Look to Lesser Games for Bears Draft Picks

The Senior Bowl and the Combine will soon occur, but many of the top players will be long gone by the time the Bears pick in the 3rd. A good place to look for players are the minor bowls like East West Shrine game and the game in Dallas (I believe it is called Texas Versus the Nation).

The reason for this is that there will be many small school players that have flown under the radar, even with scouts, because they ARE from small schools. Nichols was one of those under-the-radar players from last year´s East West Shrine game. Here is an example of a potentially hidden gem who might be available in the 3rd round.

There were two offensive tackles on the West team that blocked well and really helped themselves. One of them was Sioux Falls' Trey Pipkins. The 6-foot-7, 307-pounder has good length and a nice build to him. He showed nice feet in the position drills while also using his size, length and strength to tie up edge rushers in the pass rushing one-on-ones. After practice, Pipkins was swarmed by team scouts, as they sought to interview him and get more information on his history. This was an excellent start to the week for Pipkins, and he could have mid-round potential in a weak offensive tackle draft class.

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A site that does a really good job covering these bowl games is Walterfootball. They usually send two people to cover and report the practices each day of each side. I do not really see much coverage of the practices from any other sites.

Before someone says, "Who cares? It is only practice", please know that for most scouts and teams, the practices are the most important part of the week because teams get to see if the players grow during the week in their understanding of what is being taught and interviews happen here also. Most scouts find the games so insignificant that they leave before the game is played.

Here are some excerpts:

The star of the West practice was Texas A&M nose tackle Daylon Mack. In the run scrimmage, Mack was exceptional. He started off by eating up a hole up the middle to stuff a run for no gain. He then fired a gap to get a tackle for a loss. In the pass rushing one-on-ones, Mack used a swim move to get the better of Pit's Alex Bookser on a few reps. He bulled through college teammate Keaton Sutherland. Mack used his power to shed a block and then got to the quarterback for a sack in the team scrimmage.

Mack would flash some special ability for years with the Aggies, but he was a rotational player because of bad work ethic and his failure to stay on top of his conditioning to take on a lot of snaps. Mack still needs to improve his conditioning, but he showed that he has a good skill set with quickness, pad level, power and a strong base. This was an excellent start to the week for the heavy nose tackle.

There were two offensive tackles on the West team that blocked well and really helped themselves. One of them was Sioux Falls' Trey Pipkins. The 6-foot-7, 307-pounder has good length and a nice build to him. He showed nice feet in the position drills while also using his size, length and strength to tie up edge rushers in the pass rushing one-on-ones. After practice, Pipkins was swarmed by team scouts, as they sought to interview him and get more information on his history. This was an excellent start to the week for Pipkins, and he could have mid-round potential in a weak offensive tackle draft class.

The other tackle that had a strong start to the week was San Diego State's Ryan Pope. Pope (6-7, 315) is put together well with size and length. He did well blocking on the edge and shows right tackle potential for the NFL. Like Pipkins, Pope had a lot of team scouts speaking with him after practice. Pope and Pipkins are on their way to improving their draft grade with this start to the week.

Texas tight end Andrew Beck is a physical blocker and has some receiving H-back ability. As a result, some evaluators like the idea of moving him to fullback. Beck (6-3, 255) could be a big lead blocker and a receiving threat out of the backfield. Beck looks like a natural football player on the field.

Typically, the quarterback play at the East-West Shrine is underwhelming, and that was the case for a lot of the practices on Monday. One quarterback who really struggled was Fresno State's Marcus McMaryion. In speaking with some scouts, they did not like what they saw from McMaryion and thought his skill set could have issues translating to the NFL. He is going to need to practice a lot better on Tuesday and Wednesday to start changing some minds.

Rice punter Jack Fox really boomed the ball well in the special teams portion. He showed good hang time, distance and placement. A number of evaluators liked what they saw out of Fox on Monday.

Sources say that Oregon tight end Kano Dillon has really turned off evaluators with his attitude. Dillon needs a personality make over in the interviews over the next few nights to help compensate for some teams being very down on bringing him into their locker rooms.

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Georgia wide receiver Terry Godwin was the most impressive wide receiver of the East squad on Monday. He ate up the cornerbacks in the one-on-ones, showing the speed to get separation with quality route-running. In the team period, he had a chunk gain on a slant working the middle of the field and getting open quickly at the second level of the secondary. Godwin is off to a fast start and he could really help himself this week after going under the radar at Georgia. In the NFL, he could be a good fit as a slot receiver and has the speed to be a scoring threat lining up on the outside. In some ways, Godwin reminds me of how John Brown looked at the East-West Shrine a few years ago.

One of the most impressive players in the offensive vs defensive line one-on-ones was Elon tackle Olisaemeka Udoh. He really impressed with his strong anchor, upper body strength and heavy hands. His heavy hands made it very tough for defensive linemen to shed his blocks. Udoh had his way with Tennessee defensive lineman Kyle Lawrence Phillips, pushing him around and locking him up with heavy hands. The 6-foot-5, 336-pound Udoh has good size for tackle or guard in the NFL. He will need to work on his feet and improve his ability to handle speed rushers, but he has the potential to be a pro offensive lineman with a NFL build. While he has played tackle, I think Udoh would be better off moving inside to guard. Udoh is off to a good start with a strong opening practice on Monday.

Kentucky guard Bunchy Stallings struggled on Monday. He had issues with speed getting upfield and was unable to stop rushers when they would finish him off with a spin or rip move. Bull rushes also got the better of him, as Stallings was rolled into the quarterback marker. Stallings had a quality career at Kentucky but he will need to play better in the practices to come.

Maryland linebacker Tre Watson had a good practice on Monday. He did well in the team scrimmage portion, filling run lanes and being physical at the point of attack. Watson led the Big 10 in tackles last year and his prowess as a run defender is obvious. He is quick to read his keys and get in position to make stops near the line of scrimmage. If Watson shows well in pass coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday, his stock could really rise as a potential three-down starter. Watson is a mid-round sleeper who could be a really nice value pick.

Virginia running back Jordan Ellis ran well in the team period. He was a slashing back who ripped off yards in chunks. Ellis is a quick runner with a low center of gravity, good balance and cutting ability. He runs smaller than his listed measurements (5-10, 225) and thrives when he gets into space. Ellis showed good reaction skills on a receiving route in the flat. A pass was not intended for him, but it got tipped in the air and he wisely chased it down to smack it into the ground with defenders close to getting an interception. Many running back prospects have really helped themselves at the East-West Shrine, and Ellis is off to a good start.

Oklahoma State defensive end Jordan Brailford also had a strong debut. He showed some quickness and athleticism on the edge. Brailford is not the biggest of edge defenders, so he would be better off going to a 3-4 team to give him some five-technique protection. Brailford has some pass-rushing skills to him and he could be a mid-rounder with a couple of more strong practices.

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What are some sites that you use to get a glimpse of potential Bears and who are under-the-radar players that you want the Bears to draft?

These are some players to watch during the East West Shrine Game per NFL.comPaul Adams, OT, Missouri: An underrated lineman despite playing in the SEC, Adams projects as a starting right tackle at the next level. He possesses the requisite toughness and size to handle NFL defenders, and he can move well enough to be effective as a zone blocker. Even if Adams does not get selected until Saturday of draft weekend, he'll play early.

Jordan Brailford, DE/LB, Oklahoma State: Though he was a junior in terms of eligibility when he left OSU, Brailford was a fifth-year player due to two redshirt seasons. He played all over the field for the Cowboys in 2018, lining up at both ends and all three linebacker positions. Brailford's best spot is as a pass rusher, which is always in short supply come the second or third round of the draft. A strong week using his length and consistent motor to attack quarterbacks off the edge in St. Pete will cement his stock as a worthy second-tier prospect.

Blace Brown, CB, Troy: Despite suffering a knee injury in the final regular-season contest of the 2017 season, Brown played in every game as a senior. He has a chance to show he's fully back from the injury during Shrine Game practices, and that his ball skills (12 career interceptions, including one that sealed Troy's upset win over LSU two seasons ago) and physicality are worthy of a mid-round selection.

Jordan Ellis, RB, Virginia: Rookie running backs can make an impact in the right situation. Ellis might not be a big name nationally, but he will hit the line in a hurry and power through tacklers to get important yards. He's also a willing blocker who can pick up oncoming blitzers, which means he could see the field on second and third downs more often than a typical rookie.

Justin Hollins, LB, Oregon: Long and lean at 6-foot-5, Hollins looks the part of a Sam linebacker. While not elite in his pass-rush ability, he will get after the quarterback with a secondary rush. He also sets the edge effectively in the run game and is able to shed to wrap up ball carriers coming into his area. Proving to scouts he possesses the agility to handle coverage responsibilities will earn him the respect he deserves.

Michael Jackson Sr., CB, Miami (FL): Entering the 2018 college season, Jackson was expected to be among the top senior corners in the country. It's a bit of a surprise that he's at the Shrine Game, as he has the size and length (6-1, 205 pounds) to be an effective press corner at the next level. If Jackson shows better foot quickness and ball skills than expected this week (and if he excels at the NFL Scouting Combine), he could compete for a top-80 selection.

Donnie Lewis Jr., CB, Tulane: Lewis is a tough-minded corner who, while lacking great size, is not afraid to mix it up with any receiver. Opposing quarterbacks who looked his way at the start of a play often had to go to their second option because Lewis was in his man's pocket.

Delvon Randall, S, Temple: Opposing offenses had to account for Randall on every play over the past three seasons. He was a physical player against the run, pounded ball carriers in coverage, wrapped up guys in space and posted 12 interceptions -- including a spectacular one-handed grab against South Florida in November.

Matt Sokol, TE, Michigan State: Pay no attention to Sokol's receiving statistics in 2018 (eight receptions, 100 yards, one score). While not as dynamic an athlete as former Iowa Hawkeye and current San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle, Sokol is similar in that he has more receiving talent than his college production indicates. Sokol also has experience as a blocker in a pro-style system and can be a reliable move-the-chains pass catcher as a rookie.

Armon Watts, DT, Arkansas: Watts' best football is ahead of him. He did not contribute heavily with the Razorbacks until his senior season, but NFL scouts already see an athletic lineman able to wreak havoc anywhere between the tackles. Teams will be intrigued by the bend and agility he shows during Shrine Game practices, and coaches will find a way to get him on the field in sub packages as a rookie.

JoJoBoxer said:

What are some sites that you use to get a glimpse of potential Bears and who are under-the-radar players that you want the Bears to draft?

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http://goashlandeagles.com/sports/fball/2018-19/schedule

Rory Sparrow said:

http://goashlandeagles.com/sports/fball/2018-19/schedule

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Besides Shaheen, who are you looking for on the Ashland team?

JoJoBoxer said:

Besides Shaheen, who are you looking for on the Ashland team?

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kicker, BPA

I would like to put a spotlight on a draft prospect from a big school that is being hurt by the poor performance of his school..

Iman Marshall
USC
CB
6-1
200

This kid is legit, he was the only good thing about the USC defense last year. He was a 5-Star kid coming out. Not the best in press coverage, but he is a athlete. Best when can get into a back pedal and diagnose a route and make a play. Looking like 3-5 round currently. This would be a great pickup for our secondary.

I think Pagano is still coaching the NFLPA bowl this saturday. If so that gives us a big advantage in scouting some of those lesser known players, which is where we pick anyways.

Many Senior Bowl prospects go in the mid-late rounds. A lot of the top prospects skip these things, which gives lesser known guys a time to shine...

Visionman said:

Many Senior Bowl prospects go in the mid-late rounds. A lot of the top prospects skip these things, which gives lesser known guys a time to shine...

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Ok, but the first stab at possible Bears picks comes at the East West Shrine game.

The Bears showed interest in Lamont Gaillard

East Team Interview

Chicago Bears - Georgia center Lamont Gaillard
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/eastwest2019interviews3.php#SRPLC68SqsdHwHjw.99

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Here is a report on his play on Tuesday:

Georgia center Lamont Gaillard had a quality practice on Tuesday. He showed some nice technique to tangle up defensive tackles and held his ground on some bull rushes. Gaillard has some size limitations for the NFL, so he may not be able to play an offensive line position other than center.

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JoJoBoxer said:

The Bears showed interest in Lamont Gaillard

East Team Interview


Here is a report on his play on Tuesday:

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Interesting...wonder if Trubs approves?

Visionman said:

Interesting...wonder if Trubs approves?

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It is interesting.

It could mean that Whitehair as starting center is not set in stone. It could mean that Long is gone and Whitehair takes his spot.

I always like these games for linemen. Good line players on either side of the ball can be found in small schools more routinely than other positions.

I'm all for just drafting linemen this year.