Chicago Bears: 7-Round 2019 mock draft, post-Combine
The Chicago Bears may go after a running back through free agency. Even so, they don’t have a lot of money to make a big splurge. They are looking for a bargain. Because of that, running back is a priority in the draft. Additionally, Taquan Mizzell wasn’t a good third running back so Sanders can be a more involved backup to start. He’ll be able to play more snaps and eventually compete for a starting spot.
Miles Sanders is a good fit with the Bears offense. At the combine, the Bears gave the media what they are looking for in a running back. They want a two-speed, three-down back who can evade defenders downfield and who is featured in the passing game, per Dan Durkin of The Athletic.
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This is an apt description of Sanders’ game. In 2018, he carried the ball 220 times and caught the ball 24 times. He showed he can carry the workload. He was the only the featured back for the 2018 season, but that had to do with Saquon Barkley being on the roster. I don’t know if he’ll be another Barkley, but he can be a featured back on the NFL level.
Sanders is able to run between the tackles but is more impressive when he moves laterally and makes defenders miss. He can hit the outside and shift into another gear and get big chunks of yards. That is a big aspect of the offense. If the running game can get large chunks of yards, it eases quarterback Mitch Trubisky‘s pressure, making his job easier.
Sanders only caught 24 passes but that has more to do with the Nittany Lions’ quarterback play. He has soft hands and uses them to make catches instead of having the ball get to his chest. He could be a very good pass catcher in a pass-happy offense. He is also a good pass blocker, helping give Trubisky more time to make a pass.
Like Tarik Cohen, Sanders could move out to the slot. He could run sweeps from there or go out and run routes. That gives head coach Matt Nagy more options. Imagine Sanders and Cohen on the field at the same time. That puts pressure on opposing defenses.
The Chicago Bears offense will look much smoother in 2019 if they draft Miles Sanders.