Chicago Bears draft: Running backs that could replace Jordan Howard

Royce Freeman, Oregon

Now, just because Jordan Howard may have been/may currently be involved in some trade rumors doesn’t mean the Chicago Bears don’t like him or his style of play.

Specifically, though he might not be a perfect scheme fit with Nagy’s love of outside zones out of the spread offense, there’s still a lot to like about the way Howard runs the football.

If the Bears wanted to trade out Howard for a slightly newer model with some pass-catching upgrades, Freeman could be that guy.

In fact, when you read through Freeman’s scouting report, he shares quite a few characteristics with Howard on the surface.

Strong. Dependable. Willing to run between the tackles. Able to fight through contact for extra hards. Not terribly fast, but possess good field vision.

Stuff that in a slightly shorter frame, and you essentially have a baby Jordan Howard. And when you watch them run the football, you can see the similarities as well.

Two things, in particular, might pull the Bears toward someone like Freeman, though, as a potential replacement for Howard.

First, he comes from Oregon’s high-octane spread attack where he played under one Mark Helfrich for two seasons. As such, the Bears will be well-apprised of what he can do and how well he could fit Nagy’s offense.

Secondly, whatever he gives up to someone like Howard as a pure runner, he gains back with his improved hands.

If nothing else, that aspect might represent the single greatest reason Howard could be playing somewhere else soon: his inability to consistently catch the football. If he could do that, we might not be talking about this right now.

Next: Jordan Howard controversy on the rise?

Scouts do have some concerns about the mileage he’s accrued in college (almost 1000 carries over four years) and lack of elite speed or agility. Kareem Hunt or Tarik Cohen he is not. As such, maybe he’s not exactly the guy you want as your eventual starter. Maybe he’d fit better as a committee power back.

That said, if the Bears wanted to keep Jordan Howard’s skill set while adding a bit more in the passing game, Freeman is an option.