Chicago Bears: 2021 NFL Draft prospects nobody’s talking about (part 2)
Chicago Bears outside receiver prospects
The following two receivers I have for the Chicago Bears have probably been talked about by them but might not make their radar until the undrafted market occurs. Dez Fitzpatrick of Louisville and Michael Strachan of Charleston might not have the luxury of hearing their names called in the 2021 NFL draft.
Fitzpatrick has had a steady carry under scrambling quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Malik Cunningham. Fitzpatrick, much like his counterpart Jaylen Smith never had a true pass-first quarterback in college. Lousiville is all about using the quarterbacks as the passer and the playmaker.
However, Fitzpatrick has some qualities in his game. He is not as fast as Jacob Harris but is very close. Fitzpatrick thrives from route consistency (not running) and speed. He lacks the talent of coming down with contested catches. There were numerous times when Malik Cunningham would cut it loose deep down the sideline, and Fitzpatrick would rise (35 inches), snagging the ball with two hands, only to not be able to bring it in.
If Fitzpatrick can work on bringing the ball in, he could become what Darnell Mooney is currently in the NFL. On the other side, Michael Strachan is what Stephen Denmark wanted to be in college.
That was to become a star receiver for his school that is an athletic freak. Let me just share these notes with you. Michael Strachan is 6’5″, 228 pounds with an 85-inch wingspan and ran a 4.46 40-yard dash. Those measurements sound like Stephen Denmark. Strachan has 10-inch hands and benched 225 20 times and had a 37-inch vertical jump.
Next. Five small school prospects for the Bears. dark
The difference between the two is Denmark wanted to play receiver but changed positions to get drafted. Denmark was not productive as a receiver. That is why Denmark made the switch to cornerback. Strachan was very effective in college. He earned 2018 and 2019 ALL-MEC first-team honors. In those two years, Strachan gained over 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. That’s dominating the competition.
Check back for part three in a couple of hours.