The Chicago Bears offseason is already off and running. They’re busy trying to fill out their coaching staff after several assistants departed. Something that has proven a challenge given the reality that head coach Matt Nagy is undoubtedly on the hot seat. So luring quality assistants is going to prove difficult without a prospect of long-term stability.
Be that as it may, the Bears can’t afford to let it deter them from conducting the business of improving this roster. It starts in less than a week when several top prospects will convene down in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl. Widely considered the most important event of the pre-draft schedule outside of the Scouting Combine.
In fact with the combine being canceled this year, its significance is even great. The Bears are sure to pay lots of attention to the prospects attending the event. Who are some names that are certain to make their list? Here are ones from every position group to remember.
Chicago Bears have plenty of guys to monitor down in Mobile
Mac Jones (QB, Alabama)
The Heisman Trophy finalist is now a national champion as well. Jones played as close to flawless football as a QB can get in college with 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions. His poise and accuracy were on display every week. The intelligence is definitely there. The big concerns with him are his rather average body, okay-not-great arm strength, and the fact he was surrounded by elite talent and coaching. He’ll need to show it wasn’t just the situation that made him a success.
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Michael Carter (RB, North Carolina)
The Tarheels running back will be knocked for only being 5’8 in terms of size. Don’t be fooled. Big things come in small packages quite often in the NFL. Carter is one of them. He topped 1,000 yards rushing each of the past two seasons. His mixture of vision, quickness, and burst makes for a tough combination to defend. Not to mention his underrated receiving skills. If the Bears are uncertain about the health status of Tarik Cohen, this kid could be a strong addition to their backfield.
Dillon Radunz (OT, North Dakota State)
One thing about the Senior Bowl is it serves as the ideal stage for prospects coming from smaller colleges to showcase their skills. Prove to NFL teams they weren’t just feasting on easier competition. Radunz is one of those players who stands to benefit the most. The big left tackle dominated for long stretches during his career at North Dakota State. He has size, athleticism, length, and plays with a nasty streak. What people don’t know is if he can handle higher levels of speed and power. This will be a great test for him.
Most guys couldn’t sustain on a shield the way @NDSUfootball LT Dillon Radunz does on that LB. He’s going to bring it in Mobile next week. https://t.co/9mlCa1aYvR
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 20, 2021
Nico Collins (WR, Michigan)
NFL teams are likely dying to get a look at Collins. The 6’4 receiver was poised for big things in 2021 before COVID-19 hit. He decided to opt out of playing this season and hasn’t seen a football field since. A shame given his obvious size coupled with legitimate vertical speed and ball skills. Route running figures to be raw for him given the lack of experience but his upside is considered substantial. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s put his time off to good use the past few months.
Tony Poljan (TE, Virginia)
This kid is a fascinating prospect. Originally a quarterback, he shifted to tight end while at Central Michigan before transferring to Virginia. After some inevitable growing pains, he grasped the position remarkably fast. Despite not being a primary target this past year, his mixture of size, athleticism, and intelligence showed up a lot with 411 yards and six touchdowns on 38 catches. He has the look of somebody who will be a much better pro player than a college one.
Marvin Wilson (DL, Florida State)
The Chicago Bears have been routinely great at churning out defensive linemen during the Ryan Pace era. One can imagine they’ll be watching that position group closely. Especially with Akiem Hicks getting up there in years. Wilson fits their profile. He’s a big, long, and powerful human being with deceptive quickness for his size. A lot of his issues at Florida State were technically-based. He has a chance to be really good if he can iron those out.
Quincy Roche: second-most QB pressures among FBS edge defenders pic.twitter.com/LGy77egDP1
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 21, 2020
Quincy Roche (EDGE, Miami)
The Hurricanes are producing three intriguing edge defenders this year. Roche might be the most overlooked. He only had 4.5 sacks in 2020 but did have 14.5 tackles for a loss. The year prior he racked up 13 sacks at Temple. He has that quickness and bend to get into the backfield with a good first step. Though only around 240 lbs he played well against the run. His technique is probably his best feature. The guy takes it seriously. He could be a genuine sleeper in this class.
Paddy Fisher (LB, Northwestern)
The Northwestern defense was one of the best in college football this past season. Fisher is regarded as one of its leaders and cornerstones. He started all four years in his college career with over 400 tackles, four interceptions, two sacks, and 10 forced fumbles. While not the greatest athlete in the world, Fisher has intelligence, size, and instinct. He’s rarely out of position. Teams may knock him for his lack of tools but he’s a ball player.
Paddy Fisher and beating blocks as a linebacker 101 pic.twitter.com/nw8Jk0ZWas
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) July 23, 2018
Aaron Robinson (CB, UCF)
The nickel cornerback position has gained importance so much in recent years. Now the Chicago Bears have a lingering question at that spot. Buster Skrine is likely done here and his replacement Duke Shelley was uneven down the stretch. They may consider adding some competition there. Robinson has the sort of quick feet and read-and-react ability tailor-made for the slot corner job. He’s also 6’1, which is bigger than average for that spot too. He’ll need to show he has improved his eye discipline though.
Richard LeCounte III (S, Georgia)
The best safeties are the ones who can see the field well, move around and create favorable matchups regardless of the situation. They are good communicators as well. LeCounte checks all of those boxes. He has seven interceptions in his past two years and is somebody offenses try to avoid as much as possible. The big knock him is size at just 5’11, 190 lbs. Teams will have to make sure to utilize him properly.
