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.

Marcus Davenport is an absolute monster, and may also be the fastest rising player in the Senior Bowl.  Once considered a second or third round prospect, he is skyrocketing up draft boards.  Therefore, if the Chicago Bears want him, it may have to be with the 8th overall pick.

At 6′ 7″ and 255 lbs, Davenport is an athletic freak of nature.  Bradley Chubb may be the most pro-ready edge rusher in the draft and is expected to be the first defensive end off the board.  However, Davenport may have the higher ceiling.  He is still a little raw in terms of technique, but no one bull-rushes an offensive lineman like this man.  In college, he played both with his hand in the dirt and from a two-point stance.  He has the speed to get after the QB or chase down a RB in space.  Davenport plays with a high motor and never takes off a play.  Last year Davenport recorded 8.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for a loss.  He would be the perfect compliment to Leonard Floyd who is coming off a significant knee injury.

The one knock against Davenport has been that he has played against inferior competition while in college.  He will have a chance to silence his critics this Saturday in the Senior Bowl.  Make no mistake though, Davenport will be a star in the NFL.  The only question is whether he will still be on the board when the Chicago Bears are on the clock.

The smart money is on the Chicago Bears to draft an edge rusher or offensive lineman with their first round pick.  Some of the OL names that have been mentioned are Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey, and Connor Williams.  While Nelson is a dominant player, some believe #8 is too high for an OG.  Although McGlinchey played LT in college, he projects as more of a RT in the pros.  The Bears are likely looking for a LT in the draft so they can slide Charles Leno over to the RT position.  That would leave Connor Williams, and if the Bears are not sold on him at #8, they may be looking in the later rounds for some offensive line help.  This is where they could find another steal in Austin Corbett.

In 2013, Austin Corbett arrived to the University of Nevada as a walk-on.  He will leave in 2018 as a 6′ 4″, 305 lbs offensive lineman, with an appearance on the preseason Outland Trophy watch list.  Though he played LT in college, he will be at Center for the Senior Bowl.  With the Chicago Bears, Corbett would likely slide over to Guard if the Bears release Josh Sitton.  If they do bring Sitton back, Corbett would provide much needed depth.

Corbett’s a very bright, technically sound lineman with great footwork and terrific size for an interior lineman.  He has also earned the reputation as an incredibly hard worker.  On paper and on film, he is someone new Bears’ offensive line coach Harry Hiestand could turn into a pro bowler.  The bet part is, he can likely be had in the 5th or 6th round.  While he may not fit the Bears’ need for a LT, if they pass on an offensive lineman early, they can still land a gem with a little patience.

Next: Kiper Jr tabs Calvin Ridley as Bears #8 pick

For those Chicago Bears fans needing a football fix this weekend, but cannot bring themselves to watch the Vikings or Patriots, the Senior Bowl offers a chance to get a potential glimpse into the Bears’ future.