Chicago Bears: Senior Bowl Players They Must Target

Jan 22, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad wide receiver Tyler Lockett of Kansas State (22) pulls in a pass during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Senior Bowl is often a hot bed of NFL talent, which means the Chicago Bears must look to it for some answers. Here are some names they should eye.

Defensive Line

Carl Davis (DT, Iowa)

The big defensive tackle looks like a nose tackle with his massive body but is explosive and quick on top of it, allowing him to burst into the backfield to either blow up runs or harass the quarterback.

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Danny Shelton (DT, Washington)

Another nose tackle with a unique combination of size and agility. Danny Shelton is a big boy (343 lbs) but he moves around as if he were under 300. He’s quite adept at collapsing the pocket and getting to the passer.

Linebacker

Nate Orchard (Utah)

He proved it all year at Utah and he proved it at the Senior Bowl. Nate Orchard is the prototypical edge rusher. He can beat blockers a variety of ways, has good discipline and never takes a play off. Always around the ball.

Stephone Anthony (Clemson)

Overlooked often in school, Stephone Anthony has begun to emerge as an athletic playmaker at inside linebacker. He has good size, athleticism, better-than-advertised range and decent instinct.

Secondary

Ladarius Gunter (CB, Miami Fl.)

A classic Miami athlete who brings plenty of speed to his position. What sets Ladarius Gunter apart is his 6’1″ frame and fluidity that allows him to stay glued to wide receivers wherever they go. A perfect 3-4 corner.

Josh Shaw (CB, USC)

Built in the same fashion as Gunter. Josh Shaw is a long corner with good speed to play press coverage. Had some off-the-field issues but is reportedly highly intelligent and was a top prospect at the start of 2014.

Wide Receiver

Tyler Lockett (Kansas State)

Few things make a receiver more deadly in the NFL than speed and route running discipline. Tyler Lockett has both. Though only 5’11”, he is a nightmare to cover and adds to it all with great hands and concentration when making the catch.

Phillip Dorsett (Miami Fl.)

Another shorter receiver but perhaps the faster player in the entire 2015 draft class. An instant threat to score every time he touches the football. Also brings experience as a return man on special teams.

Offensive Line

Arie Kouandjio (OG, Alabama)

Alabama is typically a hot bed for offensive linemen and Arie Kouandjio is the latest in that line. Projected as a guard, he has tremendous size and power but what really stands out is his length (35 inch arms). If he can learn to use that, he could be dominant at the pro level.

Donovan Smith (OT, Penn State)

Everything that was cited being wrong with Donovan Smith (hand technique, pad level, and inconsistent punch) are all correctable. He has the size, power and foot quickness all tackles need to succeed at the pro level and at the Senior Bowl he proved how dominant he could be.

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