The Senior Bowl is always a key date on the NFL scouting calendar, but for the Chicago Bears, it’s more than just a showcase - it’s a proving ground. General Manager Ryan Poles has leaned heavily on this event in past years to help shape his draft board, and with the Bears coming off a strong 2025 draft class, the pressure is on to keep that momentum rolling.
This year, there’s a new wrinkle: head coach Ben Johnson and his staff are in Mobile, Alabama, taking a front-row seat in the evaluation process. Johnson, known for his offensive creativity and commitment to physical football, is getting hands-on with the scouting effort. After three days of practices, a handful of prospects have started to separate themselves - and don’t be surprised if some of these names are called when the Bears are on the clock in April.
Let’s break down the standouts - and which Bears coach might be pounding the table for them in the war room.
Ben Johnson: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
If you’ve watched Ben Johnson’s offenses over the years, one thing is clear: he wants to run the football with authority. That’s where Mike Washington Jr. comes in.
At 6'2", 205 pounds, Washington brings a rare blend of size, burst, and balance. He’s the kind of back who doesn’t waste movement - he hits the hole with purpose and finishes with power.
In Mobile, he’s been the clear standout among the running backs, showing off soft hands in the passing game and the kind of contact balance that keeps drives alive. Johnson values versatility in his backs, and with nearly 1,300 total yards and nine touchdowns last season, Washington checks a lot of boxes. He’s not just a bruiser - he’s a weapon.
Thomas Brown (OC): Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
Before becoming the offensive coordinator in Chicago, Thomas Brown cut his teeth coaching tight ends - and it shows in the way he evaluates the position. Enter Tanner Koziol, a 6'7" pass-catching machine who’s been the most consistent tight end in Mobile this week.
Koziol’s college production speaks volumes: 237 catches, 2,234 yards, and 24 touchdowns. That’s not just volume - that’s reliability.
While he’s not going to wow anyone with his blocking, his ability to win contested catches and create mismatches downfield makes him a valuable chess piece in the passing game. In a league where tight ends are more important than ever, Koziol’s stock is rising - and Brown is likely taking notice.
Antwaan Randle El (WR Coach): Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati
Don’t let the size fool you - Cyrus Allen might be 5'11", 180 pounds, but he plays with the confidence and polish of a seasoned pro. He’s one of the cleanest route runners in this year’s class, and in Mobile, he’s been consistently creating separation against some of the best corners in the country.
What sets Allen apart isn’t just his quickness or footwork - it’s his nose for the end zone. With 13 touchdowns last season, he showed he can finish drives, not just stretch the field.
He scores in a variety of ways, and that versatility makes him a dream fit for a coach like Randle El, who knows how to maximize his receivers’ strengths. Allen may not be the biggest name in the class, but he’s a technician - and that matters on Sundays.
Dennis Allen (DC): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
If you’re trying to figure out what kind of defensive linemen Dennis Allen likes, look no further than Lee Hunter. At 330 pounds, Hunter is a mountain of a man - but it’s his explosiveness and raw power that are turning heads in Mobile. He’s been tossing offensive linemen around all week, showing off both upper- and lower-body strength that’s hard to coach.
Allen has always prioritized power in the trenches, and Hunter fits that mold to a T. He’s not just a space-eater - he’s a tone-setter. The Bears need more muscle and disruption in the middle, and Hunter looks like someone who could step in and make an impact early.
Dan Roushar (OL Coach): Gennings Dunker, IOL, Iowa
Roushar has a type - and Gennings Dunker fits it. The Iowa lineman is big, physical, and plays with the kind of edge that offensive line coaches love. He’s played both right tackle and right guard, but his future likely lies inside, where his power and awareness can shine.
Dunker isn’t the most fleet-footed blocker, but he’s technically sound and plays with a high football IQ. In one-on-one drills, he’s shown he can anchor in pass protection and generate movement in the run game. Roushar, who helped develop some maulers in New Orleans, knows the value of a smart, nasty interior lineman - and Dunker is exactly that.
Al Harris (DB Coach): Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
When it comes to corners, Al Harris looks for two things: length and ball skills. Davison Igbinosun checks both boxes. At 6'2", 195 pounds, he’s got the frame to match up with big receivers, and he’s shown throughout the week that he can hang with anyone in coverage.
Igbinosun’s résumé includes four interceptions over the past two seasons and a key role in Ohio State’s national championship run. He’s physical at the line, fluid in transition, and has the kind of instincts that can’t be taught. The fact that he’s been compared to Charvarius Ward - who Harris coached in Kansas City - only strengthens the case that this is “his guy.”
Ryan Poles (GM): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Every year, Ryan Poles seems to find one player at the Senior Bowl who becomes “his guy.” In 2023, it was Darnell Wright. In 2026, it might just be Max Iheanachor.
The Arizona State tackle has been one of the buzzier names in Mobile, thanks to his blend of athleticism, size, and controlled aggression. He’s got the kind of frame that makes scouts take notice, and he plays with the edge that Poles has consistently valued in his linemen. Whether the Bears are looking for a swing tackle or grooming a future starter, Iheanachor looks like someone who could fill that role - and do it well.
Final Thoughts
The Bears are doing their homework in Mobile - and they’re doing it with purpose. With a coaching staff that knows what it wants and a front office that’s shown it can identify talent, Chicago is setting itself up for another impactful draft.
The names above aren’t just standouts - they’re potential fits. And if history is any indication, at least one of them will be wearing navy and orange come fall.