One thing important to take note of this time of year is whenever the head coach of a team shows up at a pro day. That is usually a good sign that there is a player from that program the team is angling to draft. In 2021, Matt Nagy was spotted at the Ohio State pro day personally watching Justin Fields. Matt Eberflus attended the USC pro day to watch Caleb Williams last year. It stands to reason that Ben Johnson would want to be in person to watch any prospect he and GM Ryan Poles believe is a serious target for the 10th overall pick.
Yet the Bears head coach had been surprisingly elusive for the past week, never surfacing at any events. That finally changed when cameras caught him and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen watching the action at the Michigan pro day in Ann Arbor. This is a fascinating development. The Wolverines have four players expected to go in the 1st round, and at least two of them, defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson, should go in the top 10. This could signal the way the team is leaning with that pick.
Ben Johnson seems to have a strong sway on what the Bears are doing.
GM Ryan Poles still has the final say on every roster decision, but the head coach appears to have directed the off-season plan. Is he really on board with the idea of going defense with the 10th pick? Allen’s presence certainly backs this up. He is a big believer in having a strong interior pass rush. New Orleans drafted both Sheldon Rankins and Bryan Bresee in the 1st round during his time there. That makes Mason Graham an obvious target. By that same token, he also prefers having strong press coverage cornerbacks. Will Johnson is the best in this class.
Perhaps the biggest wild card, at least from the perspective of Ben Johnson, is tight end Coleston Loveland. He, too, is a 1st round lock for many. While not considered the best at his position in this class, he isn’t far off. The fact his most common comparison is Sam LaPorta, whom Johnson coached in Detroit, can’t be a coincidence. There is also big defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, who could be the heir apparent at nose tackle for Andrew Billings, or undersized-but-explosive edge rusher Josiah Stewart.
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Reading between the lines, it sure looks like the Bears are targeting defensive help at that 10th pick. At least one of those top Michigan options could be on the board.