Ryan Poles nets 10 picks in this Chicago Bears 2022 Mock Draft

The Chicago Bears look to add youth at the linebacker position

This offseason will be an interesting one when it comes to the Bears’ linebackers. Now running a 4-3 defense, one would have to assume that Eberflus will deploy both Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn at defensive end instead of outside linebacker. Those two should not drop into coverage but instead rush the passer.

That leaves Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan as the team’s primary linebackers, and the latter may end up being cut. The Bears will need to revamp their linebacking core if that’s the case.

Appalachian State’s D’Marco Jackson would be one heck of a pick here in the fifth round. The 6-foot linebacker is a bit small but would fit well on the outside. He possesses sideline-to-sideline speed and can get to his gaps quickly. He’s also a sure tackler. In the fifth round, you can’t get much better than a player like this.

Last season, Jackson had his best year yet. he totaled a whopping 119 tackles including 20 for a loss — twenty! Jackson tallied 6.0 sacks, five passes defensed, an interception and a forced fumble as well in 2021. This is one example of a smaller program player who could have the chance to come in and start immediately.