NEWSLETTER
While many are spending their Friday putting off work activities to watch March Madness, the Chicago Bears are rolling deep at Michigan’s Pro Day.
Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy lists the NFL attendees in Ann Arbor on the University of Michigan campus checking out the pro day festivities. And this is who the Bears have representing their franchise on campus:
That is quite the contingent of Chicago representatives in Michigan today. And it makes me wonder who they’re keeping tabs on in Ann Arbor. Allow me to speculate…
Possible Michigan Pro Day prospect fits for the Chicago Bears
To be clear, it should come as no surprise that Michigan’s Pro Day is so well attended. The Wolverines are coming off a national championship-winning season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter points out that UM sent 18 draft-eligible prospects to last month’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Suffice it to say that Michigan has a bunch of pro-caliber talent to pick from on NFL Draft weekend.
With that in mind, are five players who makes sense for the Bears to be scouting with a watchful eye…
Roman Wilson, wide receiver
NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah describes Wilson as “a compact, muscled-up wideout with elite burst and explosiveness” with “strong, reliable hands” and immediately led me to want to know more about the Michigan prospect. Wilson put up 41 catches and 662 receiving yards, which won’t pop off the page. But he scored 11 touchdowns, which definitely does. Last year, Wilson averaged 16.1 yards per reception. Two years ago, that number was 16.8. Those numbers suggest to me that Wilson has splash play potential. Even with the addition of Keenan Allen, the Bears could use more of that out of their receivers in 2024 (and beyond).
Zak Zinter, offensive lineman
Zinter won’t participate in pro day activities (h/t Matt Miller) as he continues recovering from a brutal leg injury that went down during the Ohio State game. Nevertheless, Zinter is one of the more decorated offensive line prospects in this draft class. A guard by trade, Zinter was a unanimous All-American in 2023 and earned All-Big Ten honors in each of his last three seasons. The last two years saw Zinter get the first-team all-conference nods after sagging second-team honors in 2021. Even with a gnarly injury in his background, the Bears would be wise to chop it up with Zinter as they continue building out their offensive line.
Kris Jenkins Jr., defensive tackle
Kris Jenkins’ father had a tremendous NFL career. A 10-year pro who had stints with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets, the elder Jenkins was a four-tine Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro defensive tackle. That is a lot to live up to for the younger Jenkins, who put together quite the résumé while at Michigan. Kris Jenkins Jr. was a second-team All-American and second-team All-Big Ten performer in 2023. This draft profile by Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings suggests Jenkins has versatility to play as a 3-technique and 5-technique defensive tackle. As the Bears continue their search to fill that 3-tech DT hole, perhaps they should check in with this Michigan standout.
J.J. McCarthy, quarterback
Yes, I’ve seen the suggestions from folks who think the Bears should trade down from No. 1, add draft capital, and use a pick (at some point) to draft Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. But I don’t think that is a reasonable plan. Frankly, I think people have become way-too-obssessed with hoarding draft picks that it’s become a personality trait for some. Even still … it would be smart of the Bears to do some deep diving on McCarthy (and all the top QB prospects). Heck, Chicago’s contingent should get to know McCarthy intimately and use their meetings against him in case the Bears end up playing him twice a year as a member of the Vikings.
AROUND THE NFL: Vikings to Meet With J.J. McCarthy
Surely, there are other prospects the Bears will be taking notes on while in Ann Arbor. But the collection of four players above make the most sense as possible fits in Chicago. However, I’m sure others will flash and pop up. And I look forward to seeing who they end up being.
