The #Bears “Critical Factors” for WR scream Jayden Reed (Michigan State WR) if they take a WR late:

– Great footwork
– Arsenal of releases at the line
– Contested catch ability that defies his size

Can play outside & inside, versatile. Tough blocker. I love this guy. on! pic.twitter.com/weVyfU6zu3

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) April 12, 2023

All options (pick at nine, trade back) and all positions are on the table for Ryan Poles in a few weeks. Schmitz has been an invaluable Twitter resource for looking at how this crop of prospects fit the Bears.

Robinson is not only one of my favorite players in this draft. I think he is the best player in the draft, and two people I know in the league agree with that assessment. And I think he’s going to make an immediate, star-level impact for the team that drafts him.

From Lance Zierlein at NFL.com: 

Overview

Full-menu back blending a smorgasbord of position-specific traits that allow him to affect games. Robinson is well-built with a compact lower half and pairs a low center of gravity with agile feet. There are elements of both fight and flight in his running style, but defenders can never be quite sure what they are going to get. He’s a capable inside/outside runner with unique footwork to stack moves and reset pathways, but can plow into tacklers at a moment’s notice using elite contact balance to keep the run rolling. He might need to dial back efforts to search out big runs so frequently and take what is there a little more often to keep from getting bogged down. His pass-catching talent ensures the opportunity for Robinson to see a high number of touches. He has a chance to become one of the more productive runners in the league very quickly.

Strengths

• Three-down back with exceptional talent in all phases.
• Owns a variety of footwork tools to alter pace, direction and power.
• Feet are fast and fully connected with his vision for optimal results.
• Resets run track with sudden jump-cuts against penetration.
• Runs low to the ground and possesses rare contact balance.
• Ability to stack moves adds a level of unpredictability to his carries.
• Pinballs off of angle strikes and can rip through leg tackles.
• Pairs instant burst with solid top-end speed.
• Finishes runs with authority.
• Soft hands and a nightmare to deal with on wheel routes.

And I’m not including Zierlein’s weaknesses, because I don’t agree with them. Kid is going to be a star.

Calijah Kancey’s foot frequency is insane — watch here as he takes 4 steps before either of the EDGEs have completed 2. This lets him skate across the A gap and win the B.

He does a great job of denying clean contact against him. Exactly what you want to see from a shorter guy. pic.twitter.com/VywuFhYTGZ

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) April 6, 2023

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The Bears are fine with Cody Whitehair playing center in 2023, but that doesn’t mean they are not focused on the future of the position. Here are the top five at the position, per NFLDraftBuzz.

I’ve come to really like Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan.

He’s got similar charm to 2022 OT Abraham Lucas (now starting for Seattle) in that he’s an elite mover while still showing enough power to anchor vs bull rush & displace in the run.

He needs polish, but the tools are obvious. pic.twitter.com/9Q0RKuNQIA

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) April 3, 2023

Stetson Bennett is a gamer, and he strikes me as the kind of talent/personality that could have a fifteen-year career in the NFL as a backup. His running ability, and feel for the big moment, make him the kind of player a team with a running quarterback should target at the end of this draft. They won’t regret it.

From Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:

Overview

Bennett will turn 26 years old during his rookie season and he’s small in stature relative to today’s game. Those two things will work against him, but his history of elevating his play in spotlight games against the best competition should be a factor for some teams. He doesn’t have a plus arm and his accuracy and placement can vary from drive to drive, but he throws with anticipation and has shown an ability to get through progressions as a pro-style passer. He’s rarely sacked and has the mobility to do damage outside of the pocket. Bennett has backup potential for a timing-based passing attack that includes concepts often seen in the Shanahan offense.

Strengths

• Confidence and focus appear to elevate in the biggest games.
• Posted 308.8 passing yards per game with a completion rate of 67.7 percent and TD-INT ratio of 19:3 while going 5-1 over last six postseason games.
• Able to scan progressions across the entire field.
• Moves his feet with his eyes for throw readiness.
• No trouble coming off of primary read if it isn’t there.
• Pump fakes to freeze cornerback on high/low concepts.
• Makes throws with excellent anticipation from the pocket.
• Sacked just 24 times over the past two seasons, per PFF.

Weaknesses

• Very small and slight for the position by NFL standards.
• Game to game consistency has been an issue at times.
• Needs to navigate the pocket for cleaner launch points.
• Lacks drive velocity to fit throws into a tight window.
• Will fall off of some throws unnecessarily.
• Release timing for play-action and rollouts is uneven.
• Runs targets into collisions on zone throws between hashes.
• Struggles with placement, touch and distance on many deep throws.

Normally I save my “favorite players” for a single column draft week. But over the next month I’m going to roll them out slowly.

There are good receivers in this draft, even if those receivers don’t profile as starts. JSN is a star.

From Lance Zierlein at NFL.com:

Overview

Smith-Njigba is a possession slot receiver who lacks the shake to separate underneath and the speed to run past defenses. He’s tough in the middle of the defense and has proven he can make catches in congestion. Smith-Njigba will need to fine-tune his route running to give himself his best chance to succeed at the next level. It is impossible to ignore his monster finish to the 2021 season, and he has starting slot potential, but the speed concerns coupled with an injury-plagued 2022 season threaten to negatively impact his draft stock.

Strengths

• Averaged 192 receiving yards per game in last five contests of 2021 season.
• Plays tough in the teeth of the defense as a zone-beater.
• Elevates his catch focus when contested.
• Leverages his intermediate break points.
• Softens and extends his hands to meet the throw.
• Tracks deep throws with poise and accuracy.
• Athletic and smooth catching on the move.
• Plays to his top speed throughout the route.

Weaknesses

• Vast majority of his production came in one season.
• Rolls into his breaks with top-heavy momentum.
• Lacks suddenness for separation in and out of breaks.
• Below average top-end speed to win vertically.
• Likely to be viewed as a slot-only option.
• Lacks burst to elude after the catch.

Are the Bears Interested?

Yes.

Last year, it made sense. Maybe even more than making sense, it was the prudent decision. Ryan Poles took over the Chicago Bears in 2022, traded Khalil Mack, and signed for the status of worst team in the division. He understood how far the roster he inherited was from competing with the league’s best, and more importantly, he acknowledged how long it might take to achieve that all-important status.

He also understood the three other teams in the NFC North believed they were capable of playing postseason football last season. The Packers sold out to a quarterback they no longer wanted. The Vikings had an expensive, if overrated, roster. The Lions, fresh off a starring turn on Home Box Office, were the preseason media darling. He couldn’t come right out and say, “We’re going to let them run their race and do our own thing,” but that’s exactly what was communicated inside the Halls of Halas. The Bears needed to lose in 2022. And lose a lot. Hang the banner. Mission accomplished.

A year later, circumstances are quite different.

The Packers won’t have Rodgers anymore. Or at least, we don’t think they will. That makes them a complete mystery. The Vikings were the softest 13-win team in league history; fully exposed in January when they decided to lay down at home and make Daniel Jones exceedingly rich. (Has Jones sent a thank you note to Ed Donatell yet? If he does, he should put ten grand in the envelope.) And the Lions…well, they’re the Lions. That city and those fans deserve a winner but until we see it on the field, how can we be confident the team will deliver them such a thing?

The NFC North can be won by ANY of its four teams and the odds reflect that. The Lions are +140. Vikings are +250. Bears +350. Packers +500. That’s Vegas throwing up a big old shrug emoji and saying, “Check back in with us October 1st.”

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It is very simple.

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What I like about Lance Zierlein’s pre-draft work at NFL.com is the breadth of it. He writes detailed assessments of hundreds of prospects, and those assessments become essential sources for football writers over the next month. While I remain unconvinced the Bears will succumb to need and select an OT with the ninth pick in the draft, Zierlein’s analysis makes it clear there will be very good options available should they go that route.

Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

• Sets out with explosive kick-slide into his diagonal sets.
• Uses proactive hands to attack first.
• Excellent footwork and hand usage to counter and collect twists.
• Arches back and unlocks hips to access his rush anchor.
• Comes off the snap with low pads and explosive lift into contact.
• Races out of stance and into position for reach-block success.
• Base stays wide and balanced throughout the rep.
• Clear understanding of positioning and angles at the point of attack.
• Textbook leg drive on double teams and kick-out blocks.
• Washes down run defenders looking to shoot gaps.

Weaknesses

• Throws punch a tick late and from outside angles.
• Needs to alter his pass sets and hand attacks to become less predictable.
• Beaten by long-arm rush moves and driven into the pocket.
• Average adjustments to second-level movements.
• Can be beaten by side-stepping defender at point of attack.

Broderick Jones, Georgia

Comp: Andrew Thomas

Overview

Ultra-athletic tackle prospect with the size, length and potential to develop into a plus starter on the left side. Jones’ frame and technique both are in the developmental phase. His entry into block fits can be a little disjointed. He needs to improve his punch accuracy and timing to make the most of his length in pass protection. Jones is very talented at working into space and landing a block to help spring the running game. He has the nimble feet to mirror or recover against the rush. Jones isn’t a finished product, but the physical and athletic gifts allow for a projection as a good, long-time starter.

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