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Chicago Bears: RB sounds confident team may draft him

By Erik Lambert

BOCA RATON, FL - OCTOBER 26: Devin Singletary #5 of the Florida Atlantic Owls runs with the ball against Darryl Lewis #38 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the second half at FAU Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL - OCTOBER 26: Devin Singletary #5 of the Florida Atlantic Owls runs with the ball against Darryl Lewis #38 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the second half at FAU Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Almost everybody knows one thing about the Chicago Bears going into this 2019 NFL draft. They’re going to select a running back.

It’s a matter of who that is and when it will be. They don’t pick until the 3rd round. So they may not be getting the best options on the board when they finally go on the clock. Having traded Jordan Howard, head coach Matt Nagy is intent on building a backfield of his own choosing. One with more flexibility and speed that can be a greater factor in the passing game.

That is why they signed Mike Davis as a free agent, but it’s hard to imagine they’re comfortable rolling with him and Tarik Cohen alone. They likely want a third option to give them as many options as possible. That is why they’ve reportedly met with no less than 15 running backs since the pre-draft process began back in February.

They’re leaving nothing to chance. Looking at the names involved, there are quite a few who seem to fit what the Bears like to do. However, one of them came out recently and stated he feels his connection to them is strong than anybody else’s.

Devin Singletary feels the Bears like his game a lot, and with good reason

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The Bears being interested in a player with the last name Singletary shouldn’t be a big surprise. Jokes aside, Devin Singletary is one of the most fascinating prospects in the entire draft class. Despite being shorter than average at 5’9, the Florida Atlantic alum was a stats machine during his three years as a starter. He racked up 4,287 yards rushing and 66 touchdowns. Both are the best of any back in this draft.

History does show that backs who were productive in college tend to be the same in the NFL provided they land in the right situation. Chicago has an offensive line that is returning all five starters from last year with a quarterback who has a mobility of his own. Not to mention one of the better offensive play callers in Nagy himself.

Singletary isn’t viewed as a featured back by most draft analysts but might be one of the best committee backs there is. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com explained.

"“Undersized, three-down back with rare improvisational skill and toughness through contact to squeeze every yard he can from each carry. Singletary was asked to catch it less in 2018, but he’s a tough cover out of the backfield and has the dog in him to step up and deliver a lick in blitz pickup. He ran poorly and did not test well in short-area quickness events at the combine, which could hurt his draft standing, but might not deter him from NFL success as a complementary runner.”"

In other words he’s not a guy that’s going to tote the rock 20-25 times a game. Then again that’s not what Nagy wants. His offense is about spreading the ball around to playmakers, keeping defenses guessing as to where it will go. That puts a demand out for players who can produce in limited opportunities. Singletary is that sort of talent.

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