The Chicago Bears got a rare chance to look at prospects this week at the Senior Bowl. With Luke Getsy as a head coach for the week, he got the great chance to see everyone up closer and personal. Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles made sure to get on the field to see Getsy, but also to scout some players from the eye-level view.
Who are some players that may have caught their eye this week?
Could the Chicago Bears draft John Michael Schmitz?
The center from Minnesota was better in 2021 than he was in 2022. That is why this event is so big for him. He can answer all of the questions about the lack of progress and then can show that he is still the same player in a practice setting.
John Michael Schmitz did exactly that. By the end of the week, most evaluators and media agreed that he was not only the best center at the event, not only the best lineman but perhaps the best player.
The question becomes what does that do to his draft stock? Schmitz was probably a player who was In line to be there at pick 54, and maybe even a bit lower at pick 65. Now, he may be sneaking into the top 50, if not the back end of the first round.
The Chicago Bears may have gotten just enough of an eye on him to watch him pass them by. Still, there is a long process to go. He is the media buzz now, but after the combine and other events, he could still be there at 54. Beyond that, if the Chicago Bears do trade down from 1, he is obviously back in play.
The need for center has to have eyes on Schmitz, and how the rest of his draft process plays out.