Top free agents Chicago Bears should target after NFL Combine
Running Backs
Jordan Howard is great. He’s a tough runner and makes key plays. The problem with his style is that he needs to keep getting the ball and he isn’t a running back you can depend on in the passing game. The more you throw to him, the lower his catch percentage gets. You can only throw to him as a check down.
Nagy needs a back who can be an integral part of the running and passing game. Here is Howard’s catch percentage for his career. Notice that the lower the number of catches the higher the percentage. Nagy needs to throw to the running back a lot for the offense to flourish.
- 2016: 50 targets, 29 receptions, 58.0 catch percentage
- 2017: 32 targets, 23 receptions, 71.9 catch percentage
- 2018: 26 targets, 20 receptions, 76.9 catch percentage
With that being said, the Bears need to go out and find a running back who fits the offensive system. Here are possible targets:
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
T.J. Yeldon — Yeldon in Nagy’s system is intriguing. He is still young at 25. He’s been a good runner, averaging 4.0 yards per carry in his career. In addition, he’s a dependable pass catcher. He made 171 receptions and a catch percentage of 73.3 percent. Yeldon spent the last couple of years as Leonard Fournette’s backup. I believe he’ll do well in the Chicago Bears’ offensive system.
Tevin Coleman — Coleman is another good fit for the Bears. He has a career per-carry average of 4.4, so he can get good yards. He was even better in 2018, averaging 4.8 yards every time he rushed the ball. Also, he is a speedster who can put it in second gear and run away from defenders. He had four touchdown runs in 2018, but when throwing the ball to him in the open space, he found the end zone five times. He also rushed for 800 yards — pretty good considering how much the Atlanta Falcons throw the ball.
At 25, Coleman is another young player. Additionally, he is from the Chicagoland area, having gone to Oak Forest High School. He’d be a good fit at a reasonable price.
Spencer Ware — The Bears could decide to go with someone already familiar with Nagy’s system. Ware played well in Kansas City before an injury derailed his entire 2017 season. He came back and had a pretty good 2018, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and 11.2 yards per catch.
Ware wouldn’t have to deal with a learning curve. He is familiar with the system and can step in right away. Before his injury cost him the 2017 season, he had 921 rushing yards and 447 receiving yards. After a year of playing again, he could be completely healthy and ready to repeat his performance. If the Bears acquire Ware, they’ll probably also pick a running back in the draft as a good backup. If he is over his health problems, however, he should do well in this offensive system.