Chicago Bears meet with intriguing linebacker ahead of 2022 NFL draft

The Chicago Bears continued doing their homework on prospects as we are over a week away from the start of the 2022 NFL draft.

New general manager Ryan Poles has been busy this offseason visiting with potential Bear draft picks, hosting them via zoom and in person. News broke Wednesday the Bears were using their final visit day to connect with a linebacker.

Per multiple reports, the Bears met with Iowa State Linebacker Jake Hummel as Halas Hall. The Cyclone product is considered to be a late Day 3 pick or an undrafted free agent, per the updated mock drafts on NFL Mock Draft Database.

While Hummel has a Day 3 grade, he put together an impressive Pro Day with numbers that rank among the best in the class for linebackers. That potentially helped his stock last month and now he’s wrapping up visits with teams.

The Iowa native recorded 39 tackles and one sack to go along with two interceptions in his fifth-year senior season in Big 12.

As for his position at the next level, NFLDraftBuzz.com projects him as a MIKE linebacker:

“An intelligent player who can play “MIKE” linebacker despite his lack of size because of his instincts and ability to find the ball in traffic.” Although his weaknesses tend to be athleticism, specifically in a lack of speed, agility, and physicality.

With the Bears switching to the 4-3 in new head coach Matt Eberflus’ system, the Bears will be looking to for someone to fill the “mike” position with Roquan Smith potentially playing  the”Will.”

Chicago has a handful of picks on Day 3 and Hummel could be a player we see selected by Poles in bhis first draft class.

Make sure to check out our Bears forum for the latest on the team.

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