Throughout most of this pre-draft process, there’s been a few things that have been showcased more than others. One of which is how deep this running back class is.
With David Montgomery potentially on the move this free agency period, it’s possible the Chicago Bears use a high-ish pick to get their new running back.
The Chicago Bears could look at drafting Chase Brown this year
That running back could very well be Illinois Fighting Illini back, Chase Brown.
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2018 | Western Michigan | MAC | FR | RB | 13 | 71 | 352 | 5.0 | 0 | 10 | 75 | 7.5 | 0 | 81 | 427 | 5.3 | 0 |
| *2019 | Illinois | Big Ten | SO | RB | 2 | 3 | 18 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 6.0 | 0 | |
| 2020 | Illinois | Big Ten | SO | RB | 8 | 104 | 540 | 5.2 | 3 | 7 | 64 | 9.1 | 0 | 111 | 604 | 5.4 | 3 |
| 2021 | Illinois | Big Ten | SO | RB | 10 | 170 | 1005 | 5.9 | 5 | 14 | 142 | 10.1 | 0 | 184 | 1147 | 6.2 | 5 |
| *2022 | Illinois | Big Ten | JR | RB | 12 | 328 | 1643 | 5.0 | 10 | 27 | 240 | 8.9 | 3 | 355 | 1883 | 5.3 | 13 |
| Career | Overall | 676 | 3558 | 5.3 | 18 | 58 | 521 | 9.0 | 3 | 734 | 4079 | 5.6 | 21 | ||||
| Western Michigan | 71 | 352 | 5.0 | 0 | 10 | 75 | 7.5 | 0 | 81 | 427 | 5.3 | 0 | |||||
| Illinois | 605 | 3206 | 5.3 | 18 | 48 | 446 | 9.3 | 3 | 653 | 3652 | 5.6 | 21 |
Brown has an exceptional set of skills that will likely translate well to the NFL, however, he does have his cons.
Being 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, he’s not a tiny running back, but he’s also not a prototypical size for running backs in this league.
In Senior Bowl practices, it showed a bit in his lack of pass protection success. While he protected better as the week went on, it’s not an area of his game that will make him money.
That area, however, is his breakaway speed.
Brown, along with any other NFL prospect, has yet to test at the combine, so it’s not certain what his 40-yard speed is. That said, he is fast with the ball in his hands.
4️⃣9️⃣-yards to the HOUSE! 👀@chasebrown____ extends @IlliniFootball's lead 👏 pic.twitter.com/MBcP1PW7iE
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 1, 2022
Chase Brown is a force to be reckoned with, whether handing him the ball in the backfield or passing him the ball. He’s a true dual-threat running back that would fit the Chicago Bears’ offense wonderfully.
As mentioned earlier, his pass protection could use work, as that is something the Bears are thankful for with David Montgomery. However, if Brown can fine-tune that part of his game, he should be a no-brainer for the Chicago Bears with a draft pick on Day 2.
And, he already looks good in blue in orange. Just sayin’.