Chicago Bears Reportedly Keeping A "Keen Eye" On Rising Draft Prospect

GM Ryan Poles has a track record of doing the unexpected. The 1st round of the draft isn't immune to that. In 2023, nobody expected the Chicago Bears to take Tennessee right tackle Darnell Wright with the 10th overall pick. Clearly, Poles wasn't afraid to go against expectations if he felt the player was worth it. Wright has since developed into a quality starter for the team. Now, the Bears once again hold the 10th pick. Some have started to wonder if Poles has another surprise in store.

The arrival of Ben Johnson as the new head coach offers an additional wrinkle to this situation. He may have designs on certain types of players that could shake up the team's draft board. Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado is one of the most plugged-in insiders out there. He dropped a mini bombshell on Saturday when he revealed the Bears have significant interest in Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson.

The Chicago Bears' interest in Henderson isn't hard to understand.

Remember that Johnson made his name over the past two seasons by turning former 1st round pick Jahmyr Gibbs into a star with the Detroit Lions. The running back was known best for his explosive speed and agility. His threat as a pass catcher made him a mismatch in all kinds of situations. That is what Henderson is. He was lethal for Ohio State this past season, averaging 7.1 yards per carry and catching 27 passes. If that weren't enough, he has an edge over Gibbs by being an outstanding pass protector.

One must not forget Detroit took Gibbs 12th overall in 2023. It should sound crazy to think the Chicago Bears would consider Henderson at #10, especially in a draft that is widely considered weak at the top. There is a strong possibility they could trade down and still get him later in the 1st round. That said, people might want to take this development seriously. No running back in this class screams Ben Johnson more than Henderson. This is one to watch, depending on how the first nine picks unfold.