Chicago Bears Scouting: Caden Sterns 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Caden Sterns was a hyped safety recruit who burst onto the scene by starting as a true freshman. He was able to earn All-Freshman honors. Unfortunately, a knee injury derailed his sophomore year. Like all athletes, his junior year was up and down and impacted by COVID. He opted out, but still played 481 snaps in 2020.
According to PFF, he played 315 snaps as a deep safety, and 165 in the box, with 104 of those coming specifically as a slot corner. What could he bring to the NFL?
Caden Sterns size and athleticsm
Caden Sterns College Stats
Below you can see the college stats of Sterns. He spent all three years at Texas.
Positive Traits that Caden Sterns brings to the NFL
I do not have to read off the stats below that show his athleticism. The traits that show up from his vertical and broad jumps are burst, which he displays on the football field. Sterns is best working downhill and making tackles. He knows when to lay the boom, and when to wrap up and bring the ball carrier to the ground.
Sterns is never intimidated and will take on bigger runners downhill. With his combination of size, explosion, and heady tackling, he certainly has a special team’s floor to him.
Concerns with Caden Stenrs game translating to the NFL
You see it all the time in the Big 12, but WRs were running into the open field far too often on his watch. As the deep field safety, he saw too many play breaks where he was slow to react or to rotate and it would cost the team dearly.
Sterns is much better moving downhill and almost looks like he is stuck in mud when he has to change direction as a deep field safety. His ball production declined from his freshman year, and h never quite built on what he put in there. Now, he is a safety that is looked at as best in the box because of his limitations, both mentally and physically, in coverage.
NFL Comparisons for Caden Sterns
Using his pro day numbers, I was able to pull out a list of recent NFL players who had similar metrics in size and athleticism. There are certainly upside projections, as he checks a lot of boxes. However, most of the top-tier athletes also come with the draft capital. The list of players like him who fall in the draft usually falls for a reason.
A potential good NFL comparison for Sterns would be Gerald Alexander or Kenny Vaccarro as an upside comp. Vaccarro is a bit shiftier but did transition to have a nice career in the box. Alexander was a box safety who bounced around and had some special team value. The latter may be more realistic.
Does Caden Sterns fit Chicago Bears?
Sterns has to be in play for the Chicago Bears considering Deon Bush is currently their starting strong safety. We know they will bring somebody in, but they do have a need for a strong safety. Drafting Sterns on day three is a cheaper option than bringing DHC, who the team re-signed, but just for a chance. to head to training camp.. Considering DHC is all special teams without seeing the defensive field, they may want to look at Sterns.
While Stern’s pro day was great, that is what will get a team to bet on him on day three. His tape showed a projection and a player who has not progressed much from his freshman year. That is where the Bears found DHC and Bush, and they may find a similar replacement in Caden Sterns. At the cost, and for the role, it would not be a bad option for the Bears to look into Cade Sterns.