Chicago Bears first round big board, spoiler: no QBs
By Peter Jurich
Chicago Bears Draft Board: 10) Bryan Bresee, DT Clemson
Another explosive player from Clemson’s defense, Bresee is a fierce interior rusher who has the size and length to create problems for NFL offensive lines. At 6’5″ and 300 lbs, Bresee recorded nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 25 games for the Tigers.
Bresee has a couple of red flags, mainly an ACL tear two seasons ago that cut his season short, but with incredible weight room statistics and a size that almost forces opposing teams to double him, he should be a game-wrecker from almost any position in a four-down defensive scheme. Look for Bresee to go in the top 10 or 15 in a draft loaded with defensive line talent.
NFL Comp: Leonard Williams
Honorable Mention: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Ohio State
The latest Ohio State receiver to go to the NFL Draft, Smith-Njigba has the traits of a versatile true number-one receiver who can stretch the field and find open pockets in the defense’s coverage. At 6’1″ and 200 lbs, Smith-Njigba has a great combination of size and speed that makes him a reliable weapon in pretty much every NFL scheme.
There are some injury concerns, as the receiver sat out of the back end of Ohio State’s season, including their playoff loss to Georgia, but when healthy, the receiver was one of the most dynamic players in college and served as a constant threat for multiple seasons for the Buckeyes. Projected as a top-20 pick, Smith-Njigba could very well have a similar, if not better, career than any receiver drafted above him, and would be a nice fit with Justin Fields, as the two were teammates back in 2020.