If the Chicago Bears decide to pass on running back until the later rounds, they could be looking at Mike Weber
The Chicago Bears have been doing their research on running backs. Aside from meeting a group of backs at the combine, they also met with Ohio State running back Mike Weber for a workout before his Pro Day. The Bears were also in attendance for his Pro Day workout.,
With interest of some sort, it is worth wondering what Mike Weber brings to the table. He may not be an option in round three but rather looked at as a fallback option in later rounds.
Measurables
Strengths
The 40-yard dash time is going to raise some eyes. Mike Weber is a between the tackles runner but has shown that when he has a crease, he can explode for big runs. Mike Weber has good decisiveness in his running and is a one-cut runner who will see the hole and hit the hole. Weber was used in the passing game and has a well rounded overall game.
Weakness
Questions come in the upside of a player like Weber. He does not quite have the lateral agility to put multiple moves together and is more of a take what is given runner. While he was used in the passing game, he was limited in what he could do with the ball in his hands and graded poorly in pass protection by Pro Football Focus.
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Skinny
Mike Weber can compare to Jordan Howard in that the two are Big 10 running backs expected to go in the later rounds of the NFL draft. Howard is a bit bigger, but Weber makes up for it with some power of his own, and the added element of breakaway speed.
Both rely strongly on their vision and ability to get downhill, and while they can cut hard and burst, they cannot string multiple moves together. Weber may have better hands than Howard, but they are similar after the catch.
If the Chicago Bears can trade Howard, upgrade the team in other areas with their draft picks and take Mike Weber late, it may be a net positive move.
However, his lack of upside and replaceability in skillset does limit when they should take him to their first seventh-round pick.