The
Chicago Bears, like the rest of the football world are sure to be tuned into prime time television tonight. It's the evening of the College Football National Championship game in what might be one of the most highly-anticipated matchups in recent memory. For the first time in decades there will be a rematch between the two same teams.
On one side are the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide, who haven't lost a game since September of 2015. Among their victims since are the challenger Clemson Tigers. They gave the dynasty Tide all they could handle last year in a 45-40 shootout. Hopes are high that more talent and experience this time around will get them over the hump.
It really doesn't matter much who wins. For the Bears and 31 other NFL team, they'll be focused on the individual performances of the players, good or bad. It's generally agreed that this may be one of the highest talent concentrations a national championship has seen in years. So who exactly will Chicago be watching?
Here is a rundown of the names to know.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0LRJ_6ZtsY
Deshaun Watson (QB, Clemson)
The indomitable leader of the Tigers. Watson is one of the top quarterbacks in the country. A standout athlete with great speed but an underrated ability to throw. Arm strength and accuracy are both solid. His dual-threat capability led to 40 points against Alabama the last time these two teams met. Another strong performance will cement Watson as a first round pick. If Clemson wins it will mean he lost just one game in his final two years of college. His competitiveness and ability in the clutch are what people often miss the most.
Round projection: 1st-2nd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNs3w6TZnT4
Mike Williams (WR, Clemson)
Widely considered the best wide receiver in the country. Mike Williams looks like the total package. A rangy 6'3" target with the speed and quickness to gain separation but also the body strength and sticky hands to make some tough contested catches. He's that type of receiver a quarterback looks to when the team absolutely has to have a first down or a touchdown. Overcame a frightening injury last season and was their principal playmaker in the passing game as they roared down the stretch.
Round projection: 1st
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXfd9rwvwGA
Jordan Leggett (TE, Clemson)
The 2017 draft class is projected to have a wealth of tight end talent. Good thing because the Bears severely lacking at the position. Jordan Leggett is one of the names that is certain to garner heavy interest in April. He fits the profile of what NFL teams want: big, strong, tough, athletic for his size and consistent in his ability to catch. Leggett understands how to work the middle of the field and has the speed to get himself open a lot. Also should be a functional blocker as well. Just a rock solid prospect.
Round projection: 2nd-3rd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAetJsUSEnQ
Wayne Gallman (RB, Clemson)
Having
Jordan Howard means the Bears won't be looking for running back help early. That doesn't mean it's totally off the table. This class has a wealth of talent and Howard is pretty much a one-man show.
Jeremy Langford and
Ka'Deem Carey have underwhelmed as potential backups. Wayne Gallman is definitely a back who gets lost in the shuffle but is such a critical part of that Clemson offense. His game is about quickness, acceleration and agility. A slasher who can gouge defenses for big runs. Would make for an ideal rotational runner in tandem with Howard.
Round projection: 3rd
[caption id="attachment_82524" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers center Jay Guillermo (57) blocks Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
Jay Guillermo (G/C, Clemson)
Watson wouldn't be having this much success in college without quality blocking from his offensive line. One of the leaders in that mission is Jay Guillermo. His pass protection has stood out consistently ever since he became a starter and the senior has shown plenty of chops opening lanes on the ground as well. His ability to move between center and guard should only increase his value to a team. Chicago has shown a love for such types under Ryan Pace and John Fox.
Round projection: 4th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQGTF-Ku2NE
Cordrea Tankersley (CB, Clemson)
The secondary is going to be priority one and maybe even two and three. Alongside quarterback it was the biggest headache Chicago had to deal with in 2017. Finding cornerbacks who can both cover and deliver impact plays in topping the to-do list for them, so they'll be watching Cordrea Tankersley real close. The 6'1" kid has ideal size for the position and the athletic traits necessary to play man coverage on the outside. His four interceptions and 10 passes defense also show a consistent ability to get his hands on the football.
Round projection: 2nd
https://twitter.com/TopPickScouting/status/731649213663154177
Carlos Watkins (DT, Clemson)
Anybody who isn't concerned at least a little about
Eddie Goldman is kidding themselves. The nose tackle has shown he can be a game wrecker when he's on the field. That is the problem though. Thus far the young nose tackle hasn't stayed healthy. The Bears may need to think about adding depth up the middle to counter this problem. Carlos Watkins exhibits much the same style of game. Big and strong to play the run but getting better and better at pushing the pocket to create pressure. He has 8.5 sacks on the season.
Round projection: 2nd-3rd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIn3iMbyj9Y
Jonathan Allen (DE, Alabama)
There is talent everywhere on the Alabama sidelines. That's not a big surprise under Nick Saban, but most of it is concentrated in the defense. The man leading this avalanche of future prospects is Jonathan Allen. Don't be fooled by his lack of elite athleticism. This 6'3", 290 lbs behemoth will ruin games and even seasons for anybody that gets in his way. He's tough and strong at the point of attack, unwilling to move in the run game. To top it off he has 20.5 sacks over the past two season, showcasing the versatility to play on the edge or the inside.
Round projection: 1st
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=577mCLek7Xs
Marlon Humphrey (CB, Alabama)
Top cornerbacks in the NFL have to fit a certain profile. Preferably they must be taller, athletic, have speed, awareness in space and carry themselves with a certain degree of swagger. That pretty much sums up Marlon Humphrey for the Crimson Tide. At 6'1" he has the frame to match up with any receiver he plays and has shown that consistent peskiness that can frustrate offenses to no end. He does have lingering concerns in regards to his ball skills, so this game is huge for him.
Round projection: 1st
https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/status/815322397138030592
Tim Williams (OLB, Alabama)
What's better than having one potentially great young pass rusher? Two is a start. The Bears have talent in their front seven now but injuries and age remain a big concern with their edge rushers. So there is absolutely little harm in them continuing to add capable bodies. Tim Williams has looked the part for two years at Alabama. His body type, explosive first step and knack for getting the edge to drop the quarterback make him look like a true 3-4 outside linebacker. Some say he's not much of a run defender, but then again he's not asked to do it often. The primary job he is tasked to do, he's very good at.
Round projection: 1st
https://twitter.com/ChatSports/status/815311281196437504
Ryan Anderson (OLB, Alabama)
The "other" guy of the Alabama outside linebackers. While Williams gets the tag as the primary pass rusher, Ryan Anderson is no slouch in that department. His 2016 season has resulted in eight sacks of his own. Not to mention a whopping 17 tackles for loss. He's a bit undersized for the position at 6'2" but then again so is Von Miller. The point is Anderson understands how to get up the field and make the quarterback uncomfortable. To say nothing of his contributions in run defense.
Round projection: 2nd-3rd
Dalvin Tomlinson (DT, Alabama)
A big part of why the Crimson Tide defense is so hard to attack is because nobody can run the football on them. It's almost impossible with their front seven. A forgotten reason for this success is Dalvin Tomlinson. He's filled the middle of that defensive line, clogging lanes and keeping the linebackers free to make plays in the gaps. Though not a star, he plays his role very well and could even bring some limited pass rush skill to the table as well. He has three sacks on the season.
Round projection: 4th-5th
https://twitter.com/colecubelic/status/805597152089178112
Cam Robinson (OT, Alabama)
Offensive tackle is not going to be the strength of this draft class, but there are still some intriguing prospects worth watching. Cam Robinson is viewed as one of the best. Unfortunately he's a major problem. Not so much because of his talent either. Robinson is big, long, powerful and a force in the running game. He shows a strong enough kick step and decent fundamentals in pass protection. His issues have been off the field. He was arrested back in May for possession of illegal drugs and firearms. Any team taking him will have to dig deep into his background before pulling the trigger.
Round projection: 1st-2nd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SfBCKv3NeI
O.J. Howard (TE, Alabama)
This championship game could very well come down to the play of some outstanding tight ends. O.J. Howard is considered the best in the entire class. His numbers won't show it, but that's because he just isn't used often as a focal point in the scheme. Whenever he's gotten significant action though, he's made life miserable for secondaries. A basketball-type athlete with that long frame, speed to run the fast break, and strong hands to catch the lobs. Howard changes games with the way he's able to threaten down the middle. The last time he saw Clemson? He put up over 200 yards.
Round projection: 1st
