Running back has been a focal point for the Chicago Bears heading into the 2019 NFL Draft. After Jordan Howard’s trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s become a foregone conclusion that the Bears are looking to this year’s crop of running backs to help bolster a backfield that consists of Tarik Cohen and the newly-acquired Mike Davis.
Perhaps that new Bears running back might be Notre Dame’s Dexter Williams, who was among several players that participated in the Bears’ local pro day on Friday at Halas Hall. Williams also met with Bears staff on Thursday night.
Chicago is doing its due diligence in exploring this year’s running back prospects, and Williams is someone that the Bears have been eyeing since the Senior Bowl, where they had a formal meeting with him.
In nine games as Notre Dame’s lead rusher, Williams had 158 carries for 995 yards and 12 touchdowns, including a 97-yard run that showed his home-run ability. Williams also contributed in the passing game, catching 16 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. The concern with Williams is his character, which includes an arrest in 2016 and a four-game suspension in 2018.
The Bears’ local pro day is open to players who attended high school or college in the area. While most notably this is a day that draws Notre Dame and Northwestern players, players from smaller colleges have also made an appearance. A name you might be familiar with? Cameron Meredith.
Another player among the Bears’ local pro day was Northwestern defensive tackle Jordan Thompson, who amassed 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, six batted passes and three forced fumbles.
