Chicago Bears: Senior Bowl prospects to watch

With the 2018 Draft just months away, new head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace will be keeping a close eye on Saturday’s Senior Bowl.

With Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears rounding out their coaching staff, the fans’ focus will now turn to free agency and the 2018 NFL Draft.  While the former will certainly impact what they do in the latter, here are three names the Chicago Bears should be watching closely in the Reese’s Senior Bowl:

Chicago Bears fans should be all-aboard the Michael Gallup bandwagon.  Despite what some have predicted in their mock drafts, it is highly unlikely the Bears take a wide receiver with the 8th overall pick.  However, it is possible the Bears could steal Gallup in the second round.  Many draft experts do not have him ranked among their top 5 wide receivers.  This is an absolute mystery since Gallup has the potential to end up as the best wide receiver in this draft.

Gallup possesses a skill set that would translate into Nagy’s West Coast offense, or as this author has affectionately dubbed it, the “Spread Coast offense,” because it incorporates spread offense concepts into the traditional West Coast scheme.  Gallup, who stands 6′ 1″ and weighs 200 lbs, is not considered a big receiver by traditional standards.  However, Gallup plays much bigger than his size.  He is extremely physical, and uses his body to box out defenders.  Gallup also has a tremendous knack for going to get the football.  He can attack the ball at its highest point, but also possesses superior body control that allows him to adjust to poorly thrown balls.

However, what is most impressive about Gallup and what translates so well into Nagy’s scheme, is his playmaking ability.  Wide receivers in the West Coast offense need to be meticulous route runners, since so many of the throws are timing based.  They also need to get separation on those routes.  Gallup’s ability to separate, and breakaway speed after the catch are also something to marvel. In 2017 alone he racked up 100 receptions, 1413 yards, 7 TDs.

This year in Kansas City, Nagy demonstrated a desire to push the ball downfield.  In fact, Alex Smith enjoyed his best season throwing the deep pass.  This is where Gallup would shine.  Throughout his college career he has demonstrated an ability to vertically stretch the defense with his speed and route running.  This year he averaged 14.2 yards per catch, and 16.7 in 2016.  In short, he checks all the boxes for a receiver in Nagy’s offense.