The Chicago Bears likely have a short list of players they really want to snag in this upcoming NFL draft. It is only natural. GMs and head coaches tend to find their favorites by this time of year. They’ve smashed the film and done the interviews. Pictures have formed on which players they think have the best chance to be really good at the pro level. The hard part is finding a way to get at least two or three of them. It starts with their 9th overall pick in the 1st round.
However, for every few names that stand a good chance of success in the NFL, there are also ones the Bears need to avoid. These are players with injury history, off-the-field issues, size concerns, athletic limitations, or lacking production. Red flags that lead one to think their bust factor is high. Here are some hyped prospects that the Bears need to avoid.
The Chicago Bears can’t afford these risks.
Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia)
Talent-wise, Carter has a case for being the best in this class. He’s big, strong, quick, and explosive. The problem is the red flags are numerous. He was arrested for street racing that resulted in two deaths. There are multiple reports of him hating practice. This leads to questions about his maturity and work ethic. If that weren’t enough, his actual production for Georgia was pedestrian. Not once did he top even five sacks in a season. Off-the-field concerns and limited production are big issues. There is way too much projection involved with Carter. Too many variables. Smart teams don’t take such risks.
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Josh Downs (WR, North Carolina)
There is no question Downs has good speed and athleticism. He plays the position with the alpha mentality you like. The problem is there are limitations to what he can do. He’s 5’9 and barely 170 lbs. That is significantly undersized for an NFL wide receiver. He also often suffers from dropped passes and isn’t the most precise route runner. His explosiveness will entice somebody, but the Bears can find somebody like him later in the draft at a far cheaper price. Nothing about him is special.
Calijah Kancey (DT, Pitt)
Few players have generated more pre-draft buzz than Kancey. His tape is definitely fun. His quickness, explosion, and natural pass-rushing skills are hard to deny. He looks like the quintessential three-technique interior pass rusher at first glance. One must be careful, though. Kancey is only 6’1 with 31-inch arms. So not only is he short for a defensive tackle, but he lacks length too. He resembles Ed Oliver in many ways, and the former 1st round pick has been a disappointment in Buffalo. Kancey is a fun player, but he doesn’t fit the traditional prototype of a successful defensive tackle in this league. The Chicago Bears should not risk it.
Cody Mauch (OL, North Dakota State)
People seem to love the big dudes with wild hair and missing teeth. There is no denying Mauch is tough and plays the offensive tackle position with power and violence. He should be a solid run blocker in the NFL. Pass protection is something else. He has shorter-than-average arms, and he couples that with bad footwork. Those two concerns could haunt him even if he moves inside to guard as expected. Poles has sought to improve Justin Fields’ protection. Mauch isn’t likely to do that.
Zach Harrison (EDGE, Ohio State)
This is the opposite issue. On paper, Harrison is a scout’s dream. He’s 6’6 with long arms and is a tremendous athlete for an edge rusher, as is typical of Ohio State prospects. Undoubtedly, he has the physical profile of somebody that can dominate in the pros. The problem is, like Carter, his production doesn’t back it up. He had 11 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss in four seasons with the Buckeyes. There was never a significant improvement during that time, which leads you to believe he’s missing a character trait of some kind that would make him the beast he should be.
Kjmerk is a jerk.
You either have it in your head and heart. It’s all about focus and effort and willingness to learn and grow to be a better player. Some very talented players don’t have this when it comes to football or anything else in life. You have to never be satisfied no matter how talented and good that you are. The it factor Some have it and some don’t
Disagree on Calijah. He could be the second best 3 tech in this draft. His burst is amazing and he would fit what the Bears are trying to do.
Kancey: Yes, he’s short, under 300 lbs, and has short arms. So does Ed Oliver. Here’s another player who fit those descriptions. Warren Sapp. Aaron Donald is also in that mold, shorter, faster, shorter arms. He’s doing all right. So I wouldn’t let Kancey’s arm length deter me from picking him.
In the end, it’s all about film, and how a player performs in a game. From what I understand, Kancey’s film is pretty good. Maybe not top 10 good, but first round good. The question is does he fit what the Bears need at 3-Tech. I suspect he does.
KJmerk: No. If he had a good attitude, loved football, and wasn’t an off the field distraction, the Bears might not have traded out of the #1 spot. But none of those are true. And expecting me to give a one word answer is, well, that one is on you, dude.