5 Players from Day 2 of the NFL Combine that could help the Chicago Bears in 2024
By Peter Jurich
The 2024 NFL Combine continues Friday with the defensive backs and tight ends taking the field for drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Both position groups are strengths for the Chicago Bears, but the front office and scouting department will not spend the day sitting on their hands as several prospects could help the team in 2024 and beyond.
In the secondary, the Bears need to be looking for a free safety to replace the recently released Eddie Jackson. The team should also keep their eyes on top boundary cornerback prospects just in case there is a snafu in the re-signing of Jaylon Johnson. Additionally, the team could use more depth at both levels of the secondary as well as at the tight end position, as there should be at least one more solid pass-catching option behind Cole Kmet. With that in mind, here are five prospects who will be participating in drills on Friday that could help the Chicago Bears moving forward:
2 Cornerbacks the Chicago Bears should be watching on Friday
Nate Wiggins - Clemson
Wiggins is likely the only player on this list that will end up being a first-round selection come late April, and for good reason. Standing at 6'2" and 180 lbs, the Clemson standout is a long, slender boundary cornerback who has a knack for getting his hands on the ball. Despite recording just three interceptions as a starter over the past two seasons, Wiggins totaled an impressive 19 passes defended.
A boundary cornerback prospect with the intangibles of Wiggins would only be targeted by the Bears if they cannot retain Johnson on a long-term contract. Still, Wiggins provides an interesting alternative plan if need be, and the Bears will likely do their due diligence on one of the class's top defensive prospects.
Cam Hart - Notre Dame
Hart might lack the collegiate production of a top cornerback prospect, but his size and versatility indicate that a team like the Bears could benefit from the Notre Dame standout's services. At 6'2", 200 lbs, Hart is a long, rangy, physical player who could realistically be trusted to play both on the boundary and in the slot.
At Notre Dame, Hart's last interception came in 2021, but in two years since, the cornerback has recorded an impressive eight total passes defended. Hart will need to improve his technique, especially down the field, before he can crack the Bears' rotation, but having physical freaks waiting in the wings of the secondary is never a bad thing.