There's going to be a point next offseason when the Chicago Bears will need a plan for the running back position and a replacement for D'Andre Swift.
CBS Sports writer Mike Renner released his latest 2027 mock draft, where he has the Bears taking Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy with the 17th overall pick. Hardy could be a guy to help Chicago's rushing attack.
"Ben Johnson finally gets his lead dog in the backfield. Ahmad Hardy has been a chore to bring down since he stepped on a college campus, recording more than 90 broken tackles in each of the past two seasons. While he looked like a first-round talent on tape last year, his future remains uncertain after he was the victim of a shooting last week."
Bears could take a risk with selecting Ahmad Hardy
First off, the hope is that Hardy is recovering well from the shooting incident he was involved in last week. That's a tough moment in his life, and there should be prayers for his healing and recovery, both physically and mentally.
As a football player, he will be among the top backs selected next year if all goes well. Last year, he was second in the nation in rushing yards with 1,649 and tied for sixth in touchdowns with 16.
Hardy is the total package, as he can lower his shoulder to continue picking up yards while also being a big-play threat on offense. Swift might be as good as gone after 2026, so pairing Hardy with Kyle Monangai would be a dream backfield for the Bears as they add youth.
Read more: Bears fans sure hope ESPN isn't projecting Dillon Thieneman's 2026 stats wrong
If Hardy makes a full recovery and can get back to being the player he was last year, the Bears might not be so lucky, and he might go earlier in the draft. There's a chance he could drop, which would be great news for the Bears.
Add us as a preferred source on Google