Chicago Bears: Deep dive into the hype of the 2021 NFL Draft (Part 4)
The Chicago Bears must have really loved Davis Mills because they have a ton of Stanford players from this year’s draft season on their roster. Had Justin Fields not been the player, I don’t doubt that the Chicago Bear’s backup plan was to trade up at some point in round three and select Davis Mills.
Tight End Scooter Harrington of Stanford most have caught the eyes of the Chicago Bears because Jimmy Graham isn’t getting any younger. The Chicago Bears stated that they loved their tight end room last season, but they also preach competition at every position. I say that Harrington must have impressed the Bears because he has 17 catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns on his career.
You heard that correctly, on his four-year career, with Stanford. Harrington ran a bit better than offensive tackle Walker little in all of the running and agility events. Harrington did not perform the bench press. He is listed at 6’5″ and 250 pounds, so that is impressive. Harrington might be just a camp body, but maybe he brings that grit in the blocking game.
There isn’t much out there on him yet; I am curious to see what he does next. The other Stanford player, the Chicago Bears, brought in was defensive tackle Thomas Schaffer. Schaffer was having a career much like Harrington until last season. Schaffer had a bit of a breakout during those six games Stanford played in 2020. Schaffer had 20 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks.
A final look at the Chicago Bears 2021 UDFAs
Had Stanford played their regular schedule, Schaffers potential breakout season would have gotten him drafted. I call him a defensive tackle because of his size, but he played defensive end at Stanford. Schaffer does come with a bit of an injury history, but it is hard to find a man of his size, 6’7″ and 300 pounds.
Adding to the receiver room, Chicago called Khalil McClain of Troy to come and give his all during the Chicago Bears training camp. McClain was at Auburn’s pro day, where he watched a jet run a 4.28 40-yard dash. McClain, listed at 6’3″ and 215 pounds, knew that wasn’t something in his wheelhouse. After posting a 4.7X, McClain stated that scouts would either love it or hate it, but he did his best.
Not all receivers are extraordinary athletes, but McClain focuses on being on time with his routes, having superior hands, and work ethic. That is all you can ask of him. Lastly, cornerback Dionte Ruffin of Western Kentucky is another hard-working player. The positive factor is that he is also athletic.
Ruffin wanted to show scouts that he can run, jump, and moved very well at his pro day, and he did just that. Ruffin posted a 4.52 40-yard dash, 37.5-inch vertical leap, and sub-7-second three-cone. Ruffin projects as a slot cornerback as he is 5’11” and 180 pounds, but the determination he has from his upbringing could net him a slot on the 53 man roster depending on what he shows in training camp.
Bears deep dive part two UDFA. dark. Next
The Chicago Bears might have had only one splash signing in the undrafted market, but that doesn’t mean all is a fail. At any point, any one of these young emerging talents could show off what it takes to succeed in the NFL. I would not count them out until week one of the NFL season; you just never know.