April 25--As the NFL draft nears we're taking a position-by-position look at what's out there and what the Bears need.
Bears status
A carousel of kickoff and punt returners last season finally stopped with veteran Marc Mariani, who's back. Long snapper is still an open question more than a year after Patrick Mannelly retired. Veteran Thomas Gafford signed in free agency. Kicker Robbie Gould's 10th NFL season was forgettable. He made only nine field goals, and his 75 percent accuracy rate was the worst of his career. Strong-legged punter Pat O'Donnell became more consistent as his rookie season progressed.
Level of draft need: Low
Mariani is a courageous ball carrier who attacks running lanes. But he was a free agent from late August until the Bears signed him in November. In other words, if members of the Bears' new regime weren't responsible for his signing last fall, how sold are they on him now? At least expect them to establish competition for return duties. They could do the same at long snapper, a position for which they had tryouts in March. As for Gould, there's nothing public to indicate he's incapable of bouncing back with a healthy 2015.
Top prospect
Tyler Lockett, Kansas State, Returner
5-10, 182 pounds
Worth a look: Lockett is an elusive burner who could be drafted on Day 2 for the combination he presents as a receiver and returner. His 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine showed his elite straight-line speed. He sells double moves well and understands how to separate from defenders.
Stay away: Questions about his size and lack of bulk could scare teams off from making him a full-time returner. He presents run blocking issues because of size, as well.
Intriguing options
Joe Cardona, Navy, Long snapper
6-2, 242 pounds
Worth a look: He was a reliable snapper on punts for four years and kicks for three. He's extremely accurate with exceptional velocity on the ball.
Stay away: Drafting a long snapper is out of the ordinary, but good ones are extremely valuable, as Mannelly proved during his career. If the new regime believes it's a need, then it's justifiable. One problem: he would need an exception from the Navy to play as he has a five-year commitment after he graduates in May.
Ty Montgomery, Stanford, Returner
6-0, 221 pounds
Worth a look: Montgomery was an explosive playmaker in college, which is why his 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the combine caused some head scratching. But he's well-built and scored five touchdowns in the return game. If he can develop more as a receiver, he could have serious NFL staying power.
Stay away: As a receiver, he fights the ball at times and has some bad drops on video. He isn't a significant threat catching contested throws downfield.
Josh Lambo, Texas A, Kicker
6-0, 216 pounds
Worth a look: Strong-legged former soccer player was drafted eighth overall by FC Dallas in 2008 but eventually walked on at Texas A He was the most accurate field goal kicker in school history (21 of 25) and made a 50-yarder.
Stay away: He's relatively inexperienced, particularly kicking off in game situations. He kicked off only twice last season and did not have a touchback.
Sleeper
J.J. Nelson, Alabama-Birmingham, Returner
5-10, 156 pounds
Worth a look: Only one prospect in the last 10 years has run the 40-yard dash at the combine faster than Nelson's 4.28 seconds. And because he's an undersized, unpolished receiver, he has upside late in the draft or as a free agent.
Stay away: We should all be so lucky to have his metabolism. Unfortunately for him, that won't help absorb NFL linebackers sprinting downfield to crush him.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
