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Chicago Bears 2017 NFL Draft: Team sends small army to see Deshaun Watson

By Carlos Nazario

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to the bench against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to the bench against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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While many analysts have the Chicago Bears going with a defensive player with the third pick of this year’s draft, they sent an entire army of front office personnel and coaches to take a look at quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Now that the free agency frenzy hit us, the focus turns to the draft. The Chicago Bears have the third pick of this year’s NFL Draft, so this is an important pick for the franchise. If they make the right pick, it is a player who could be one of the faces of the team’s comeback to respectability.

In many of the mock drafts, analysts have the Bears going with a defensive player with that first round pick. Jonathan Allen, Solomon Thomas, and Jamal Adams are just some of the names linked with them.

Of course, all those mocks are just educated guesses. The only people who know for sure what the move is are those who will be in the war room during the draft. Ultimately, though, it is on general manager Ryan Pace’s shoulders. He takes all the responsibility of the draft choice.

With that being said, the Bears did something that turned a few heads on Thursday. Deshaun Watson, the quarterback who led the Clemson Tigers to the National Championship, had his Pro Day. Among the many teams attending were the Bears, but they sent a small army to evaluate him.

The Bears sent Pace, head coach John Fox, director of player personnel Josh Lucas, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone. Fox and Clemson’s head coach Dabo Swinney spent a long period of time talking.

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Now all this could be a smokescreen by the Bears. They may want to trade down, and if a team lower in the draft covets Watson, a deal could be made. With the huge number of representatives, however, that might not be the case.

Yes, the Chicago Bears signed Mike Glennon. That deal was for three seasons, though. The guaranteed money runs out before the end of the second season. If Glennon isn’t doing the job expected, the team can cut ties without cap repercussion. In order for them to do that, however, they need a backup who can step in and take over.

No one questions Watson’s accomplishments, and his character is impeccable. The trouble is that scouts question how he looks to his progressions and question his deep throws.

Waston works with quarterback guru and former Chicago Bears quarterback Jordan Palmer. He speaks highly of Watson.

"You saw a lot of zip on the ball. And energy at the end of the throws. That’s what teams are looking at. On the last third of the throws, how much energy is there? Does the ball die? Or does it finish on the receiver’s face? Deshaun answered that today."

For his part, Swinney continues to sing high praise for his quarterback. During the Senior Bowl, he compared Watson to Michael Jordan. He didn’t back down from that on Thursday.

"Again, it’s easy to watch the tape and you can poke holes in people. … But I don’t know how to articulate the type of greatness that’s inside of (Deshaun). And for me, that’s what Michael Jordan represents. Because that’s what I grew up with.And I’m sure when Michael Jordan was coming out of North Carolina, his 3-pointer probably wasn’t very good. He probably had some flaws. And you could start poking holes in him. But it’s about who he was. It’s that will, that drive. You can’t coach that. And that’s what I want to make sure that I articulate (about Deshaun). This guy is brilliant between the ears. And he’s special in his heart. And he’s always the same."

Next: Reviewing recent Bears mock draft

Apparently, the Chicago Bears may feel similarly. Remember, the Chicago Bulls drafted Jordan with the number three pick in the draft. Perhaps the Bears experience some of that same number three magic for them. Everyone knows they are due for some magic.

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