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5 Reasons the Bears Shouldn’t Draft O.J. Howard

By Greg O'Shalae

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general wide angle view of Lucas Oil Stadium taken during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general wide angle view of Lucas Oil Stadium taken during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bears should be cautious of Combine Fool’s Gold.

The NFL Combine can be a deceiving event.  NFL prospects go through a bunch of movements and drills that are supposed to simulate actions on the NFL field.  Unsurprisingly, sometimes their Combine performance supersedes their collegiate performance.

Over the past decade or so, there have been some pretty amazing performances at the Combine.  Who can forget Chris Johnson setting the then record by running 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash?  For every Johnson, however, there is a player who doesn’t live up to their lofty one day performance.

Combine warriors, NFL busts

Remember Arkansas QB Matt Jones?  He had so much potential and such a great Combine performance.  He ran a sub 4.4 forty, and nearly nailed 40 inches in the vertical.  Jacksonville jumped all over him in the first round, thinking he’d be an elite WR.  Wrong.

How about a little closer to home?  Remember Stephen Paea?  He could lift a house!  He set the bench press record!  Some called him Superman!  All of that did little to help him disengage from blockers for tackles or sacks.

Perhaps the most famous example is Tony Mandarich.  His tale is a sad one, but since it hurt the Packers, it’s worth a laugh every now and then.  He fan a 4.65 forty, faster than Emmitt Smith.  That’s an over 300 lb. man running as fast as a RB.  Mandarich also had stellar numbers in the bench (39 reps) and vertical jump (30″).  The Packers nabbed him with the #2 pick in 1989 draft, just missing out on Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders.  (snicker)

Related Story: Chicago Bears 1983 NFL Draft

Long story short, don’t let the NFL Combine mesmerize.  If the Combine performance is well beyond the on-field production, beware.

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