The NFL world revolved around Indianapolis this past five days as the annual Scouting Combine was held at Lucas Oil Arena.
While NFL teams got looks at draft prospects doing drills, the combine also allows teams to meet with players and even agents of current players. Each team gets a select number of meetings with the future rookies, so when you hear of players meeting with teams, it’s a pretty big deal.
The Chicago Bears have many needs on both sides of the ball as they attempt to address them during free agency and through the draft. While in Indianapolis, the front office and scouts met with XX players getting a feel for them before potentially drafting them.
Here is a full list of players the Bears met with in Indianapolis:
Christian Hackenberg
The former Penn State quarterback is an interesting one to watch come draft day. As a freshman, it looked as if Hackenberg was destined to become the No. 1 overall pick. But as the years went bay, his value seemed to decrease.
At the combine, Hackenberg didn’t help his cause. If he’s there when the Bears pick in the fourth or fifth round, they could be tempted to take him.
"What you're seeing on the field is what you see on tape." — @MovetheSticks on Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg's inaccuracy issues.
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) February 27, 2016
Kevin Hogan
Hogan was great at Stanford, playing in a Pro-style offense and replacing Andrew Luck. He’s also an interesting option in the middle rounds for a team looking for a future quarterback.
Jacoby Brissett
Brissett is a candidate for a third day flier in the sixth or seventh rounds if the Bears choose to do that. The former Florida quarterback transferred to North Carolina State and played better, however there are still holes in his game.
Cody Kessler
Kessler didn’t have a terrible combine showing but he still doesn’t look like an NFL-ready quarterback. The best case scenario is another camp body and him fighting for a roster spot.
Brandon Allen
Allen played in a run-heavy SEC offense at Arkansas so he really had to have a great combine to improve his stock. The former Razorbacks quarterback projects to be a seventh round pick.
Ezekiel Elliott
With the departure of running back Matt Forte, the Bears could be looking to replace him through the draft. The Bears have too many defensive holes at No. 11 to draft Elliott but if he’s there, which he should be, don’t be completely shocked if Pace pulls the trigger.
Ezekiel Elliot Second Run #4.48 pic.twitter.com/GGRHdW1nW4
— DMV Fanatic 🏈 🥊 🎞 (@DMVFanatic1) February 26, 2016
Paul Perkins
The shifty back out of UCLA is an interesting option for the Bears on the second day of the draft. Perkins led the Pac-12 in rushing in 2014 and could be a nice spell back. He met with running backs coach Stan Drayton at the combine.
Dan Vitale
The Bears also spoke with local talent Dan Vitate who planed his college football at Northwestern. Vitale is projected as a sixth or seventh round pick in the draft.
Hunter Henry
TE Gauntlet Drill Hand Times:
Hunter Henry- 7.38
Temarrick Hemingway- 7.47
Beau Sandland- 7.53
Bryce Williams- 7.60
Austin Hooper- 7.62— Shawn Spencer (@Spencer_NFL) February 27, 2016
Another potential pick on offense could come in the form of tight end for the Bears. With Zach Miller testing free agency and Martellus Bennett’s future in doubt, the Bears could turn to this year’s draft. They met with Hunter Henry, regarded as the best tight end in the draft, earlier in the week.
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