Each week here at Bear Goggles On, we’ll take a look at the top 5 players at each position that the Chicago Bears should target in the 2014 NFL Draft. This week it’s arguably the number one need for the team — defensive tackle.
It’s no secret that General Manager Phil Emery and the Bears desperately need to address the defense in this year’s draft. Luckily for them, this year’s class is chock full of starter-worthy linemen who can help salvage the league’s worst run defense and one of the worst overall defenses in franchise history.
Don’t expect too many surprises on this list — defensive tackle is a position in which the Bears need to simply draft the best player available, regardless of which scheme(s) they may prefer or have more experience playing in:
Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (8) reacts to a play against the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
1 — Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
Jernigan has been the consensus mock draft pick among the “experts” so far this offseason, and rightfully so. He is the elite-level three-technique defensive tackle that the Bears desperately need and can cause the chaos and disruption to allow his teammates to get to ball carrier. Regardless of the defensive scheme the Bears choose to play in 2014, Jernigan would fit nicely in the system and would alleviate the pressure for the team to have to re-sign Henry Melton and/or Jeremiah Ratliff. He’s an absolute no-brainer if he’s still available at #14 for the Bears.