Chicago Bears 2017 NFL Draft Redo: Trade Down Edition

Round 3 | Pick 65 | Chris Wormley, DE, Michigan

At 6’5″ and 298 lbs., Wormley is a perfect edge-setting 5-technique in a 3-4 defense.  He’s powerful, skilled, and has some wiggle in a few rush moves.  Wormley’s twitch is quick enough off the line of scrimmage to wreck the B-Gap, allowing blitzing linebackers to get to the QB untouched.  He’s also strong enough at the point of attack to bull rush a tackle into the passer, or wait to gobble up a running back.

Wormley would start over Mitch Unrein immediately.  He’s faster, stronger, and would provide a boost in pass rush from the DE position opposite Akiem Hicks.

Round 3 | Pick 67 | Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama

Yes, three players from Alabama.  And why not?!  They are consistently one of the best teams in the nation for nearly a decade.  Tim Williams is the type of player that makes Alabama’s defense so dominating.

His NFL.com comparison is perfect for the Chicago Bears, because it’s Leonard Floyd.  While Williams was in some trouble in Alabama, his athleticism could make everyone forget about any question marks.  He’s not quite as explosive as Floyd, but Williams is nonetheless a freakish athlete.  He had nearly 20 sacks the last two years on an absolutely loaded Alabama defense.  In just a few plays it’s readily apparent he is something special.

He abuses tackles with speed, strength, hands, and a dizzying array of pass rush technique.  His jump off the snap is unbelievable.  It would not be surprising to see him get ten sacks in multiple upcoming seasons.

Adding Wormley and Williams increases the Chicago Bears’ ability to get to the opposing QB, and lessons the load on the secondary.  Even if Williams is just a situational rusher, that’s one more starter and one more rotational guy.