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Chicago Bears NFL Draft Prospect Watch: New Year’s Day Bowl Games

By Mike "Boomer" Burzawa

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Happy New Year!  It’s 2014 and college football will be in full effect as you nurse that hangover or start on those New Year’s resolutions.  I decided to take a look at the games going on today and help give Chicago Bears fans an idea about which prospects to watch throughout the day.  I’m far from a draft expert, but according to the early draft boards, here are some of the top prospects in each of today’s games. (Note, this is limited to players who will be in the draft  as of this post, so mostly seniors.)

Jan 01, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; A general view of the Gator Bowl logo before the start of the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Northwestern Wildcats at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 01, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; A general view of the Gator Bowl logo before the start of the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Northwestern Wildcats at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Gator Bowl: Nebraska vs. Georgia (Jan. 1, 12 p.m. ET)

Nebraska

CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste 6’2″ 220 lbs.

A former wide receiver has the size that you’re looking for to try to keep up with today’s big corners, but is a little bit raw.  Jean-Baptiste ranks as the #16 CB according to CBS Sportsline and projects as a mid-round selection in a big position of need for the Bears.

Georgia

QB Aaron Murray

Murray won’t get to play in the game as he recovers from knee surgery, but the Georgia quarterback looks like he’d be a good fit for a Marc Trestman offense.  There is an obvious concern about Murray’s size, being just 6’1″, but other short quarterbacks have proven you can get away with a lack of height with a quick release and good pocket presence.  Murray is the 11th ranked quarterback and projects in the 4th or 5th round selection.

Others to watch: TE Arthur Lynch (Round 3) and DT Garrison Smith (Round 7)

Heart of Dallas Bowl: UNLV vs. North Texas (Jan. 1, 12 p.m. ET)

Eh…. Not much here to watch unless you’re looking for undrafted free agents.  Stick to the Gator Bowl or try to catch some of the Walking Dead marathon.

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