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

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

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.”

[lawrence-related id=436743,436747,436724,436690]

2020 Senior Bowl: 7 prospects Bears should watch on offense

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.

Alabama-Birmingham at Florida Atlantic odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UAB Blazers FAU Owls college football matchup, with college football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (9-3, 6-2 C-USA West) and Florida Atlantic Owls (9-3, 7-1 C-USA East) battle for the Conference USA Championship in Boca Raton, Fla. at 1:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the UAB-FAU odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

UAB at FAU: Three things you need to know

1. Saturday’s game is expected to be the final one for Lane Kiffin as the head coach of FAU, as he is expected to be named as Matt Luke’s replacement at Mississippi.

2. The Owls are tied for 27th in the nation with 34.1 points per game, and they have scored 34 or more points in each of the past five outings.

3. FAU went 8-4 against the spread this season, including 3-1 straight up across the past four at FAU Stadium. UAB enters on a three-game winning streak, but is just 2-3 ATS across the past five overall and 2-3 ATS in its past five road outings.


College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!


UAB at FAU: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 2:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

FAU 29, UAB 20

Moneyline (ML)

FAU (-334) is an overwhelming favorite in what is expected to be the Lane Train’s final stop in Boca Raton. Will there be a lack of focus for the Owls, or will they claim their second C-USA trophy in the past three seasons under Kiffin’s tutelage? That’s the big question. They have steamrolled their C-USA brethren all season, and UAB (+260) isn’t expected to offer much resistance.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on an outright win for FAU would return a profit of $3.

Against the Spread (ATS)

FLORIDA ATLANTIC (-8.5, -115) will look to send Kiffin away, if he in fact does accept the Ole Miss job officially, with a victory and a cover. It will be interesting to see if UAB (+8.5, -106) can slow down NFL prospect TE Harrison Bryant and QB Chris Robison in the pass game.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 49.5 (-110) might be the best option on Saturday’s early board among the championship games. While FAU has a high-powered offense, the under is 8-1 in its past nine games at home. The under is also 4-1 in UAB’s past five overall, 7-2 in the past nine as a road underdog, and 4-0-1 in the past five away from home. While the over has hit in each of the past six meetings, they haven’t played since 2014, so that trend can mostly be ignored.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1623]