Chicago Bears: ESPN botches hypothetical startup draft

Round 2, Pick 46

ESPN’s Pick: Running Back Derrick Henry

Round 2 was an interesting one, because ESPN handed the Bears Derrick Henry, the reigning rushing champion. While on the surface it seems like great value, Henry is 26 years old and coming off a season where he carried the ball 303 times.

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He’s a true workhorse, but Henry doesn’t pose much of a threat in the passing game. The Bears’ current playbook needs a back who is comfortable catching the football, and that’s not Henry. In four seasons, Henry has just 57 career receptions, never surpassing 18 in a single campaign.

Instead of drafting Henry, the Bears should go a different route.

Our Pick: Running Back Alvin Kamara

A guy who went a few picks later, Alvin Kamara, is two years younger than Henry and poses much more of a dual-threat. He’s one of the elite backs in football and has far less tread on him, too. Over three seasons in the NFL, Kamara has totaled at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage and, on his career, averages 8.5 yards per reception. That’s the key.

Intriguing fact: Kamara has posted 81 receptions in each of his first three years in the league. Not only is that kind of a quirky stat, but it’s downright consistent. It’s impressive. Kamara is the epitome of a dual-threat back, and he’s a tough guy to tackle. I’d say he fits in Nagy’s offense much better than Henry. Give me the more well-rounded back, with less overall work in his past and is two years younger.