Expert Ranks Bears 5th-Best Fit Between Pick and Team of 2019 Draft

Having a successful draft isn’t just about picking talented players. One of the things that make football so difficult is about finding talented players who also fit your schemes. This is something plenty of general managers fail to grasp. Ryan Pace has continually shown he is one that does. Just look at the Chicago Bears David Montgomery selection.

The team traded Jordan Howard, a former Pro Bowl running back this offseason. On the surface it was hard to make sense of. He still ran for over 900 yards last season and nine touchdowns. Sure, he wasn’t averaging nearly as well as the previous two years but was his fit in Matt Nagy’s system really that poor?

Apparently so. That’s why they traded up to grab the Iowa State standout in the 3rd round. A pick that earned high praise from former player and scout Bucky Brooks of NFL.com. One he ranked the fifth-best fit between player and team of the entire draft.

“Coach Matt Nagy upgraded the Bears’ RB1 position when he snagged Montgomery with a third-round pick. The Iowa State standout is a crafty three-down back with outstanding balance, body control and stop-start quickness.

Additionally, Montgomery displays exceptional route-running ability and receiving skills out of the backfield, which makes him a dangerous weapon in a Bears offense that’s designed to get the ball into the hands of playmakers in space.”

Chicago Bears David Montgomery pick draws lots of comparisons

A lot of other experts weren’t willing to dive all the way in on Montgomery. While most agreed he is a good running back, he lack of pure speed is a big reason he wasn’t drafted higher. Some even went so far as to say he’s nothing more than another version of Howard.

Yet the comparisons that have surfaced lately offer a different idea. Popular ones include Kareem Hunt and Michael Turner. Both former Pro Bowlers. Another floated around was Le’Veon Bell.

Nothing is a guarantee in the NFL but it’s clear Montgomery has plenty of fans in the draft community. Usually that is a pretty good sign he has a chance to be a good football player for the Bears. Especially since he seems to fit what they do so well.