The Chicago Bears, like every other NFL team each year, is allowed to hold a local pro day. This event has grown in significance since a rule change a few years ago that allowed teams to host prospects from three nearby FBS schools instead of just one. It offers the Bears an opportunity to get an extra look at players they may consider for the draft or more likely undrafted free agency.
People may scoff at this, not viewing it with near the importance of the scouting combine, the Senior Bowl, or a school pro day. That would not be entirely accurate. In 2015, a young man named Cameron Meredith made an impression at the Bears local pro day and ended up becoming one of their best receivers in 2016.
A year later they hosted Northern Illinois wide receiver Kenny Golladay who would go on to become one of the best receivers for their rival the Detroit Lions. So nobody can say this event doesn’t have value. It’s all about sifting through the debris searching for that hidden gem. The list isn’t finalized yet, but already some interesting names are appearing on the list.
This play shows how much attention Rondale Moore draws pre-snap. The OSU right outside linebacker drifts just a bit to the left during the presnap fake which allows Purdue LG Shane Evans to block his direct path to the D.J. Knox during the screen pic.twitter.com/L2LGZKfBUU
— atreya verma (@atreya_verma) October 23, 2018
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Shane Evans and Rickey Neal headline Chicago Bears local pro day thus far
Interior offensive line and edge rusher are two areas of the Bears roster that are looking a little thin thus far this offseason. So it would make sense they’d pinpoint those positions with invitations to their pro day. Two names that sort of stick out are Purdue guard Shane Evans and Northern Iowa linebacker Rickey Neal.
The Bears have met with Neal already this offseason so this will be their second chance to get another look at him. He demonstrated some pass rush potential in 2017 with 9.5 sacks but regressed to just 4.5 last year. He did miss some games with injury though but has decent size and some athletic potential.
Evans may be even more interesting. A native of Crystal Lake, Illinois he transferred to Purdue from Northern Illinois in 2017 and became their starting left guard. He’s a big boy at 6’4, 310 lbs and seems to have a strong affinity for pass protection. He gets violent with his hands and shows an ability to regain his anchor when initially driven back. Mobility to pull and reach the second level is also two things he can do.
Nobody will say he’s a closet star in waiting, but the kid has potential that is worth exploring. Especially with a coach like Harry Hiestand under your employ. It will be interesting to see what other names might be joining them for the festivities. One way or another, it’s clear they both have the Bears’ attention for good reasons.
