Chicago Bears: Draft prospects that nobody is talking about (part 1)
Chicago Bears quarterback prospects
The Chicago Bears quarterback situation isn’t set up well for the future. However, two quarterbacks that stand out after their pro day are:
- Feleipe Franks, QB – Arkansas
- Zac Thomas, QB – Appalachian State
I have discussed Feleipe Franks earlier this season, but I cannot get him out of my head. If the Chicago Bears intend to draft a quarterback solely to develop him for the future, taking a guy on day three like Franks or Thomas would be ideal.
The Chicago Bears fan base wants Justin Fields, Trey Lance, or Mac Jones now. While many believe that Lance would benefit from sitting on the bench for a year, I think that all quarterbacks should sit a year until they are ready. Not only was Patrick Mahomes QB1 for me in 2017, I believe every rookie quarterback should watch and learn how the NFL process works.
Call me old school, but the Bill Parcells method works, in my opinion. We are yet to witness a quarterback who is a one-and-done college quarterback thrive in the NFL. Kyler Murray is likely the closest player that is succeeding in the NFL at the quarterback position.
Murray is vastly different from guys like Mitch Trubisky, Mark Sanchez, and Trey Lance since he played in 15 games before becoming the full-time starter in 2018. Feleipe Franks could have been on a higher trajectory than Kyle Trask, but injuries forced Trask into the starting lineup, and Franks left for Arkansas. Just Imagine if Franks, who was improving every year, got the opportunity to play in Florida that final year with Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney.
Franks completed 76% of his passes his junior year and showed off his running ability and pocket maneuverability. Trask, who is way less mobile, completed 67% of his passes in that same season with 25 passing touchdowns.
Suppose Franks was able to run the Florida offense with that talent. In that case, he very well could have matched the 40 passing touchdowns Trask had but included another 200 yards rushing with a possible multiple rushing touchdown effort. Franks is a question mark, but he could become Kyle Trask, but with mobility and a rocket-powered arm. Franks is projected as a day three developmental quarterback. That should be exactly what the Chicago Bears order.