Making magic on Day 3 of the NFL draft is one of the most difficult jobs for an NFL GM. Ryan Pace is among the few who have consistently found success in that area for the Chicago Bears. Adrian Amos, Jordan Howard, Eddie Jackson, Tarik Cohen, and Bilal Nichols were all unearthed during that window since 2015.
This would seem to indicate that the team has a strong scouting staff who know what to look for in good football players. That talent will be put to the ultimate test in 2019. The Bears have no 1st or 2nd round selections. They have just five overall with a 3rd, 4th, 5th, and two 7ths.
This puts enormous pressure on Pace and his staff to work some of that same magic again. Can they though. According to one source, it seems they are certainly on the right path.
NFL scouts pick their future draft gems and Ryan Pace has met several
Damond Talbot of NFL Draft Diamonds has strong connections to the draft community. He's well-respected among the lesser known college players which have often put him into contact with various NFL scouts. He got in touch with seven of them to ask their opinions on all things draft.
His 18th and final question was easily the most pertinent regarding the Bears. Give one late round player who is going to have the best shot making a Pro Bowl? Each scout had a different answer, and upon evaluating the list it became clear that the Bears have met with three of them over the past two months.
"Scout 1 said Stanford RB Bryce Love
Scout 2 said Notre Dame WR Miles Boykin
Scout 3 said Eastern Michigan DE Maxx Crosby
Scout 4 said Ole Miss CB Ken Webster
Scout 5 said Toledo WR Diontae Johnson
Scout 6 said Missouri TE Kendall Blanton
Scout 7 said Stanford OL Jesse Burkett"
The key to scoring hits late in the draft is taking calculated risks on players with considerable talent. Love, Boykin, and Crosby all fit that model perfectly. Love was a star at Stanford in 2017, posting over 2,000 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Sadly he tore his ACL last season. That along with his somewhat small size and it's no shock he might go late.
The Bears met with him at the scouting combine.
Boykin is a bit of an unknown. He was a one-year hit at Notre Dame with 872 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. He's not polished as a receiver but his 6'4 size combined with standout athletic traits make him a fascinating prospect in terms of his upside for the NFL. Chicago had a private meeting with him.
Crosby? He's been a productive pass rusher at Eastern Michigan with 18.5 sacks and 35.5 tackles for a loss in the past two years. He's a big kid. Built like a defensive end but moves pretty well for his size. The knock on him is his lack of true strength and basic pass rush approach.
Both things that can be fixed with some work. The Bears took time with him at the combine as well.
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