Almost every year there are a number of individuals who blow up the combine and pop up on the radar of many NFL fans. Whether it is running a blazing 40-yard dash or jumping out of the building, the combine offers a chance for fans to be acquainted with players who could potentially be suiting up for their favorite team next fall.
Ryan Pace has not been shy about taking explosive athletes who excelled at the combine, and while some have worked like Tarik Cohen, others have failed to make a mark like Kevin White.
Without further ado, here are some players that showed out at the combine and should be realistic options for the Bears late on Day 2 or on Day 3:
5. Miles Sanders, Running Back, Penn State
5-foot-11, 211 Pounds, 4.49 40-yard dash, 20 Bench Press Reps, 36 Inch Vertical, 124 Inch Broad Jump, 6.89 3-Cone Drill, 4.19 20-Yard Shuttle
Obviously running back is a position a lot of Bears fans have been paying attention to leading into the start of the 2019 offseason. Sanders is a running back who has the ability to play on all three downs and showed he was smooth catching the ball at the combine on Saturday.
After being the backup to Saquon Barkley in 2016 and 2017, Sanders was finally afforded the opportunity to be the lead back in 2018, and he did not disappoint, rushing for 1,274 yards on 220 carries for 5.8 yards a carry. Sanders is one of the few running backs in this year’s draft who can come in and immediately contribute on all three downs and be the feature back.
Due to his strong performance, the Bears might even have to trade up to get him, something Bears fans know Pace is not afraid to do. In some ways, Sanders smooth running style to go with his patience, vision and ability to cut on a dime reminds me a little bit of former Bear Matt Forte.
4. Justice Hill, Running Back, Oklahoma State
5-foot-10, 198 Pounds, 4.40 40-yard dash, 21 Bench Press Reps, 40 Inch Vertical, 130 Inch Broad Jump
Before injuring his hamstring on his second 40-yard dash run, Hill was on his way to possibly the best combine performance of anyone at the running back position this year.
Although his size does not scream NFL running back, Hill runs hard and led Oklahoma State in both rushing and carries each of his three years in the program. And while he may seem small, Phillip Lindsay of the Denver Broncos showed it does not take a 6-foot, 220-pound frame to run for 1,000 yards in the NFL anymore.
Hillās best role would be splitting carries with a veteran, maybe Jordan Howard, or maybe a free agent such as TJ Yeldon if Howard is traded. Hill could easily slide into a higher volume and enhanced version of the role played by Taquan Mizzell in 2018 while ideally offering more in the run game. Hill could finally allow Cohen to be used as the premier gadget back that he is.
3. Mecole Hardman, Wide Receiver, Georgia
5-foot-10, 187 pounds, 4.33 40-yard dash, 17 Bench Press Reps, 36.5 Inch Vertical, 119 Inch Broad Jump
Hardman was one of my favorites coming into the 2019 NFL Combine. Despite only catching 35 passes for 543 yards during his junior year, he was in a run-heavy offense while splitting time with two other wide receivers who are also likely to be drafted.
Additionally, it was only his second year as a wide receiver after playing quarterback in college and cornerback his freshman year at Georgia. Hardman melts angles on the field and shows easy acceleration that is only seen in a select number of players in the NFL.
Though comparisons to all-pro players is an exercise in futility, it would be fun to see Matt Nagy potentially get his own version of Tyreek Hill to really open things up for this Bearsā offense. Hardman mentioned in his combine interview that his versatility makes him valuable, and he can play anywhere.
Similar to Hill, Hardman could be used in the backfield, inside at slot, outside and was also valuable on special teams at Georgia, where he was used as a punt returner, kick returner and a gunner on the punt team. The Bearsā offense (and kick return) needs more explosive plays and a true deep threat who can go 80 yards in one play like Hardman did in the 2018 National Championship.
2. Parris Campbell, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
6-foot-0, 205 pounds, 4.31 40-yard dash, 11 Bench Press Reps, 40 Inch Vertical, 135 Inch Broad Jump, 4.03 20-yard shuttle
Campbell is somewhat hard to judge as a wide receiver prospect as Ohio State primarily used him on jet sweeps, shovel passes and in the screen game. Because of this, Campbell is hard to assess as a route runner, but it is hard to argue with those testing numbers.
As previously stated, the Bears need someone who can take the top off a defense with their speed. Taylor Gabriel is fast, but his game is not necessarily about blowing by defenders while Campbellās could be. Having drawn comparisons to former Urban Meyer standout Percy Harvin, Campbell actually ran faster (4.31 40-yard dash vs. 4.41), jumped higher (40-inch vertical vs. 37.5) and jumped farther (135-inch broad jump vs. 121).
Additionally, Campbell also returned kicks in 2016 and 2017 and would have had the second-best kick return average in 2017 had he returned enough kicks to qualify. Campbell is a smooth, fluid athlete but is also a little bit raw due to the system he is coming from. At the very least it would be exciting to see how Nagy would deploy such an explosive player with the speed to keep defensive coordinators up at night.
1. Foster Moreau, Tight End, Louisiana State
6-foot-4, 253 pounds, 4.66 40-yard dash, 22 Bench Press Reps, 36.5 Inch Vertical, 121 Inch Broad Jump, 7.16 3-Cone Drill, 4.11 20-yard shuttle
It is safe to wonder if tight end Adam Shaheen is trending toward bust territory. Part of this is due to him not being able to remain healthy, but even when he was healthy, there was not necessarily any evidence that says he is the future at the position.
For this reason, as well as Ben Braunecker and Daniel Brown being free agents, it is not out of the question for the Bears to draft a tight end. Itās a position that plays such a vital role in Nagyās offense.
As for Moreau, it is almost impossible to judge him based on college stats as he was criminally underused at LSU. Like Hardman at Georgia, Moreau was in an offensive system that wanted to establish the run, and therefore, he saw very few targets.
Though not a comparison, George Kittle is a player who comes to mind as someone who saw a lack of opportunity in a run-heavy offense but went on to explode due to his elite athleticism. Moreau offers upside as an additional blocker in the run game but also in the passing game with his untapped athletic potential that will likely help him contribute right away.
Why in the fck do the Bears want a WR, with this limited number of picks?????????????????
Because they donāt have enough explosive WRs that can make a difference in the passing game. And thatās what this offense is about.
Robinson is solid. Miller looks like he be a great WR. But as fast as Gabriel is, itās clear they overpaid for him and he doesnāt give the Bears the type of threat they want from the slot.
Campbell or Hardman could really make this WR Corp dangerous. Besides, the Bears canāt rely on using FAgency to fill their receiver positions. They have to start being mindful of the salary cap. And if Trubisky turns out to be legit, think about the chunk of cap space heāll take 2 yrs from now.
And the Bears now have a coach and GM that know something about finding offensive players, compared to the past Bears GMs that were narrow minded and knew very little about offensive scouting.
I don’t think Ryan Pace thinks like that Rob. He simply wants to add talent to the team and it doesn’t matter what the position is. As I mentioned in the summary of both of the wide receivers, they have extensive work in the kick return game, an area where the Bears were one of the worst in the entire NFL last year. And players with the kind of speed that Hardman and Campbell have tend to open the field up making all the other skill position players you mentioned that much better.
I really don’t think Ryan Pace things in those terms. He likes to draft the best player available and if that happens to be a wide receiver then that is who he will draft. As the article says, Hardman and Campbell both have extensive work returning kicks, an area where the Bears significantly struggled to the tune of being worst in the league. Also, those two players have the type of speed that opens so much room underneath and require extra attention which will help all the skill players you mentioned be even better.
Good article. Sanders and Hill would be steals for the Bears if they are there in the 3rd rd. They could be RBs who thrive in this offense.
I agree that Moreau is a heck of a talent that could be a gem from this draft. I had high hopes for Shaheen too, but he does have the ābust feelā to him. Hopefully this season is different.
If Pace sticks to his best player available philosophy and Moreau is there in the 3rd, he may not be able to walk away from him. Weāll see what happens in April.
The Bears line does not receive enough conversation. Long is likely done after the upcoming season. Massieās deal is set up that the Bears will likely release him after 2020. Whitehair is waiting on his extension, Daniel looks good but is young and then there is a serviceable Leno. Donāt forget they have no real depth either. It really wonāt matter who is trying to run the ball or catch it until this line is addressed.
Iām sure theyāll address the OL in the next draft when theyāll have two 2nd rounders. Leno is not āserviceable.ā Heās a top 15 LT and heās done a tremendous job the last 3 seasons. He wouldnāt have been given that fat contract just being āserviceable.ā Guards are easily replaced. And Massie could give them at least another 2-3 years. Heās been durable. And with Hiestsnd coaching these guys now, Iām confident they can get by with cast off veterans for depth.
Jim this piece wasn’t necessarily about who I think the Bears should draft or even target but rather players who had good combines testing wise. I absolutely agree that the Bears need offensive line depth but none of the offensive linemen that could potentially be available stood out athletically which is what this article was about. I would not be shocked nor upset if the Bears drafted an offensive lineman with their third round pick.
I understand your insight, but after only one season in Nagys offense, it’s difficult to say the bears need playmakers. Depth in the offensive line, tight end, and defensive end need addressing. Injury in these positions could be difficult to overcome. New punter , accurate kicker would improve field position. ( needs a lot of work ). Trying to find a OT , RB, DE , and TE with just a few low picks will be tough. Not many holes to fill or money to fill them. Spend wisely and trust the good scouts Pace and the Bears have.