Free agency is all but done. The Chicago Bears will still acquire more players in the coming weeks, but most of them will be depth moves meant to fill out roster spots in preparation for the NFL draft. GM Ryan Poles said the big moves over the past two weeks have left the door wide open to do pretty much anything they want with the 10th overall pick in April. They could go in any direction. The side effect is that nobody knows what that direction will be. Experts keep predicting different names with each mock draft.
One team insider decided to cut through the noise. Ben Devine covers the Bears on Twitter (X). Last year, he correctly predicted the team was targeting Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the 9th pick in the draft. In March.
This year, Devine worked his sources again to see if he could narrow the list to a specific name. Sure enough, it bore fruit. Based on the information he has, it is believed the Bears are prepared to select Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the 10th overall pick.
The Chicago Bears’ interest in Jeanty is hardly surprising.
For one, he’s an outstanding player. He came closer than any player in almost 40 years to breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season college rushing record. His 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns catapulted Boise State to the college football playoffs, where they sadly lost to a more complete Penn State team. He is a stud. Experts have compared him to the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Maurice Jones-Drew.
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One must not forget the Chicago Bears were 25th in rushing last season. D’Andre Swift finished under 4.0 yards per carry in 11 of his 17 games. It is hard to win when that is the case. Backup Roschon Johnson is a good short-yardage option, but neither has the capacity to be a true workhorse back. Jeanty does.
Then there is Ben Johnson. The Bears’ new head coach is a big proponent of running the football. Detroit finished top 10 in rushing attempts each of the past two seasons. There is no question he would gravitate to an instant-impact player like Jeanty. Chicago is set at wide receiver. They don’t need another tight end. The offensive line is stabilized. Giving Caleb Williams a threat in the backfield that teams must respect is the final piece to the puzzle.
That the Bears did zero work in the free agent area related to running back portends them to draft one, but this class is very deep and they may feel they can get a stud later than using a top 10 pick. I’d like to see them trade the 10th, fall back a few spots and grab the Penn St tight end because I think he is a difference maker. Ben Johnson loves trick plays, and this Warren is a trick play waiting to happen. Then you get an extra draft pick in what looks like a deep draft for… Read more »
Lots of smoke to get someone to draft Jenty so players they want will fall or they can trade down if Jenty is available at 10. Sure they could take him but it’s early and now we will have to sift thru 50 more Jenty articles.
@Dr. Melhus – If I was a betting man swift will be around next year for sure. He will probably get bulk of carries to start season then move to a more 50/50 split once the rookie RB is up to speed with the playbook and NFL speed and blocking assignments. I’m thinking he has no more guaranteed money after 25. Then a release or trade is more possible. We would maybe get a late rd pick 6-7 for him. But his value will probably go down after this season due to the influx of RBs in this class. Can’t… Read more »
I’m convinced that the Bears should grab a power back this year like Hampton, Judkins or even ABrown (4.39 speed at 220 lbs!) Next year, I want our explosive Saquon-type back in the form of Nick Singleton from Penn St with 4.35 speed, size, power and great hands. Jeanty is not a power back at about 207. He’s not a burner. He’s a good back. But certainly not worth the #10 pick overall. I believe we should use our 1st round selection on a DL or OL guy. Braxton is in his final year of rookie deal. Need a LT… Read more »
Well, I suspected last March that Rome was the Bears priority for 1.09 last year. I’ve suspected for several weeks now that Jeanty was their priority for 1.10, and with Ben J’s influence, they might even trade up (per Rich Hill chart, 1.10 + 3.72 would get them to 1.07, and 1.10 + 2.39 would get them up to 1.03, where they should take Carter if he’s available, or Graham). A trade up to 1.05 or 1.06 could be in the cards, give up one of the second round picks, and get back a 4th and a 6th, maybe. But… Read more »