Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Round 3, Pick 84 – Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Once the Chicago Bears moved on from Roquan Smith, it was apparent the Bears needed to address their linebacker core soon.
And while Jack Sanborn played extraordinarily well his rookie season, the Bears shouldn’t be done looking for linebackers.
Henley isn’t a massive linebacker at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, but he’s extremely athletic in that smaller build.
Daiyan Henley is also a big-time effort guy. Paired up with coach Eberflus’ HITS principle, Henley could be a player that flies off the page during the Chicago Bears’ evaluation period.
NFL scouts trying to sell @WSUCougarFB’s Daiyan Henley will point to fact he’s only played LB since 2020. Lined up at QB, EDGE, WR, SS, nickel, & KR prior to his junior year at Nevada. Looks natural here scraping & closing laterally. @daiyan_henley11 has SL-to-SL range. pic.twitter.com/K4Wqc3DZod
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 19, 2022
The way Henley moves could really help the middle of the defense, as the current Bears’ unit took a hit once Roquan got traded.
Jack Sanborn played well and should be praised for doing so, but it’d be malpractice to try riding that wave for another season.
Whether they attack the position in free agency or the draft, a linebacker needs to find their way to Halas Hall.
And Daiyan Henley would be a great addition.