Chicago Bears 2020 NFL Draft Preview: Linebacker

If the Chicago Bears need depth at linebacker, who are some players in the 2020 NFL draft to look into?

The last position we will look into before the 2020 NFL draft is linebacker. The Chicago Bears have Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith, so there are more significant needs on the roster. Still, losing Nick Kwiatkoski, and Kevin Pierre-Louis turned this group from a position of strength to one with questions.

Trevathan is injury prone, and all of a sudden, Joel Iyiegbuniwe is in line for snaps if something were to happen.

The Chicago Bears are not going to draft a linebacker in the top 50, that would be a huge surprise given the other needs on the roster. Then, they do not pick until the 5th round.

Below is a list of linebackers who could fall to that range and would be fitting for the Chicago Bears depth chart.

Davion Taylor, Evan Weaver, Joe Bachie, Cam Brown, David Woodward, Markus Bailey, Mykal Walker, Azur Kamara, Justin Strnad, Francis Bernard, Carter Coughlin

Carter Coughlin, Azur Kamara, and Mykal Walker were edge or outside linebackers in college. However, with their size, they will have to play on inside, adjusting to the NFL. Considering these are project players, they are going to slide down boards. Still, Bears need depth at both linebacker spots, and all three would provide special teams value. Keep them in mind in the late rounds.

Markus Bailey, Justin Strnad, and David Woodward are a bit more unknown, as they had injuries to end their senior season. Woodward comes in at just 230 and should be looked at as just a late-round special teams flyer. Bailey has starter upside, but a lengthy injury list. Strnad has been relatively healthy beyond this year but plays an aggressive style of football that is fun to watch but can be out of control as well. Still, with good size, tape, and a better health status, he is the late-round option to keep in mind of this group.

Cam Brown has a lot of upside, but a lot of raw tape to sort through. He is a long, athletic Penn State linebacker, who will fall into day three due to his on-field questions. Francis Bernard is about the exact opposite. He has excellent tape at Utah. However, he is older; he is slow and had a poor combine overall. With those two, it is a pick of your type.

This leaves the three best options, Davion Taylor, Evan Weaver, and Joe Bachie.

Weaver is a bit slower, but has excellent tape, and is faster and younger than a player such as Bernard.  Bachie had an off of the field issue end his career at Michigan State, but it appears to be minor. He has solid tape as well. Bachie was still voted All-Big 10 and a team captain.

Lastly is Taylor, who we profiled here. He has the most physical upside of all and would be a dynamic special teams addition.

Overall, there are plenty of options on day three and all of the reasons in the world to wait on depth at linebacker. Some names could even fall to UDFA.

Names to watch: Davion Taylor, Evan Weaver, Joe Bachie