The Chicago Bears worked out Devin Singletary. Is he a fit for the team and in what round?
Devin Singletary is a polarizing player from Florida Atlantic. Singletary had great statistical production in college but there are questions as to whether or not his skill set will translate. The Chicago Bears worked him out to see for themselves.
What were they looking for in this workout and how would he fit with the Chicago Bears?
Strengths
The easy word to put next to Devin Singletary is elusive. He has great lateral agility and can put together multiple moves while maintaining balance. Not many backs are able to string together as many moves as him, which springs big plays and highlight-worthy runs.
According to Pro Football Focus Singletary ranked third in elusive rating and second in attempts without being tackled on first contact. His ability to break tackles also shows in his pass protection, as he grades out very well in that category as well.
Weakness
While his elusiveness, physicality, and power showed in college, the questions as to whether he can translate to the NFL come in his size. As you can see by his mockdraftable web, there are not many players who measured at the combine as limited as him, let alone had a successful NFL career.
While his elusive ability can translate, you have to wonder how many tackles were broken because of the competition he faced at FAU.
Another note that will scare off Bears fans is that his college production and measurables compare him best to Ka’Deem Carey. An elusive, but undersized runner who did not see his skill set translate.
It is also worth noting how slow the 40-yard dash was. While he can evade you laterally, there were instances in his video that he was unable to finish runs because of his speed.
Singletary also was hardly used in the passing game. While that can be chalked up to usage, he did not take advantage of any opportunities, either. He ranked 83rd in yards per target and 83rd in drop rate amongst draft-eligible running backs.
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Skinny
It is pretty clear we know what the Bears brought him in to see. They need to know if he can catch. It is one thing to be undersized and unexplosive. It is another to have no impact in the passing game.
If Singletary can add to the passing game, he is an interesting complimentary piece. He has lateral agility between the tackles can upgrade from Taquan Mizzell and his pass protection gives him a chance to be an upgrade from Benny Cunningham.
However, if his upside is a third piece of a backfield, he is not going to be an option until later rounds.
Some appreciate his decisiveness and running style. However, there are too many questions regarding his NFL application to take with their third-round pick.