4 Senior Bowl prospects the Chicago Bears should target

A week ago today, I was in Mobile, Ala., covering the first of three practices for the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

I’ve been making the trip to Mobile part of my schedule since 2020, and every time, I’m reminded that the weather in Alabama can be as inconsistent as Chicago’s. Although this time, we were fortunate to have mid-to-high 60s with a good amount of sunshine.

(I have to share this story. Last year, I decided to wear my hat backward for the majority of the three practices. It was sunny and hot. But I didn’t once think about the crazy tan line that would be left on my forehead, and when I returned back to the Chicago land area before then having to travel to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl, I noticed the most eye-popping tan line I have ever had. It lasted months before my skin eventually returned to its somewhat natural color. Lesson learned. Use plenty of sunblock and either lose the hat or wear it forward.)

The other constant with the Senior Bowl is the NFL prospects that stand out amongst their peers. Every year several players raise their draft stock in just the practices and make a name for themselves.

Many candidates did just that last week.

Here are four players that would be an ideal fit for the Chicago Bears.

Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State

The 6-foot-5, 316-pound offensive lineman out of North Dakota State was arguably the most consistent player throughout the three practices. In the 1-on-1s, Zabel showed quickness out of his stance to mirror opposing pass rushers, power with his hand strikes and ability to anchor.

In the team portions of practice, Zabel also displayed control when finding work at the second level and finished blocks on linebackers. He also repped at left guard, center and right guard, which are all positions of need on Chicago’s offensive line. During his college career, Zabel started at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle.

With how Zabel performed, he is likely to go early on Day 2. The Bears need to revamp their offensive line and Zabel would be a good addition to help Ben Johnson secure the type of players he needs to construct an O-line that will help keep Caleb Williams upright.

Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

Before highlighting how Stewart performed during the practices, here is a nugget about Dennis Allen’s defense. Adam Gristick was a defensive assistant on the Saints staff from 2023-2024 and he coached on the National Team during the Senior Bowl.

Gristick provided insight on the players Allen likes in his defense, specifically at the defensive end position.

“So DA is going to want the prototypical size and speed,” Gristick said. “He likes those big, long guys that can run. Obviously pretty easy to say. That's what everybody wants, but my years with DA I know he wants that prototypical size and speed. He wants the big bodies on the defensive line.”

Gristick also added why Allen prefers big bodies at the defensive end position: “We try to play the defense with a light box, so he wants big bodies that can control the edges. Rather than sometimes those smaller guys you know maybe a little bit smaller but a lot more twitch up and more athletic. He's going to lean into those bigger more physical players.”

With that in mind, Stewart’s 6-foot-5, 281-pound frame fits exactly what Allen is looking for in an edge defender. It also helped that Stewart showed burst off the edge and the ability to turn the corner to take a clear path on pass rushes when he was in the team setting on specific reps.

During a 1-on-1 rep against Kansas tackle Logan Brown, who had a good final day of practice, Stewart converted speed to power and knocked Brown to the ground. The physically gifted defensive end may have had only 4.5 sacks in three seasons at A&M, but he projects as a high-upside player.

Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware

With the Bears’ primary needs being the offensive and defensive lines, I focused on those position groups. To be fair, general manager Ryan Poles and assistant GM Ian Cunningham did a lot of the same.

But when I did watch some of the 1-on-1s involving the running backs and linebackers, Yarns impressed me every time he ran a route and broke free from an opposing defender. Even though the drill is tough for any linebacker, Yarns’ crisp route running and soft hands reminded me of a receiver. He understood how to set his man up and when to slightly alter his body position to fake out the coverage player.

Johnson came from a Detroit Lions team that had a one-two punch at the running back position in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The Bears signed D’Andre Swift to a three-year, $24 million deal last season, and Johnson did overlap with the running back for three seasons in Detroit. But in the first season Johnson called plays, Swift finished with a career-low 99 carries in 14 games played. Jamaal Williams received most of the rushing attempts, 262 rushes for 1,066 yards and 17 touchdowns.

There could have been several reasons why Swift’s production didn’t add up in that final year in Detroit. Still, running back would be a position Poles may dip into, especially since it’s a deep call.

Princely Umanmielen, DE, Ole Miss

The Ole Miss defensive end measured in at 6-foot-4, 264 pounds. He would get the clearance for the physical makeup Allen likes in his edge players.

In the final practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium, Umanmielen went into his toolbox of pass rush moves and let loose. He showcased power, bend off the edge and an effective spin move. The Ole Miss pass rusher would occasionally set up offensive linemen by faking a spin move and then flash speed to get past the block.

Umanmielen played with his hand in the dirt and in a two-point stance while he was at Ole Miss and last season he finished with a career-high 10.5 sacks.