFF’s No. 2 interior offensive lineman and their 38th-ranked player overall. More than that, it’s his versatility that makes him a valuable commodity.

He’s performed well at both right guard (2018) and left guard (2019).  Jackson is also one of the better pass blockers, as he’s put up a pass-protection grade of 84.4 since 2018.

When it comes to Chicago’s offensive line, they’re essentially locked up for next season, minus a vacant right guard spot. Rashaad Coward, who filled in for the injured Kyle Long last season, or Alex Bars could fill that role. But the Bears could also find their guy in the draft.

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New mock draft has Bears adding safety, tight end in 2nd round

In a new mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, the Bears address needs on defense and offense with their two second round picks.

The Bears have several positions they need to address this offseason, and the NFL Draft would be a good place to land some young talent at two important positions.

Chicago is once again without a first-round pick (which was sent to the Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade.) But they do have a pair of second round selections in the top-150, and general manager Ryan Pace needs to make them count.

In The Athletic‘s newest three-round mock draft, Dane Brugler has the Bears addressing needs on defense and offense with their two second round picks.

With the 43rd overall pick, Brugler has Chicago taking Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger. With Ha Ha Clinton-Dix likely lost to free agency, the Bears need to find a safety to line up opposite Eddie Jackson, which certainly adds defensive back near the top of Chicago’s offseason needs.

Then, with the 50th selection, Brugler has the Bears drafting Notre Dame tight Cole Kmet. Kmet is widely considered the best tight end in the draft, and Chicago will likely have their pick of tight ends in the second round should Pace choose to take one that early.

The Bears currently have seven draft picks, and they’re projected to add a fourth-round compensatory selection to the list. With no shortage of needs on this roster — from offensive line to edge rusher to tight end to defensive back — the Bears should be able to add some effective pieces to this roster.

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Bears target TE, QB in 2nd round of Matt Miller’s new mock draft

In Matt Miller’s newest three-round mock draft, he has the Bears addressing offense with both of their second-round selections.

The Chicago Bears have some roster holes they’ll need to address this offseason, particularly on offense, and they might find the answer to those needs in the 2020 NFL Draft

Chicago holds the 43rd and 50th picks in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, as they got the Raiders’ second-round pick (No. 43) in the Khalil Mack trade.

In Matt Miller’s newest three-round mock draft, he has the Bears addressing offense with both of their second-round selections.

With the 43rd pick, Miller has the Bears selecting Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet. Widely considered the best prospect at his position, Kmet is someone the Bears should definitely keep their eyes on. Kmet had 43 receptions for 515 yards and six touchdowns, but he projects to be better in the pros. Kmet can be a weapon in the passing game and in-line as a blocker for a team desperate for production at the tight end position.

With the 50th pick, Miller has Chicago taking Oklahoma quarterback Jalen 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 also struggled with. Hurts certainly helped his draft stock following a solid performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, but will the Bears use a second-round pick on him?

The Bears are projected to have eight draft selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, which includes a projected fourth-round compensatory pick for safety Adrian Amos.

Chicago has two picks in the Top-50 in the second round, as well as their own selections in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. They also have an additional fifth round selection from the Raiders, which came as part of the Mack trade. The Bears will also have a fifth or sixth-rounder from the Eagles in exchange for running back Jordan Howard.

NFL Combine: Bears have met with WRs Van Jefferson, Gabriel Davis

While receiver doesn’t rank high on the list of priorities for the Bears this offseason, they’d do well to target a receiver in the draft.

While receiver doesn’t rank high on the list of priorities for the Bears this offseason, they’d do well to target a receiver in the NFL Draft.

With the departure of Taylor Gabriel, who was one of the first cap-casualties of the offseason, the Bears should look to the draft to bring in a speedy young talent.

There are no shortage of explosive playmakers in this receivers class, and luckily for Chicago, it’s a good year to need a pass catcher.

The Bears have met with Florida receiver Van Jefferson and UCF receiver Gabriel Davis at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, according to Zack Pearson.

Davis excels at route running and ball skills, and he’s a speedy receiver that would help the Bears. Davis ran a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash during Thursday’s workout. He also had a 35-inch vertical jump and 124-inch broad jump.

Unfortunately for Jefferson, he wasn’t able to showcase his skills. He’ll be sidelined for the next few weeks after being diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his right foot by doctors at the NFL Combine, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Jefferson will undergo surgery next week, which is expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks. Obviously, that means Jefferson won’t be able to participate in the Scouting Combine or Florida’s Pro Day, which usually happens in late March. Jefferson really raised his draft stock at the Senior Bowl, but he didn’t have a chance to further that.

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Bears have met with TE Brycen Hopkins at NFL Scouting Combine

The Bears will be targeting a TE in the NFL Draft, and Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins is one prospect that has been linked to Chicago.

General manager Ryan Pace has made it clear that tight end is a priority for the Bears this offseason, especially given the significance of the position in Matt Nagy’s offense.

Pace wasted no time bringing in veteran tight end Demetrius Harris last week, someone who has experience in Nagy’s offense. But the Bears aren’t done examining the tight end position this offseason. Pace said that they’ll continue to target tight ends in free agency and the NFL Draft.

One of those young prospects that has been linked to the Bears is Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins, who some have pegged as the best tight end on the board.

Hopkins told the media that he’s met with the Bears, among 28 other teams, at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Hopkins would be a perfect fit in Nagy’s offense, and his skillset projects him to operate as a “move” or “U” tight end. He’s a strong route runner and also brings explosiveness to the position.

In his senior season, Hopkins had 830 yards and six touchdowns for Purdue, which is the kind of production the Bears are seeking from the position after an abysmal outing by their tight ends in 2019.

There’s no doubt that Hopkins is on Chicago’s radar. We’ll just have to wait and see if he lands with the Bears.

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Bears target guard, safety in NFL.com’s new mock draft

Chad Reuter has the Bears addressing two holes on the offensive and defensive side of the ball in the second round in his new mock draft.

The Bears have some roster holes they’ll need to address this offseason, and they might find the answer to those vacancies in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Chicago holds the 43rd and 50th picks in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, as they got the Raiders’ second-round pick (No. 43) in the Khalil Mack trade.

In NFL.com’s new three-round mock draft, Chad Reuter has the Bears addressing two vacancies on the offensive and defensive side of the ball in the second round.

With the 43rd pick, Reuter has the Bears selecting LSU guard Damien Lewis. The Bears currently have an opening at right guard, and Lewis would be a great fit. Lewis started 28 straight games at right guard for the Tigers. He’s a physical force up front and does well under pressure.

With the 50th pick, Reuter has Chicago drafting Lenoir-Rhyne safety Kyle Dugger. Considering the Bears are likely to lose Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to free agency, bringing in a young prospect to line-up opposite ballhawk Eddie Jackson makes sense.

While Dugger hails from a small school, he had arguably the best week at the Senior Bowl, which elevated his draft stock to Top-50. Many analysts believe Dugger is an elite athlete that projects as a developmental project at strong safety and solid special teamer.

The Bears currently have seven draft picks in 2020, with a projected fourth-round compensatory selection for Adrian Amos expected to bring their total to eight.

Chicago has two picks in the Top-50 in the second round, as well as their own selections in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. They also have an additional fifth round selection from the Raiders, which came as part of the Mack trade. The Bears will also have a fifth or sixth-rounder from the Eagles in exchange for running back Jordan Howard.

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What position groups will Bears be focused on at NFL Scouting Combine?

Heading into the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, the Bears will be focused on tight ends, defensive backs, speed receiver and linebackers.

The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week, and Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy and the Bears will descend upon Indianapolis to get a better look at some of the prospects entering the 2020 NFL Draft.

Chicago isn’t without its needs, with the most focus coming on the offense. From quarterback to tight end to offensive line, there’s a lot of work the Bears need to do on offense. The defense is also not without its concerns, as the Bears need to address edge rusher and the defensive backfield.

Heading into the NFL Scouting Combine, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network says the Bears will be focusing on tight ends, speed receivers, defensive backs and linebackers.

They will be looking hard at the tight ends and speed receivers. The Bears will also closely monitor the defensive backs. I would suspect linebackers will be focused on as well as they may lose some veterans to free agency.

Chicago’s tight end issues are no secret. They’re looking for dependable tight ends following a season where Bears tight ends combined for 46 receptions for 416 yards and two touchdowns in 2019.

The Bears will also be looking for a speed receiver to replace Taylor Gabriel, who was released on Friday. With Nick Kwiatkoski, Danny Trevathan and Kevin Pierre-Louis all set to become free agents, the Bears will lose some of them and will need to address the inside linebacker position.

While quarterback and edge rusher aren’t among those position groups mentioned by Pauline, you figure Chicago will also be interested in both considering their current circumstances.

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