Draft Network’s Mock Draft: Bears target edge rusher, tight end in 2nd round

The Draft Network released a two-round mock draft, where he had the Bears addressing EDGE and TE with their two second-round selections.

With the NFL offseason in full swing, attention has shifted to free agency and the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft, where teams like the Bears will be looking to plug some needs on their roster.

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.

The Draft Network’s Jordan Reid released a two-round mock draft, where he had the Bears addressing the pass rush and tight end with their two second-round selections.

With the 43rd pick, Reid has the Bears selecting Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos. Gross-Matos has a penchant for getting after the football and making plays, even in pursuit. In 2019, Gross-Matos had 40 total tackles and 9.5 sacks.

Then, with the 50th selection, Reid has Chicago addressing their need at tight end with Washington ‘s Hunter Bryant. Bryant excelled in his role as the “move” tight end, which made him a matchup problem for opposing defenses. Bryant would figure to serve a similar role in Matt Nagy’s “U” tight end role, as the Bears are looking for production from that position. In 2019, Bryant had 52 receptions for 825 yards and three touchdowns.

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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5 positional groups Bears should watch closely at NFL Scouting Combine

The Bears are looking to address several needs in the NFL Draft, and there are no shortage of positions that they should be monitoring.

We’re just a couple weeks away from the next phase of the pre-NFL Draft process: The NFL Scouting Combine. The Scouting Combine will feature 337 prospects that are looking to improve their draft stock under the watchful eyes of general managers, coaches and scouts.

With the Bears looking to address several needs on offense and defense, there are no shortage of positions that they should be monitoring. But there are some that will require more attention than others.

Here are five positional groups the Bears should pay close attention to at the NFL Scouting Combine:

1. Tight ends

Tight end is arguably the most important area of need this offseason, especially for an offense that relies heavily on tight end production. Following a season where Bears tight ends combined for 46 receptions for 416 yards and one touchdown in 2019, Chicago needs to find a way to reverse their misfortunes at the position.

The Bears are likely to address tight end both in free agency and the NFL Draft, where there will be no shortage of viable options sitting there in the second round for Chicago. The Bears should have their pick at tight end, and they might be the first team to select a tight end in the NFL Draft.

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NFL.com mock draft: Bears target offense, defense with 2nd round picks

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter released a three-round mock draft, where he had the Bears addressing the offensive line and linebacker in 2nd round.

With the NFL offseason in full swing, attention has shifted to free agency and the upcoming 020 NFL Draft, where teams like the Bears will be looking to plug some needs on their roster.

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.

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter released a three-round mock draft, where he had the Bears addressing the offensive line and linebacker with their two second-round selections.

With the 43rd pick, Reuter has the Bears selecting LSU offensive guard Damien Lewis, who has been regarded as a top-150 prospect, boosted his draft stock following the Senior Bowl. With the Bears looking to fill their right guard vacancy with Kyle Long’s retirement, Lewis could be a potential plug-and-play guard.

Then, with the 50th selection, Reuter has Chicago picking Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who’s highly active and a tackling machine. With three inside linebackers pending free agents — and Danny Trevathan or Nick Kwiatkoski likely to be re-signed — the Bears need depth at linebacker opposite Roquan Smith.

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Bears target offense, secondary in Matt Miller’s 7-round mock draft

The Bears have plenty of needs to address this offseason, and they could certainly find some answers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Matt Miller released his first seven-round mock draft, which featured some intriguing prospects for the Bears’ 2020 draft class.

Everything from quarterback to tight end to defensive back to offensive line was addressed, as the Bears need some fixes if they’re to have any hope at playoff contention in 2020.

Let’s break down Miller’s first seven-round mock draft featuring eight Bears selections:

2nd Round, No. 43: TE Brycen Hopkins, Purdue

The Bears are certainly in need of a tight end that can bring production to the passing game. There are no shortage of tight end prospects that have been linked to the Bears, including Vandy’s Jared Pinkney and Dayton’s Adam Trautman. But another top tight end prospect that the Bears have already met with is Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins, who some argue is the best tight end in the NFL Draft.

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.

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3 underrated draft prospects Bears should keep an eye on

Heading into the NFL Draft, the Bears can find some underrated gems that could help them address areas of need, including TE, EDGE and CB.

The Bears are coming off a disappointing 2019 season, where some glaring needs were made obvious by the team’s struggles. While most of those concerns are on offense, there are some areas of need on defense, as well.

Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bears can find some underrated gems that could help them address areas of need, including tight end, edge rusher and cornerback.

Here are three underrated prospects that the Bears should keep an eye on:

1. TE Harrison Bryant, FAU

The Bears are looking to upgrade the tight end position, whether that’s through free agency and/or the NFL Draft. The Bears could likely get their pick of tight ends in the NFL Draft, as some have them pegged as potentially the first team to take a tight end. But if top options like Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet or Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins aren’t available, FAU’s Harrison Bryant would be a great fit for the Bears.

“He can be George Kittle 2.0,” a scout told ESPN. “He can get that status. You can spread him out. He’s good at route running, pass catching and blocking. Put him in the right situation and he can be explosive. He’s really polished. He’s athletic, runs good routes, can catch over the middle of the field. He’s a better blocker than anticipated.”

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Senior Bowl: Bears showing strong interest in Dayton TE Adam Trautman

The Bears have been doing their homework on tight ends at the Senior Bowl this week. But one name has definitely caught the Bears’ eye.

The Chicago Bears are in the market for help at the tight end position, and they could certainly find some help through the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Bears have been doing their homework on tight ends at the Senior Bowl this week. But one name that the Bears have shown a strong early interest in is Dayton tight end Adam Trautman, according to NFL.com’s Chase Goodbread.

“They’re interested in me,” Trautman said. “They tell me they like what they see.”

Trautman had a career season in 2019 with 70 receptions, 916 yards and 14 touchdowns with the Dayton Flyers.

The Bears also met with Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins and Vanderbilt’s Jared Pinkney earlier this week.

Tight end was one of the most glaring failures for the Bears last year, and this offseason will be about ensuring that a repeat performance doesn’t happen in 2020.

Given the importance of the tight end in Nagy’s offense, finding a way to get production out of the position will be of utmost importance. Perhaps one of the answers to the tight end concern is currently in Mobile.

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Utah State QB Jordan Love impresses at Senior Bowl

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.

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2020 Senior Bowl: 7 prospects to watch on defense

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

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.

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Bears scouts met with App State LB Akeem Davis-Gaither at Senior Bowl

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.

With Senior Bowl week in full swing, the Bears have been meeting with prospects from across the country. The Bears met with two of the top tight end prospects in this draft class in Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins and Vanderbilt’s Jared Pinkney.

Chicago also met with Appalachian State outside linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither on Tuesday, according to NBC Sports Chicago’s Bryan Perez.

#Bears scouts meeting with Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, App State. LB is a need this offseason, depending on what happens with Trevathan and Kwiatkoski.

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) January 21, 2020

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.

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Which prospects have Bears met with at East-West Shrine Bowl?

The Bears have met with six prospects during East-West Shrine week, including two safeties, two receivers, a linebacker and a quarterback.

The offseason is in full swing with free agency and the NFL Draft on the horizon. The college All-Star games are about to kick off starting with Saturday’s East-West Shrine Bowl.

The Bears have met with six prospects during practice this week, according to Walter Football, including two safeties, two receivers, a linebacker and a quarterback.

Chicago was among a handful of teams that met with FIU quarterback James Morgan, who figures to be an intriguing developmental prospect for the Bears. He’s got an impressive arm with good size and mobility.

The Bears also met with a pair of speedy receivers in Virginia’s Joe Reed and Ohio State’s Binjimen Victor. Reed has excelled as a kick returner, but he’s established himself as a complete receiver. Victor is a big target at 6’4 and a playmaker in the red zone, which the Bears could certainly benefit from.

While offense figures to be a focus, defense has some needs of its own, including the need of depth in the secondary. The Bears met with two safeties in Auburn’s Jeremiah Dinson and SMU’s Rodney Clemons. Dinson is perhaps the most versatile player in Auburn’s defensive backfield, and Clemons is one of the more underrated players at his position.

Chicago also met with Miami linebacker Michael Pinckney, who has good size and speed to play linebacker. While at Miami, Pinckney played on the edge, and he projects to do the same at the pro level.

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