Significant Medical Update Likely Alters Chicago Bears Draft Board

The Chicago Bears could take several different paths after they pick Caleb Williams #1 overall. Most believe they will either take somebody at #9 or trade down and take somebody later in the 1st. The obvious question is which players might be high on their board. GM Ryan Poles won’t tell anybody that. However, there are multiple names that have been connected to the team thanks to their position and talent. Under normal circumstances, some of these guys would be no-brainers.

There is one problem. They carry medical risks. Albert Breer of the MMQB provided a notable update on several prominent draft prospects who got flagged for health concerns. Three of them are players the Bears have met with at various points over the past month. One is UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu. Another is Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. It seems all three didn’t the clean bill of health they were hoping for, making them considerable risks.

Knowing how the Bears operate, this may change their board.

Latu’s neck condition is going to be a disqualifier for some, but not all teams. He was medically retired by the University of Washington, which forced his transfer to UCLA. You’ll remember that in 2018, Leighton Vander Esch came into the league with a neck condition. A really solid linebacker when he played, and the Cowboys’ first-round pick that year, Vander Esch missed significant time in four of his six seasons, and retired after being limited to just five games in 2023.

Washington OT Troy Fautanu’s knee was flagged. That one was described to me as the sort of issue that shouldn’t be a problem in the short term, but could wind up impacting his longevity in the pros (though his high football character is a factor in making teams feel like he’ll do all he can to take care of it, and give himself the best chance).

Georgia WR Ladd McConkey’s situation is similar to Penix in that he’s dealt with a mountain of injuries, and he’s not overly big (185 pounds). So the concern is how his body holds up with the hits coming from bigger, faster players in the NFL.

The Chicago Bears are stringent on medicals.

Poles made that clear with his first-ever big move. The Bears had planned to sign prominent defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi as a free agent in 2022. However, team physicians failed his physical due to a persistent knee issue. Chicago rescinded the contract, not willing to take the risk. This is how they have operated ever since. Nobody debates how good Latu, Fautanu, and McConkey are. Some argue the former two might be the best at their respective positions. Unfortunately, history isn’t on their side.

Players who come into the league with a background of injuries don’t usually overcome them in the NFL. Teven Jenkins, a 2nd round pick in 2021, came in with established issues. He has missed 20 games across three seasons. The same problem occurred with Chris Williams when he arrived in 2008. There were already concerns about his back, and those never went away. He battled injuries during and after his career with the Chicago Bears. Don’t expect Poles to take such a risk.