Bears Send Heavy Presence to Oregon Pro Day

The Chicago Bears sent a sizable contingent to Eugene on Monday for Oregon’s Pro Day according to a report from Courtney Cronin. Ducks quarterback Bo Nix is expected to throw the ball, a session that will take center stage. Although the Bears are expected to do their due diligence on Nix, he isn’t expected to be the primary target their attendance is focused on.

Hearing the Bears are sending a sizable contingent to Oregon today. They’ll get to do their due diligence on Bo Nix (like with all top QB prospects), but center Jackson Powers-Johnson is the draw. Could be an option for Chicago if Ryan Poles wants to trade back from 9 for a… https://t.co/E2SBgZuezB

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) March 12, 2024

The Ducks possess a number of other prospects in addition to Nix that will command the Bears’ attention. An obvious one is center Jackson Powers-Johnson, who improved his pre-draft stock following standout showings at the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl. The contracts being handed out to interior offensive linemen in free agency (Robert Hunt and Lloyd Cushenberry) indicate Powers-Johnson is a potential first-round pick. The Bears lack an obvious starting center with Ryan Bates currently being projected into that role. Powers-Johnson could be a target if the Bears trade back from No. 9 to the 15-20 range.

Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin is another playmaker that will capture the Bears’ eye at Pro Day. Franklin enjoyed a breakout as a junior in 2022, totaling 81 receptions for 1,383 yards (17.1 ypc) and 14 touchdowns. Franklin averaged an explosive 17.1 yards per catch. The Bears are in the market for a WR2 after Darnell Mooney signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday.

The Bears probably don’t require another running back after signing D’Andre Swift, but Oregon scat-back Bucky Irving is an electric game-changer. Irving possesses the explosiveness and route-running ability to be an impactful dual-threat back at the next level. He would have made sense with the 75th overall pick before the Swift addition.