The 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl has come and gone, and this year’s event was arguably more important than any other Senior Bowl in recent memory.
Without the face-to-face Scouting Combine to show the skills of a player, the Senior Bowl is the only great opportunity for many players to provide a fair and unbiased view of what they offer as draft candidates (and no, Pro Days do not meet this criteria. )
This year’s game was fun, and the training week that culminated it also served as a launching pad for many intriguing players.
Although the extent to which they sent personnel to Mobile is currently unknown, the Bears’ organization was present at the Senior Bowl. Such a development is far from surprising, given that an invitation to the game is essentially a guarantee that the player is worthy of a draft choice, or at least the appearance of a priority free agent.
When analyzing which Senior Bowl prospects the Bears might consider, it is necessary to keep in mind the position of each player and their potential draft stock. A player projected as a choice at the start of the first round would probably be out of Chicago’s reach, and a player, say, edge rusher would also not be a likely target for them at the start of the draft.
So, with those things in mind, here are some Senior Bowl players who could be potential targets for the Bears in the NFL’s 2021 Draft.
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Like it or not, Mac Jones is a realistic option for the Bears in the first round.
There is a lot in the air around not just the Bears quarterback position, but the quarterback carousel around the NFL this off season. If they enter the draft without a clear initiator in place, they can seek to acquire a flag early, and Jones would probably be the best option they could have while remaining in 20th place or moving up a bit.
Jones looked very good in the Senior Bowl. After a slow start to the first day, the national champion managed to gain strength in the remaining two training sessions. He seemed accurate in almost every area of the field and was able to take accurate and quick readings in game situations. He also excelled in maneuvering his pocket under pressure, demonstrating ideal footwork and the awareness necessary to avoid aspiring bag artists.
His arm strength was decent and his overall athleticism was fine, but he did not prove or disprove anything that appeared on the tape. He was consistent and reliable, although nothing spectacular, and looked like a good NFL quarterback. For his 2020 tape and the enhancement of a strong showing in the Senior Bowl, Jones looks like a first-round character that can be highly sought after in the Bears’ organization this off-season.
Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota
With the Bears’ stark need for an offensive tackle, they would be smart to target one of the potential players who participated in the Senior Bowl – more specifically, Dillon Radunz.
Radunz played only one match in 2020 due to FCS moving his season into the spring, so a big question was whether he would rest. Fortunately for him, that was not the case. He consistently dominated one-on-one training. His feet were fast, his body was powerful, his cushions were low and his strokes were accurate. This was taken to the team games, and the team games to the game itself. On an afternoon that saw several offensive tackles fight for passing protection, Radunz was a trusted accessory in the left tackle.
Considering how strong his tape is, as well as his performance in the week of the Senior Bowl, it wouldn’t be surprising if Radunz went before the selection of Bears’ Round 2, even with his small school status. If he falls, though, it will be a welcome addition to their offensive line.
Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
After a disappointing 3 year, Anthony Miller may be out in the near future, leaving the Bears with a potential hole in the slot receiver’s position in the future.
Amari Rodgers had a year of prominence for Clemson as the best receiver with the departure of Tee Higgins and the injury of Justyn Ross. He took that momentum to the Senior Bowl, where he was consistently one of the best recipients throughout the week. He was explosive on the snap, crisp out of his intervals and more polished in his releases than some of his tapes took. As soon as the game arrived, he was able to fulfill a solid role for the American team, taking four passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. He was one of the most dynamic athletes on Mobile this week and enters the rest of the pre-draft process with a warm hand.
As the Chiefs have shown, there is not too much speed at the wide receiver’s position. It is true that they also have the best NFL defender Patrick Mahomes, but the point is that just because you have a fast receiver, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t choose another one. Rodgers in the slot and Mooney as the field side receiver would be an extremely explosive pair, hopefully accompanied by Allen Robinson in the long run on the border.
Quinn Meinerz, OG / C, Wisconsin-Whitewater
If you’ve followed the Senior Bowl in any capacity, there’s an extremely small chance that you haven’t heard of Quinn Meinerz.
As was the case with Radunz, Meinerz did not play a 2020 season with Division III moving his season into the spring, but he showed little or no rust throughout the week. He was totally dominant on an instant basis. Whether it be holding the defenders at the point of attack one on one or throwing them on the ground in team clashes, the Wisconsin-Whitewater highlight has physically overwhelmed the opposition with low pads, a strong anchor, powerful hands, an unpleasant tip, and an exposed intestine. Even after breaking a bone in his hand on Day 3, he fought for the rest of the training and struggled to play on Saturday, although his coaches ended up denying him the opportunity.
Perhaps even more intriguing for the Bears is Meinerz’s versatility. As he proved in training at the Senior Bowl, he is able not only to play guard, but also in the center. While the Bears seek to determine where they want to place Cody Whitehair and James Daniels along their offensive line, having another in-house striker who can play anywhere can help maximize their two veterans.
James Hudson III, OT, Cincinnati
While the Bears are likely to retain one of Charles Leno Jr. or Bobby Massie in 2021 – presumably the first – there is a strong possibility that both may have left in the 2022 season. In that case, they may look to double the blocks this year if the value is right.
James Hudson III entered Senior Bowl week as an intriguing commodity. His physical gifts were apparent, but his technique was still a work in progress. As a former Michigan defensive striker, Hudson is still quite raw, but his pure talent was on display at Mobile. He seemed agile in training, showing above average lateral speed and burst to neutralize off-the-edge speed throws. He was also able to take down defenders at the point of attack, using his powerful control to grab opponents and stop them. With regard to the offensive tackles of the Senior Bowl, few increased their actions more than Hudson this week.
With a two-tackle approach in the 2021 draft, the Bears can secure a holder for Day 1 in a tackle position and a player who could become a holder in a year or more. Hudson would give them a high-profile player who could serve as a valuable resource in the future.
Richie Grant, S, UCF
With new defensive coordinator Sean Desai prone to using more high-two projectiles on the roof, the Bears need two safety devices that they can cover well. Very few, if any, security guards at the Senior Bowl were as effective at coverage as Richie Grant.
Leaving with two interceptions on Day 3 of training, Grant was able to end his week on Mobile with a bang. He looked fantastic all week, as his fluidity in the coverage stood out every time he entered the field. His ability to change direction made him a far-reaching threat, and he was able to read the defender’s eyes and jump on routes to make plays with the ball. Grant was also effective in one-on-one workouts, being physical with the receivers through his rods and also using his athletics to hang with several wide receivers on the men’s cover, something that few security guards were able to do throughout the week.
Grant solidified this week that he is what his ribbon exhibited: a ball-hunting safety with above-average athletics with the fluidity and instincts needed to be a reliable starter at the next level. The Bears have greater needs in attack, but pairing Grant with Eddie Jackson would give them a slim, athletic security tandem in the rear.