The NFL Scouting Combine features draft-eligible prospects showcasing their skills in front of NFL front office executives, scouts, coaches, and fans who tune in on NFL Network to take in the event. If the Bears are going to get back to their winning ways, the process will begin with successful scouting at the Combine that serves as a springboard to a building a strong draft board. So let’s highlight some prospects working out in today’s drills and see if we can find some future fits.
Previous: QB/TE/WR.
Today: Offensive linemen, Running backs, Specialists
TOP 10 OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
- Jedrick Willis Jr., Alabama
- Andrew Thomas, Georgia
- Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
- Mekhi Becton, Louisville
- Josh Jones, Houston
- Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
- Austin Jackson, USC
- Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
- Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
- Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU
These linemen have met with the Bears: Ben Bartch, OT, St. John’s; Charlie Heck, G, North Carolina; Matt Hennessey, C, Temple; Logan Stenberg, G, Kentucky
One to watch: Lloyd Cushenberry III capped his two-year career as LSU’s starting center by earning second-team All-American honors in 2019. Cushenberry started 28 straight games to close out his college career and is one of the top interior offensive line prospects in this class. I’ll be curious to see if chatter around his discusses the possibility of moving out to guard.
TOP 10 RUNNING BACKS
- D’Andre Swift, Georgia
- Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
- J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
- Zack Moss, Utah
- Cam Akers, Florida State
- Anthony McFarland Jr., Maryland
- Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
- Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
- Lamical Perine, Florida
These running backs have met with the Bears: Darius “Jet” Anderson, TCU
One to watch: When your nickname is Jet, you better be fast. How fast? Well, we’ll find out at the Combine. But this clip should give you an idea:
While straight-line speed has its place on super-long runs, I'd love to see the 40 path shaped like an "S" at the Combine.
I think Darius Anderson would do just fine on that kind of course.
Betz Warning: Clip has music–rated PG tho, just may startle you if on speaker. pic.twitter.com/O5NW3Tyofy
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) February 1, 2020
TOP 5 PLACE KICKERS
- Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia
- Dominik Eberle, Utah State
- Tyler Bass, Georgia Southern
- JJ Molson, UCLA
- Cooper Rothe, Wyoming
TOP 5 PUNTERS
- Braden Mann, Texas A&M
- Michael Turk, Arizona State
- Joseph Charlton, South Carolina
- Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse
- Arryn Siposs, Auburn
These specialists have met with the Bears: Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia; Braden Mann, Texas A&M
One to watch: Incumbent place-kicker Eddy Piñeiro expects to face competition at some point this summer, but I wonder if the same will be said about punter Patrick O’Donnell. And while I would stop short of asking you to watch punters at the Combine on a Friday, it is worth noting the Bears have met with this draft class’ top punter.