Which Bears prospect does Kyle Long like in this year’s draft?
Draft season is officially underway. Fans and analysts alike are throwing in their two cents as to who they think their favorite team should draft. However, it’s not very often that players speak out about prospects.
On Monday, Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long tweeted his thoughts about whom his favorite prospect was.
I try not to watch a ton of college film with guys coming out but the most NFL ready looking dude is Sol Thomas he's has twitch +GM strength
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 20, 2017
He, of course, is talking about Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, who has been rising rapidly in recent months. He could realistically be available when the Bears pick at No. 3.
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Thomas would be the ultimate chess piece in Vic Fangio’s defense. He could line up at four of the positions in the front-seven and excel at all of them. His versatility alone should make him a targent for the Bears.
He weighs 273 pounds, which places him under the “tweener” category. This means that he doesn’t have ideal size for a 3-4 end, but is on the heavy side for an outside linebacker. However, his strength and speed would make him a good fit at either of those positions. These are reflected by his Combine numbers: he ran a 4.69 40-yard dash and benched 30 reps of 225 pounds.
Thomas explodes off the ball with impressive athleticism. With a 126-inch broad jump, a 6.95-second three-cone drill and a 4.28 20-yard shuttle, he is one of the most athletic defensive linemen in the class. His closing speed stands out on tape. He excels as a pass rusher and a run stuffer, which should make him an intriguing option for any team that needs help on the defensive line.
The best thing about him, though, is his incredibly high ceiling. His athleticism and strength is apparent on tape, but he still has room to grow. He has a strong motor and work ethic, so he can only get better as he gets older.
If Thomas is available when the Bears pick, then he should be one of their top choices. He makes up for his relative lack of size with athleticism, strength and an incredible work ethic. As crazy as it sounds, he could possibly end up being the best player in this draft.
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