Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: A post-Andy Dalton dilemma
By Ryan Heckman
Kenneth Gainwell. 3. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. RB. Memphis. player. 57
Last year, we saw David Montgomery take a huge step forward over the second half of the season. You may still have to remind a few people that he finished as the NFL’s sixth-leading rusher. He’s a phenomenal talent and looks as though a real breakout is on the way in Year 3.
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Behind Montgomery, the Bears don’t have much in terms of a real prototypical backup running back. It appears Cordarrelle Patterson’s days as a Bear are numbered, unless the team re-signs him soon. Tarik Cohen will be back, but he is more of a gadgety type and provides a lot of value on special teams.
The Bears need another back, and in Memphis’ Kenneth Gainwell, they get a versatile weapon. He lines up as a running back, but was also featured as a slot receiver at times as well. His overall speed and burst are what make him so dangerous in the open field, and would give the Bears yet another potential home run type of player.
Allowing Montgomery to take a breather every once and a while will be important to maintaining his career. Ryan Nall isn’t going to cut it, either. The Bears need one more talent in the back field, and Gainwell is that guy.
Last year with the Tigers, Gainwell tallied over 2,000 yards from scrimmage (610 receiving) and 16 touchdowns. He is the perfect example of a player you simply draft because he makes big plays, period. The Bears need as many of those as possible.