Chicago Bears: 10 viable draft prospects to watch at the combine

EDGE Arden Key, LSU

Having linebackers with the ability to shed blockers is a luxury for a coordinator like Fangio, and Arden Key is absolutely one of them. With his 6’6” 265lb frame, Key is able to break away from the opposition and get into a place where he can blow up a play in a hurry.

Key is a wildcard, to be quite honest. If you don’t know a lot about him, Key has had a history of variables threatening to derail his career. He left his team last spring for personal reasons. His weight has been a problem. He also has had shoulder surgery within the last year.

All of those could keep Key out of the first round, and that would be fine by me. The Bears may snag him if he falls to them at number 39 overall, and it might just be a risk worth taking.

As I said previously, one of Key’s biggest strengths is his ability to shed blockers. How does he do it? He is famous for how he uses his hands. Somehow, some way, his hands are always in control. He finds a way to keep his hands free. Never mind the running back giving way to the tackle, the key here is how great his hand work is — pun intended.

A knock on Key is how he may appear slower than he really is, simply because of his awkward movement. He doesn’t move his body like most linebackers should. It isn’t necessarily pretty to watch, but more often than not, it works.

Watch for Key to fall as other prospects rise, and maybe the Bears take their shot with him.