Bears Draft Michigan State Running Back Jeremy Langford
By Chris Emma-
(CBS) The Bears addressed a need with their fourth-round selection in the NFL Draft on Saturday, selecting running back Jeremy Langford out of Michigan State with the 106th overall pick.
"It threw me for a loop," Langford said of being picked by Chicago. "I think I talked to the Bears a couple of times at the Senior Bowl or the Combine. Besides that, this threw me for a loop. I had no idea. I'm glad to be here."
Langford, who stands at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, rushed for 1,522 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2014. The year prior, he booked 1,422 yards and 18 touchdowns. Langford set a Michigan State record for most consecutive 100-yard rushing games with 10 and did the same in 16 straight Big Ten games.
At the NFL Combine in February, Langford was clocked with the fastest 40-yard dash time among running backs, posting a 4.42 mark. However, he's viewed as a back with power, too.
"I can be balanced," Langford said. "I can hit the home run and at the same time get the third and shorts. I feel like I can be used in any situation on third down and be able to catch the ball out of the backfield. I'm very versatile."
In selecting Langford, Chicago has added to a running back depth chart that includes 29-year-old Matt Forte -- playing 2015 on the final year of his deal -- plus Jacquizz Rodgers and Ka'Deem Carey.
Speaking with the Boers and Bernstein Show this week, Forte suggested that talks of a contract extension have broken off for the time being. Should the seven-year veteran see his time in Chicago come to an end after 2015, Langford's presence will be important.
"I watch Matt Forte a lot," Langford said. "That's who I watched. I see him stand up linebackers all the time. I feel like he does it all. He catches the ball out of the backfield very well. He blocks linebackers very well. That's the one I learned a lot watching his film to be able to block linebackers. I feel he like he has the whole package."
Chicago selected West Virginia receiver Kevin White with its seventh overall pick and followed with Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman in the second round and Oregon center Hroniss Grasu in the third round. After Langford was selected, the Bears added safety Adrian Amos out of Penn State. They have the seventh pick of the sixth round still remaining.
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