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Reese’s 2021 Senior Bowl has come and gone, and this year’s event was arguably bigger than any Senior Bowl in recent memory.
Without In-Person Scouting Combine coaching to showcase a player’s skills, the Senior Bowl is the only major opportunity for many players to provide a fair and unbiased look at what they offer as prospects (and not , Pro Days do not fall under these criteria).
This year’s game was entertaining and the week of practice leading up to it also served as a launching pad for several intriguing players.
While the extent to which they dispatched staff to Mobile is currently unknown, the Bears’ organization was present at the Senior Bowl. Such a development is far from surprising, as an invite to play is essentially a guarantee that the player is worthy of a draft pick, or at the very least a priority undrafted free agent look.
When breaking down the Senior Bowl prospects the Bears might be considering, one needs to keep in mind each player’s position and their draft potential. A player projected as a first-round first pick would likely be out of reach for Chicago, and a player, say, Edge Rusher wouldn’t be a likely target for them early in the draft either.
So, with those things in mind, here are a few Senior Bowl players who could be potential targets for the Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Like it or not, Mac Jones is a realistic option for the Bears in the first round.
There’s a lot in the air around not only the Bears’ quarterback position, but the quarterback carousel around the NFL this offseason. If they enter the draft without a clear starter in place, they could be looking to acquire a signal-calling early, and Jones would probably be the best option they could get while staying at No.20 or increasing slightly.
Jones looked really good at the Senior Bowl. After a slow start to the first day, the national champion was able to pick up speed in the two remaining training sessions. He looked at just about every area of the pitch with precision, and he was able to make crisp, quick readings in game situations. He also excelled in pocket maneuver under pressure, showcasing play. of ideal legs and the conscience necessary to avoid potential performers.
His arm strength was decent and his overall athleticism was just okay, but he neither proved nor disproved anything that appeared on the tape. He was consistent and reliable, though unspectacular, and he looked like a competent NFL quarterback. For his 2020 strip and improving a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, Jones appears to be a first-round lock that could be in high demand within the Bears’ organization this offseason.
Dillon Radunz, OT, State of North Dakota
With the Bears’ crying need for an offensive tackle, they’d be smart to target one of the early-round prospects who competed in the Senior Bowl, specifically, Dillon Radunz.
Radunz only played one game in 2020 due to the FCS moving the season to the spring, so the big question was whether he was going to rest. Fortunately for him, that didn’t turn out to be the case. He dominated the individual exercises consistently. His feet were fast, his body was powerful, his pads were low, and his strikes were precise. This resulted in team scrums, and those team scrums were built into the game itself. In an afternoon that saw many offensive tackles struggling for pass protection, Radunz was a reliable player on the left tackle.
Considering the strength of his gang, as well as his senior bowl performance of the week, it wouldn’t be surprising if Radunz came ahead of the Bears’ second round selection, even with his small school status. If he falls, however, he would be a welcome addition to their offensive line.
Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
After a disappointing 3 year, Anthony Miller could be in retreat in the near future, leaving the Bears with a potential hole at the slot machine’s receiver position down the line.
Amari Rodgers had a breakout year for Clemson as the top receiver with the departure of Tee Higgins and the injury of Justyn Ross. He carried that momentum into the Senior Bowl, where he was always one of the top receivers of the week. He was explosive from the start, sharp when he came out of his breaks, and more polite in his outings than some of his bands did. Once the game was over, he was able to play a solid role for the American team, catching four passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. He was one of Mobile’s most dynamic athletes this week, and he walks into the rest of the pre-draft process with a warm hand.
As the Chiefs have shown, there isn’t too much speed in the wide receiver position. Granted, they also have the best NFL quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, but the point is, just because you have one fast catcher doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be drafting another. Rodgers in the slot and Mooney as the receiver on the field would be an extremely explosive duo, hopefully flanked by long-term Allen Robinson on the border.
Quinn Meinerz, OG / C, Wisconsin-Whitewater
If you’ve been following the Senior Bowl in any capacity, chances are you haven’t heard of Quinn Meinerz.
As was the case for Radunz, Meinerz did not play a 2020 season with Division III moving its season to spring, but he showed little to no rust over the week. He was quite dominant on an instant basis. Whether defenders at the one-on-one point of attack or leading them through dirt in tag team scrums, the Wisconsin-Whitewater star physically overwhelmed the opposition with low pads, a strong anchor, mighty hands, a wicked edge. , and an exposed intestine. Even after breaking a bone in his hand on Day 3, he struggled for the rest of practice and pushed to play on Saturday, although his coaches ended up denying him the opportunity.
Perhaps Meinerz’s versatility would be even more intriguing for the Bears. As he has proven in the Senior Bowl drills, he is capable of not only playing guard, but also center. As the Bears work to determine where they want to place Cody Whitehair and James Daniels along their offensive line, having another inside lineman who can play anywhere could help maximize their two veterans.
James Hudson III, occupational therapist, Cincinnati
While the Bears will likely keep one of Charles Leno Jr. or Bobby Massie in 2021 – presumably the first – there’s a good chance they’ll both be gone by the 2022 season. In which case, they could look to double the number of tackles this year if the value is correct.
James Hudson III entered Senior Bowl week as an intriguing product. His physical gifts were evident, but his technique was still a work in progress. As a former Michigan defensive lineman, Hudson is still pretty raw, but his sheer talent was on full display in Mobile. He looked nimble in the drills, showing above average side speed and gusts to neutralize the speed rushing over the edge. He was also able to stop defenders at the point of attack, using his powerful grip to grab hold of the opponent and stop them in their tracks. When it comes to Senior Bowl offensive tackles, few have increased their stock more than Hudson this week.
With a two-tackle approach in the 2021 Draft, the Bears can get a Day 1 starter to a tackle position and a player who could potentially become a starter within a year or so. Hudson would give them a top player who could serve as a valuable asset down the line.
Richie Grant, S, UCF
With new defensive coordinator Sean Desai likely to use more double-height shells in cover, the Bears need two safeties that can cover well. Very few secures, if any, at the Senior Bowl were as effective as Richie Grant.
Coming back with two interceptions on day 3 of practice, Grant was able to end his week at Mobile in style. He looked fantastic all week, as his fluidity in coverage stood out every time he stepped onto the pitch. His ability to change direction made him a distant threat from high up, and he was able to read the quarterback’s eyes and make road jumps to make plays on the ball. Grant was also effective in the one-on-one exercise, being physical with receivers through their rods and also using his athleticism to hang on with many wide receivers in a man’s blanket, which few safeties were able to do during of the week.
Grant confirmed this week that he is what his gang presented: a ball hawking security with above average athleticism with the fluidity and instinct to be a reliable starter to the next level. The Bears have greater offensive needs, but pairing Grant with Eddie Jackson would give them a slim, athletic safety tandem in the back.
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