Pulling coaches from the college ranks to fill out your staff can sometimes be beneficial. They often bring inside knowledge on certain players that teams might not be entirely aware of. It appears new offensive line coach Dan Roushar has done that for the Chicago Bears. The irony is he’s helping in an area that isn’t his direct expertise. Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network reported that the Bears are bringing in Tulane wide receiver Dontae Fleming for a top-30 visit.
Roushar coached at Tulane the previous two years. Fleming transferred there in 2023 and went from bench player to starter last season. It was a breakout year for him, as he went for 598 yards while averaging 19.3 per catch. His tape showed his pure speed and ability to make things happen after the catch. He also has a deceptive ability to make tough catches in tight coverage. The concerns with him are straightforward.
He’s thin at just 180 lbs and only has one year of solid production. It is fair to wonder how much better he can get in the NFL, especially with no proven track record as a return man.
Dan Roushar must see something in Fleming.
After all, he knows what head coach Ben Johnson wants. Everything about the Bears’ off-season approach says they’re searching for players who have two qualities: speed and playmaking ability with the ball in their hands. Fleming has both, even if it’s in smaller doses. One could argue he never really got a fair chance until last season to show what he can do. Dan Roushar watched Sean Payton elevate undervalued receivers for years in New Orleans with names like Marques Colston, Kenny Stills, Willie Snead, and Marquez Callaway. He likely feels Johnson is capable of doing the same. All he has to do is point the Bears head coach to the right players. Fleming certainly fits the right criteria.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
No way! Nothing special with 4.5 speed and no interest from other NFL teams.
One of Roushar’s players at Tulane? Why not get Aunt Jenny to make the uniforms, too!
I’d rather have any one of these WRs:
CDike FLA 6-0 195 4.34, JLane VT 5-10 200 4.34, DThornton TEN 6-5 215 4.3, MBaldwin 5-9 175 4.32, or CTyree VIRG 5-10 200 with 4.29 speed!
ALL of the prospects I named would be better to draft or sign as UDFA than Fleming!
Hmmm … suppose the dude has some friends.
Bad Bunny says give him a fair chance.
UDFA, nothing chanced nothing gained