Draft Options Galore: Breaking Down Top RB and QB Prospects for the Bears

Here’s the Quick -n- Dirrty..

• Trey Benson was the standout RB at the Combine with a blazing 4.39 40-yard dash at 216 lbs. Could be a great complementary back to Khalil Herbert.
• Marshawn Lloyd (USC) and Isaac Grindle (Louisville) are intriguing Day 3 RB targets with good size/speed combos that fit Bears’ offense.
• QB Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) impressed with his arm talent and throwing in drills despite just average 4.95 40 time.
• Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) has an elite arm and made all the throws look easy in drills. Would thrive indoors but some injury concerns.
• JJ McCarthy (Michigan) struggled with deep ball accuracy but has poise and short/intermediate accuracy teams covet. Likely needs to sit initially.

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The offensive skill position players took center stage Saturday at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, giving the Chicago Bears coaching staff an up-close evaluation of some of the top running back and quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class. While the elite wide receiver group understandably stole headlines, the Bears may have an even greater need to address offensive backfield talent this offseason.

At running back, no player helped himself more over the weekend than Florida’s Trey Benson. The 6-foot, 216-pound Benson showcased an incredible combination of size, speed and fluidity during on-field drills and testing. His official 4.39 40-yard dash time ranks among the fastest ever for a bigger back, displaying legitimate homerun hitting ability.

Benson’s smooth pass-catching and crisp route-running also jumped off the screen. He projects as the ideal complementary weapon to incumbent starter Khalil Herbert in Chicago’s offense if Benson is available at a good value spot on Day 2 of the draft. With Herbert entering a contract year in 2024, drafting Benson would give the Bears a long-term feature back in waiting.

Beyond Benson, a couple of other potential mid-to-late round running back targets flashed varied skill sets that would fit nicely in Chicago’s backfield. USC’s Marshawn Lloyd clocked a respectable 4.64 40-yard dash at 5-foot-9, 220 pounds, showcasing good short-area burst. While not a speedster, Lloyd has reliable hands and enough power for interior runs.

Lloyd profiles as a more compact, budget version of Herbert essentially. If the Bears like Lloyd’s well-rounded game and fiery playing style, he could be an excellent value on Day 3 to groom behind Herbert and provide physical depth quickly. The same could be said of fellow workout standout Isaac Grindle from Louisville.

Grindle blazed an official 4.33 40 at 221 pounds, turning heads with his size-speed combination. The ACC product has drawn Matt Forte comparisons for his smooth run/pass versatility at that bigger back size. Like Lloyd, Grindle would make for an excellent Day 3 priority free agent addition given his upside, affordable draft cost and familiarity with Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s wide zone system.

On the quarterback front, South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler enjoyed arguably the best day of any passer invited to Indianapolis. His 4.95 official 40 clocked slightly ahead of Patrick Mahomes’ infamous 4.8 flat run. But more importantly, Rattler showed off elite arm talent across multiple throwing sessions at the Combine.

The 6-foot, 200-pounder displayed excellent mechanics and zip on all levels of throws, from precision in tight windows on out routes and bucket tosses to driving the deep ball down the field effortlessly. Rattler looked poised and in rhythm throughout his workout. If he checks out medically and in interviews, the former five-star recruit could re-cement himself into Day 2 draft target status for teams seeking long-term upside.

Joining Rattler with a standout passing display was Washington’s Michael Penix Jr, one of the Group of Five’s most prolific aerial quarterbacks in recent years. The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder wowed with his off-platform arm strength and ability to attack all areas of the field. Penix’s deep ball touch and accuracy were particularly impressive, dropping numerous dimes into tight throwing windows for completions during drills.

While durability remains a potential concern after Penix missed time with injuries earlier in his career, scouts cannot question his live arm talent. If a team runs an offense amenable to Penix’s aggressive vertical passing style, he could emerge as an offensive centerpiece with the right development and protection. His Combine outing only affirmed his mid-round draft appeal.

On the flip side, Michigan’s JJ McCarthy largely underwhelmed as a passer in Indy. His accuracy faltered considerably when pushing the ball vertically downfield, leading to multiple overthrows and misses. McCarthy’s touch and feel for throwing down the sidelines also seemed inconsistent compared to quick-hitting routes across the middle.

Of course, McCarthy was working with unfamiliar receivers in an abnormal environment which could explain some ups and downs. But the flaws were still glaring enough to raise some evaluator skepticism whether he’s ready to operate a full-field passing attack early in his NFL career. McCarthy may need time seasoning a simplified scheme to hone his downfield precision.

Still, the strength of McCarthy’s arm and athleticism flashed on intermediate throws, reminding why he ranked as a consensus elite prep prospect. With continued coaching and experience, his accuracy woes could become an afterthought. But his scattered Combine performance certainly leaves some questions heading into Michigan’s upcoming Pro Day.

For the Bears and new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, they could afford to mine the 2024 running back and quarterback draft classes for added firepower to better maximize Justin Fields’ skillset within their evolving offensive scheme. Benson and Rattler stood out most for perfectly meshing Fields’ aggression with additional home run hitting ability and downfield arm strength, respectively. However, Day 3 upside prospects like Lloyd and Grindle could offer inexpensive, developmental depth that fuels competition.

Especially with the Bears entering the offseason prioritizing two premium picks on blue-chip talent, unearthing mid-round steals at offensive skill spots could become a battle-tested formula for team success under new management . The Combine provided early insight into which prospects fit that ideology. Now the waiting game begins for Pro Days and official draft weekend decisions in April.

Bear Down Bears fans! And as always… PEACE!