Instant Chicago Bears stardom predicted for former Iowa State star David Montgomery

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery could be headed for NFL stardom, says one of professional football’s most noted talent evaluators.

Gil Brandt, the NFL’s senior media analyst and Hall of Fame former general manager for the Dallas Cowboys, recently predicted that the former Iowa State star and third-round draft choice of the Bears would rush for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns on 275 carries during his rookie season. He also sees Montgomery catching 30 passes.

Here’s what Brandt said in a story that’s on the nfl.com web site:

“Montgomery could very well be the latest third-round running back to make a splash as a rookie, following in the footsteps of Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt. The Bears paved the way for Montgomery to become a feature back by trading Jordan Howard to the Eagles before the draft.

“The Iowa State product rushed for 1,100-plus yards in each of the past two seasons, and if he slides right in and takes up Howard’s old workload (270 touches in 2018), Montgomery should produce like crazy.

“Montgomery can catch the ball better than I thought, and thus offers a bit more versatility than Howard; he should also be a potent goal-line threat. He has a chance to really thrive in the offense of Matt Nagy, who was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 2017, when Hunt led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards.”

Montgomery was the first Iowa State running back drafted since New Orleans picked Troy Davis in 1997 third round. He was the first Cyclones football player drafted since the New York Jets picked linebacker Jeremiah George in the fifth round in 2014.