Chicago Bears: Predicted Roles for 2016 Draft Picks
OLB Leonard Floyd, Georgia, First Round (ninth overall)
It’s pretty obvious that the Bears had Leonard Floyd high on their list of prospects. Chicago actually traded up two spots to No. 9 to draft the speedy pass rusher, probably to prevent the New York Giants from snagging him at the 10th overall pick. Leonard will be a welcomed addition to an already improved linebacking corps featuring newly acquired players Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman.
As of right now, it’s pretty safe to say that both Pernell McPhee and Lamarr Houston will be the potential starters at outside linebacker on opening day. That leaves Sam Acho and Willie Young as the primary competition for Floyd. A month ago, Acho re-signed with the Bears, agreeing on a one-year deal. As for Young, who’s in the final year of his contract, did flourish in the latter part of the 2015 season by recording 5.5 sacks in the final seven games. But Young has made it clear that he’d prefer to play defensive end rather than outside linebacker.
Regardless of how things play out with Young this season, Floyd will definitely have a significant role in the Bears’ rotation among the linebackers. Leading up to the draft, Floyd drew a lot of comparisons to Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Aldon Smith, who played under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio while with the San Francisco 49ers. If Fangio can groom Floyd just like he did with Smith, then we could possibly see Floyd starting in 2017.
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