The Chicago Bears will meet with plenty of top names at the scouting combine before this week is over. That is the nature of the event. However, you can always tell if a team is really interested in a player or not, depending on how fast they are to line up a meeting. Ryan Poles sure didn’t need extra time to get in a room with Caleb Williams last year. According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, the Bears GM and head coach Ben Johnson already have another name they’re eager to meet.
That is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
It shouldn’t be too surprising. Jeanty was a Heisman finalist this past season, coming close to breaking Barry Sanders’ record for most rushing yards in a single season. He’s a well-rounded talent with power, speed, burst, and vision. Many have compared him to Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. The Bears are undoubtedly intrigued by the idea of pairing him with Caleb Williams in the same backfield. It would be the first QB-RB duo of 1st rounders the Bears have had sharing a backfield since Cade McNown and Curtis Enis in 2000.
The Chicago Bears eyeing Jeanty feels like a Johnson idea.
Meeting with him doesn’t mean they intend to draft him 10th overall, but it sure feels like it’s something they’d consider. Much of that stems from the arrival of Johnson. He showed in Detroit that he is a big proponent of running the football. If he could get great results from David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, one can only imagine the daydreaming he’s doing at the thought of working with a horse like Jeanty. Much of this depends on how the Chicago Bears go about solving their offensive line problems. Finding adequate help in free agency might compel them to go best player available at #10. Jeanty would have to be in that conversation. The running back has already indicated an interest in playing for the Bears. All it takes is turning in the card.
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I can concur with that train of thought Gena, Give me a Walter Payton type player and yes well worth the trade up. I do keep in mind what you said about Bienemy, if I spelled that right. Hopefully the Bears have the spot if he slides down to and what they are willing to give up, kind of charted.
Jeanty made the opposition look like high schoolers. After last year though, does he have enough gas in the tank to last another 5 years?
Jeanty has same measurables as Tomlinson, plus he was a QB and WR with vision and football IQ.
But to say 4.45 is fast, comparable to Lions’ Gibbs is BS. Jamir runs a 4.36! That is breakaway speed.
For that reason and because we have holes on starting OL and DE, I would not take him at 10!
If one falls to us, grab either Carter or Campbell. Otherwise, trade down to get Booker, Simmons, Membou or top DL. INVEST in the trenches!!!
That’s where games are won or lost!
I have no issue with drafting Jeanty, if they get 2 new starters in FA on the OL. Ben knows what he wants and needs in an offense to be successful.
If Jeanty is even 75% of Saquon then he’d be worth the 10 pick. People don’t realize that better coaching and play calling is also going to improve the line as well.
I’m in the trust the process phase because I believe Ben and the staff will have major input in roster construction.
@Byron —
An NFL draft pick is never “wasted” if the player selected, brings:
▪︎ elite playmaking ability,
▪︎ cornerstone stability, or a
▪︎ tone-setter demeanor.
Think: Barry Sanders, Reggie White, and Dick Butkus. Jaylen Waddle, Zack Martin, and JJ Watt, Aaron Donald…
If such a player is available — the smart NFL GM selects him — and alters the path of his franchise.