The Chicago Bears are going to be scouting all season long. When key positions need upgrades, it is really hard to take a step as an organization.
One of the college football games that general manager Ryan Poles and his staff must be watching this week is between Iowa and No. 16 Iowa State. These two interstate rivals promise to give fans an intense matchup loaded with elite NFL-caliber prospects who hate each other on the field.
Can the Bears find what they are looking for in terms of high-end picks? Well, there is a lot of football that needs to be played to make those types of decisions. These two players, one from each team, stick out above the rest heading into this matchup.
Dominique Orange, DL, Iowa State
Dominique Orange, the man known as “Big Citrus,” is proving to be one of the better pass disruptors in college football. He made a name for himself with his great play during Iowa State’s big game against Kansas State in Dublin to begin the season. The Bears have some decent players on the defensive line, led by Montez Sweat, but they don’t have enough game-breakers. We don’t know if Orange will be that guy in the NFL, but we do know that he has a lot of time to prove himself this college season. If Orange can make Iowa’s offense uncomfortable for four quarters on Saturday, the Cyclones will have a chance to beat one of their biggest rivals.
Jennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
For Iowa, they have a few players that they need to step up if they want to stop Orange from being a difference maker. One of them is Jennings Dunker, who is currently at right tackle. The Bears need help at left tackle, but drafting someone like Dunker can help them. There is hope that Darnell Wright or Ozzy Trapilo might make the switch to the left, leaving room for someone on the right side. Having multiple bodies capable of being impact players on the offensive line is a key to being a great football team. Dunker isn’t going to be drafted in one of the first two or three rounds, so Ryan Poles may be able to snag a player like him later in the draft. Dunker himself could become a left tackle in his own right, which would make him that much more valuable. If Dunker has a good showing against a powerful defensive line presented by Iowa State, that will improve his stock even more, which makes him even more must-see.
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