5 CB prospects Bears should watch at NFL Scouting Combine

The Bears have a hole at cornerback following the release of Prince Amukamara, which figures to be a top priority heading into the draft.

The Bears have a hole at the cornerback position following the release of Prince Amukamara, who was one of the team’s first cap-casualties of the offseason.

Chicago has already signed CFL free agent Tre Roberson, who will be given a shot to win the starting job opposite Kyle Fuller. The Bears also have Kevin Toliver on the roster, who figures to get a shot. But the Bears will likely make cornerback a top priority during the NFL Draft.

With that said, here are five cornerback prospects the Bears should watch at the NFL Scouting Combine next week:

1. Jeff Gladney, TCU

The Bears should keep an eye on TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney, who draft stock has risen in a talented cornerback class. In 2019, Gladney had 31 total tackles, 0.5 sack, one interception and a career-best 14 pass breakups, which was tied for eighth-best in the country. Gladney is an athletic corner, a good tackler, especially on the perimeter, and puts himself in position to make a play on the ball.

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Bears shouldn’t ignore QB position in NFL Draft

While the Bears have many roster needs this offseason (TE, OL, CB, S), they cannot ignore the quarterback position in the 2020 NFL Draft.

We’re roughly two months into the Bears offseason, and the main topic of conversation has revolved around the quarterback situation. And rightfully so.

Mitchell Trubisky is entering his fourth season with Chicago, and the Bears haven’t gotten the results they were expecting. While the entire Bears offense struggled in 2019, Trubisky was a big reason why. Trubisky regressed mightily in his third season, and his future has been called into question.

While many mock drafts have had the Bears targeting other position groups of need like tight end, offensive line and defensive back, Bleacher Report warns that the Bears shouldn’t ignore the quarterback position in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Chicago Bears do not have a first-round selection because of their trade to acquire Khalil Mack. Therefore, it may be hard to land a quarterback who could challenge Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job. However, the Bears should still consider a signal-caller if the opportunity to get one presents itself.

If Chicago believes a second-round prospect such as Georgia’s Jake Fromm can upgrade the position, it has to make the pick. Sticking by Trubisky would be a big mistake.

While you figure the Bears will be interested in drafting a young quarterback, exactly which round remains to be seen. If the Bears decide to use one of their second round picks on a young signal caller, they could possibly target players like Utah State’s Jordan Love, Georgia’s Jake Fromm or Washington’s Jacob Eason.

Chicago could also wait until the later rounds to draft a developmental prospect, perhaps Washington State’s Anthony Gordon, Colorado’s Steven Montez or Florida International’s James Morgan.

It’s true that the Bears have multiple areas of need on their roster. But one of the biggest is quarterback, which means Chicago must do their due diligence in fixing the position in every way possible.

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New mock draft has Bears trading down, acquiring TE and OT in 2nd round

The Bears have offensive needs they need to address this offseason, and the 2020 NFL Draft would be the perfect place to start.

In The Draft Network‘s newest mock draft, analyst Benjamin Solak has the Bears targeting tight end and offensive line in the second round — and making a trade in the process.

The Bears sent the Jets the No. 43 pick in exchange for their No. 48 overall pick, as well as acquired an additional fifth round selection (No. 140).

Ultimately, the Bears still get their guy in Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins, who Solak has them selecting with the No. 48 overall selection.

The Bears’ trade down was a good one, as they grab a target from earlier in the round while grabbing a fifth in return. Doesn’t feel like much, but their cupboards are bare this year, and they need more weapons on offense to survive with Mitch Trubisky at QB

Chicago needs to address the hole at the tight end position, and it wouldn’t be out of the question for them to draft a tight end like Hopkins, who fits perfectly in a Matt Nagy offense, and bring in a veteran through free agency.

Like tight end, there’s plenty of work to be done on the offensive line. Solak has the Bears drafting LSU tackle Saahdiq Charles with the 50th pick.

Saahdiq Charles is one of my favorite developmental tackles that. nobody talks about. He’s not ready to step in and start in Year 1, but the Bears can keep Bobby Massie and Charles Leno installed as starters through this year and re-evaluate after Charles bulks up.

Like tight end, the offensive line was a huge area of concern for the Bears in 2019, especially in the run game. Chicago has invested a lot of money in the offensive line, but they certainly didn’t get the production they would’ve liked in 2019. While Charles Leno and Bobby Massie are locked up at tackle for 2020, bringing in a player like CHarles would be building toward the future.

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5 EDGE prospects Bears should watch at NFL Scouting Combine

While defense isn’t the overwhelming concern for the Bears this offseason, but edge rusher still needs to be addressed.

While defense isn’t the overwhelming concern for the Bears this offseason, there are still position groups that need to be addressed, among them edge rusher.

Khalil Mack remains a force, despite a statistical dropoff in 2019, but the Bears need to find an edge rusher opposite Mack to really breathe life back into the pass rush. While Leonard Floyd remains on the roster — he’s due to make $13.2 million in 2020 — can the Bears justify retaining Floyd with his lack of production?

With that said, here are five edge rusher prospects the Bears should watch at the NFL Scouting Combine next week:

1. Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State

The Bears need someone opposite Khalil Mack that can take advantage of one-on-one opportunities, and perhaps Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos is the guy for the job. Gross-Matos has a reputation for getting after the football and making plays, especially in pursuit. In the last two years at Penn State, he had 34.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks.

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Bears address tight end, linebacker in 2nd round of new mock draft

In Draft Wire’s newest 2020 NFL mock draft, Luke Easterling has Bears selecting TE Hunter Bryant and LB Malik Harrison.

The Chicago Bears have a busy offseason ahead of them, which includes addressing offensive and defensive needs both in free agency and the NFL Draft.

The Bears hold 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 Draft Wire’s newest 2020 NFL mock draft, Luke Easterling has the Bears addressing tight end and linebacker.

With the 43rd pick, Easterling has the Bears selecting Washington tight end Hunter Bryant. Bryant figures to fit into the Bears offense as a “U” tight end, where he can utilize his ability to serve as a matchup problem for defenders. But the concern with Bryant is his medical history, and the Bears certinaly don’t need a repeat of Trey Burton or Adam Shaheen.

Then with the 50th selection, Easterling has Chicago drafting Ohio State linebacker Malik Harrison. In 2019, Harrison had 75 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. The Buckeyes used him off the edge to rush the passer, and the Bears could do with more production at edge rusher on defense.

The Bears will have eight picks in this year’s draft, but only two in the top 50 and three in the top 150. Chicago’s selections include a projected fourth-round compensatory pick for safety Adrian Amos, as well as a conditional pick from the Eagles for running back Jordan Howard, which projects to be a sixth-rounder.

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5 OL prospects Bears should watch at NFL Scouting Combine

One of the glaring needs the Bears will need to address this offseason is the offensive line, where there’s work to be done for the future.

There were no shortage of concerns on the offensive side of the ball for the Bears in 2019. One of the glaring needs the Bears will need to address this offseason is the offensive line.

While they’re pretty much stuck with what they’ve got — with the exception of a vacant right guard position — in 2020, there’s plenty of work to be done in the NFL Draft in regards to building for the future.

With that said, here are five offensive line prospects the Bears should watch at the NFL Scouting Combine next week:

1. Damien Lewis, LSU

The Bears are looking to fill the vacant role at right guard, and LSU guard Damien Lewis could very well be the guy for the job. Lewis started 28 straight games at right guard for the Tigers. He’s a physical force up front and does well under pressure. Lewis had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, and his draft stock will only continue to rise with a strong outing at the NFL Combine.

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5 TE prospects Bears should watch at NFL Scouting Combine

Tight end is arguably the Bears’ biggest offseason need. Chicago is expected to address the concern both in free agency and the NFL Draft.

There were no shortage of issues on offense for the Bears in 2019, but tight end was one of the biggest struggles. Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen both underwhelmed prior to landing on injured reserve, and Chicago will be looking to strengthen the position.

Tight end is arguably the Bears’ biggest offseason need. So much so that Chicago is expected to address the concern both in free agency and the NFL Draft.

With that said, here are five tight end prospects the Bears should watch at the NFL Scouting Combine next week:

1. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue

Perhaps the best fit for Matt Nagy’s offense, Brycen Hopkins is a player the Bears have already had an eye on. Hopkins confirmed that he’d met with Bears scouts at the Senior Bowl, which makes sense given the importance of fixing the instability at tight end.

Hopkins had 830 yards and six touchdowns with Purdue in 2019, which is the kind of production the Bears are seeking from the position. He would be the perfect fit for Nagy’s “U” tight end. He’s a strong route runner and also brings explosiveness to the position.

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5 QB prospects Bears should watch at NFL Scouting Combine

The Bears are expected to target a veteran QB in free agency, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they also drafted a young QB to develop.

Easily the biggest offseason conversation surrounding the Bears has been how they’re going to handle the quarterback position.

While Mitchell Trubisky has been named the starter for the 2020 season, that’s not guaranteed beyond this season or even at the start. Which means the Bears will likely be in the market for a new quarterback.

Chicago is already expected to target a veteran signal caller in free agency, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they also drafted a young quarterback to develop.

With that in mind, here are five quarterback prospects the Bears should watch at the NFL Scouting Combine next week:

1. Jordan Love, Utah State

Utah State quarterback Jordan Love is the kind of player the Bears would love — an athletic, dual-threat quarterback with a big arm. But Chicago certainly wouldn’t be the only team in need of his services.

Love certainly regressed in his senior season, throwing for 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2019 compared to 32 touchdowns, six interceptions in 2018. But his upside is enough for the Bears to consider taking a chance on him if he’s still on the board come the second round.

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TE Cole Kmet is a ‘must watch’ prospect for Bears

The Bears could be the first team to draft a tight end in April, which means that they’ll have their pick of TE prospects in the NFL Draft.

The Bears have a plethora of needs on the offensive side of the ball. But one of the most important that has eluded them has been at the tight end position.

The Bears could very well be the first team to draft a tight end in April, which means that they’ll have their pick of prospects at the position that had snake-bitten the Bears last season.

NFL.com believes that Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet is a “must watch” prospect for a Bears team desperate for an answer at the position.

The Bears’ biggest need on offense is tight end. There are several guys who would fit well in Matt Nagy’s scheme, including Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins, but why not aim for the best TE in his class in Kmet?

Considering the importance of the tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense, the Bears offense needs to find stability at the position. Last season, Bears tight ends combined for 46 receptions, 416 yards and one touchdown in 2019.

But it was the disappointing outings by Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen — before they landed on injured reserve — that was most disconcerting. The Bears can’t rely on their health or their production, which is why it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Chicago address tight end both in free agency and the NFL Draft.

Who knows, perhaps Cole Kmet is the young tight end that will finally kickstart Nagy’s offense.

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Bears address offensive needs in PFF’s new mock draft

In PFF’s new 2-round mock draft, the Bears addressed 2 key offensive needs in quarterback and offensive line with their second-round picks.

We’re just over two months away from the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Bears will have several needs to address this offseason.

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

In Pro Football Focus’ new two-round mock draft, the Bears addressed two key offensive needs in quarterback and offensive line with their two second-round picks.

With the 43rd pick, PFF believes the Bears will find their quarterback in Washington’s Jacob Eason.

The Bears get their guy, but there’s a reason why Eason fell to the second round. Similar to Drew Lock last year, Eason has all the arm talent in the world, but that never quite translated to consistent play on the field. Eason had a passing grade below 60.0 in 4 of his 9 Pac-12 games this year.

While Eason might be a project, his upside makes him someone that would be difficult for the Bears to pass up, especially if Chicago is ready to move on from Mitchell Trubisky. The Bears are expected to bring in a veteran to compete with Trubisky in free agency, and bringing in a young player via the NFL Draft is certainly a possibility.

Then, with the 50th selection, PFF says Chicago will address the offensive line with the addition of LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry.

Cushenberry took it on the chin a bit this past season, as he allowed more pressures than any other center in the country. That looked like an outlier at the Senior Bowl, where he tied for the highest win rate of any interior offensive lineman there. With guard more of a need for the Bears, Cushenberry has the size and skills to kick out there.

The Bears need to address issues on the offensive line, and they have a need at right guard. While Cushenberry is a center, he could be that option at right guard if the Bears need him.

Barring any trades, the Bears will have eight picks in this year’s draft, but only two in the top 50 and three in the top 150. Chicago’s selections include a projected fourth-round compensatory pick for safety Adrian Amos, as well as a conditional pick from the Eagles for running back Jordan Howard, which projects to be a sixth rounder.

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