Bear Digest

Later Picks Who Could Fill a Role in Bears Backfield

The Bears wouldn't be looking at one of the very best backs because they lack picks and have three backs, but depth and special skill sets are always appealing.

Gene Chamberlain

Kentucky's Ray Davis has power and speed but hasn't been overworked as a college ball carrier.
Kentucky's Ray Davis has power and speed but hasn't been overworked as a college ball carrier. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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With only four picks in this draft, the Bears need to be choosey.

It might mean eliminating a choice if a player fell their way who was intriguing at positions they might not deem as necessary.

One of those is running back.

Having added free agent D'Andre Swift and paid him $24 million on a three-year deal, their emphasis at this position is made.

They didn't pitch a role or say anything about a role," Swift said upon coming to Halas Hall. "I'm just saying, I'm going to earn whatever they give me."

Actually, the Bears let their money do the talking with that contract, a good one for running backs in times when the position has dropped virtually to the bottom of the league pay scale.

Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron used his top back for 60% of carries and Swift also is an above-average receiver.

"I would say for any back you kind of need touches to get a feel for the game," Swift said. "Every game is different. I think I speak for any running back. You need touches to get a feel foe game, and the more touches you get the game kind of slows down for you and it comes a little bit, I wouldn't say easier, but you make a little bit more things happen."

With Roschon Johnson in only his second year after he received good playing time for a rookie, the role for veteran Khalil Herbert seems in doubt beyond this year. In fact, he might have a limited role this year except they found out last year it often takes three backs or more -- they had to bring back Darrynton Evans for a few games after three backs were injured.

Either way, there shouldn't be much interest in adding a running back in the draft unless they somehow acquired an extra pick through trade during the draft and saw something unique there for them to hang onto until next season or in an emergency this year.

Here's who could be most intriguing on Day 3 for the Bears at running back.

Ray Davis, Kentucky

A well-built 5-foot-9, 215-pounder who can do a little of everything and whatever he does it he does it at 100% capacity. David gained 1,129 yards rushing and 323 yards receiving last year after playing at Temple and Vanderbilt. He gained over 1,000 yards at Vanderbuilt, as well. He runs hard but the drawback that will make him fall is he is a 25-year-old back already.

Bucky Irving, Oregon

A potential shifty, third-down and big-play back at only 5-foot-9, 192 pounds, he finished college ith only one fumble. But he's one of the better receiving backs to come into this draft with 56 catches last yar and 87 the last two seasons for 712 yards. He also ran for over 1,000 yards each of the last two years after transferring from Minnesota.

Keilan Robinson, Texas

An Alabama transfer who is also a scatback at 5-9, 183 and has kick return experience. He barely scratched the surface as a runner and receiver, though, with only 156 touches of the ball in five seasons. However, an 11.2-yard average on 12 rushes last year and three TDs showed he might have simply been buried in the Longhorns' deep backfield and would be worth a look very late or as an undrafted free agent. His 4.42-second effort at the combine was as good as Tarik Cohen's.

Emani Bailey, TCU

Another third-down type back at 5-7, 203, who runs with power for his size and has good burst. He had a 1,209-yard final season but like many TCU backs, his receiving opportunities have been limited. The 25 catches for 184 yards he had last year was a career high.

Michael Wiley, Arizona

A part-time back for the Wildcats who made 336 attempts for 1,712 yards and 123 receptions for 1,150 yards. A 5-foot-11, 207-pounder, He might have had a bigger role his last two seasons and had injury issues, though nothing serious.

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

This year's version of A.J. Dillon, but less successful in college. He overpowers people at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds. He gained 3,494 yards on 597 carries in three years as a classic power type runner like Jonathan Taylor was. A particular type of offense might find him more appealing. One good thing about him is that at 597 carries for three years, he's much less worn down than some of the backs who have come through that program.

Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

A decent sized back with incredible speed, he might have pushed himself up the boards with 4.33 seconds for the combine 40 and a 41 1/2-inch vertical leap. However, he never really got worked much for the Redbirds or before that for Wisconsin. He had 810 yards on 132 yards his final year for the Redbirds but has just 42 college receptions and 231 carries in five years.

Dylan Laube, New Hampshire

The Bears visited with him and their interest should be clear. He does about everything from run, receive, return and even cover on special teams. At 5-10, 206, he ran 4.54 at the combine and displayed excellent hands at the Senior Bowl. He made a whopping 68 receptions last year for 699 yards, had 715 yards rushing and for his career had 139 catches and 2,421 yards rushing.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

BearDigest.com publisher Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

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