Chicago Bears 2020 NFL Draft Preview: EDGE

Who are options at edge rusher the Chicago Bears could draft?

As we go through a position by position preview of potential draft options for the Chicago Bears, we have gotten to edge rusher. The Bears added Robert Quinn and Barkevious Mingo, so this may not be the biggest need for them. However, Mingo should not move the needle, and they need depth at the position.

Plus, if the best player were to fall, they could grab an edge rusher.

When looking at the average draft position from all mock drafts, these players are consistently drafted before pick 43. It would take a hard fall for these players to get to the Bears.

Chase Young, K’Lavon Chaisson, Yetur Gross-Matos, A.J. Epenesa

Round 2 Options:

While they would likely look to other needs, the players that consistently get drafted in the area where the Chicago Bears pick in the second round are listed below. If any of these players are on the Bears radar, they would need to take them in the top 50.

Terell Lewis, Julian Okwara, Curtis Weaver, Josh Uche, Jonathan Greenard

We wrote about Greenard, and whether he could be an addition, and Uche after he performed well in the Senior Bowl.

Okwara and Lewis might have been round one options if it were not for injury. It would be hard to sell the case for either of them to Chicago, although both have high upside, and Pace could be appealed to that.

Weaver had a good combine and played off of the ball in space, as well as a pass rusher. The Bears could argue his versatility makes him an addition to Robert Quinn more than a backup, and he also could provide linebacker depth. Of this group, Weaver may be the most likely, unless Pace is enthralled with the injured players.

Likely Miss out on

These players go below pick 90 when looking at every mock draft recorded. However, they also go before pick 150. It would take a drastic fall, a trade-up, or a trade down for these players to be on the Bears radar.

Bradlee Anae, Jabari Zuniga, Darrell Taylor, Khalid Kareem, Alton Robinson, Anfernee Jennings, Kenny Wilekes, Alex Highsmith

Round 5-6 Options

Below is the list of players who go on average in the Bears range for rounds five and six. If the Bears want to add depth on the edge, these may be their best options.

Casey Toohill, Jonathan Garvin, Trevis Gipson, DJ Wonnum

Toohil is an edge rusher/linebacker. He may catch Pace’s eye because he is an older prospect, and could contribute right away, but also because he can add depth to both positions. Pace also is going to love that he tested well at the combine. If Pace takes shots on defensive players late, they have to be high-end athletes.

Garvin is another top-end athlete, and unlike Toohill, he is only going to be 21 during his rookie season. He has length and looks the part, but has not shown any consistent tape yet. He would not be a surprise here.

Gipson played more 3-4 defensive end in college but will transition to the edge in the NFL. His projection slides him to Day three, but he has the upside that Pace will look to.

Wonnum is going to get drafted due to his special team’s ability and has the athletic upside to get on the field.

Round 7 Options

 Derrek Tuszka, Oluwole Betiku, James Smith-Williams

Betiku did not get a combine invite, but is a former top high school recruit, and went to Illinois. Smith-Williams is another 3-4 defensive end who may shift to the edge. His athletic upside and run-stuffing ability can get him on the field, which is a value at round seven. Lastly, is Tuszka from North Dakota State. He lacks length and relies on speed, but his tested athleticism is legitimate for the NFL. A late-round, small school athlete sounds like a round seven pick from Ryan Pace.

We have Tuszka mocked to the Bears in our latest mock.

Round 2: Terrell Lewis, Jonathan Greenard

Round 5-6: Jonathan Garvin, D.J. Wonnum 

Round 7: Derrek Tuszka, James Smith-Williams