Five prospects that will dominate the NFL Combine who should be on the Bears' radar
The Chicago Bears scouting party is on the way to Indianapolis, Indiana this week for the NFL Scouting Combine. The event will be a great opportunity for the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft to test and perform in front of scouts and executives from all 32 teams. The event testings will kick off later […]
The Chicago Bears scouting party is on the way to Indianapolis, Indiana this week for the NFL Scouting Combine.
The event will be a great opportunity for the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft to test and perform in front of scouts and executives from all 32 teams. The event testings will kick off later in the week at Lucas Oil Stadium and the event will officially wrap up on Monday, March 4.
Plenty of top prospects will be making themselves a lot of money this week at the Combine by showing off their athletic prowess. Here's five players who are sure to dominate the drills this week that should be on the Bears' radar.
Washington WR Rome Odunze
One of the top wide receivers in the draft will be the top prospect at the position this week after the latest news. With Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers opting out of the test drills this week, Rome Odunze will be the receiver that everyone will be having their eyes on at the Combine.
Odunze is my ideal prospect for the Bears to land in the first-round regardless of who's starting at quarterback in 2024. The 6'3, 215 pound receiver is set to show off why he could be the best player at his position in this class.
I expect his savviness and craftiness to be on display while running routes and drills on the field. His explosiveness and speed scores will also be important to monitor.
Florida State DE Jared Verse
If the Bears look to add to the defense in the first-round, Florida State defensive end Jared Verse will be the name to keep an eye on during the week.
Verse is a pocket crusher and expected to be an immediate starter as a pass rusher at the next level. Compared to the other pass rushers with first-round potential, I believe Verse will have the most eye-opening performance during the week.
The 6'4, 260 pound monster athlete cracked Bruce Feldman's "Freak List" before the 2023 season. Feldman listed Verse's burst and acceleration as top qualities in his game that sets Verse apart from the competition. Let's see if that holds true.
Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat
A player who has an opportunity to put himself out of the Bears' potential draft range is Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. The Bears currently do not hold a draft pick in the second round which the expected landing spot for the former Longhorn. If the Bears can change that by April, Sweat should be a primary target to look into.
At 6'4, 362 pounds, Sweat is certainly going to be one of the high profile defensive tackles at the Combine this year. We will get a true idea about what kind of athletic freak he really is this week, although we already have a good idea after watching his tape during the 2023 season.
USC RB MarShawn Lloyd
It's not yet determined whether or not the Bears will be in the market for a running back in the 2024 Draft after selecting Roschon Johnson in the fourth-round last year. However, after his subpar rookie campaign and with Khalil Herbert entering the final year of his contract, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the team draft another one.
One name to keep an eye on is USC's MarShawn Lloyd who I think will end up being a household name by the end of the week. At 5'9, 210 pounds, Lloyd is expected to put on a show this week during the testings after what he showed at the Senior Bowl.
Texas Tech S Tyler Owens
My early pick for the fastest 40-yard dash time at the Combine is going to be Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens. Owens came in at 29th on the "Freaks List" and reportedly has clocked out at 23 miles per hour in game speed. During a linear 40-yard dash, he should be able to smoke the competition.
At 6'2, 205 pounds, Feldman also noted that Owens vertical-jumped over 40 inches last offseason ahead of the 2023 season.
The Bears should be in the market for a new safety to roam the secondary after losing Eddie Jackson and Owens could the most athletic player to replace him and could be acquired as a late round steal.
