Chicago Bears Draft Need No. 1: Defensive End
To say the Bears missed Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn down the stretch in 2022 would be an understatement.
Rookie safety Jaquan Brisker leading the team in sacks with 3.5 was a direct indictment of the front seven’s incompetence.
The Bears' inability to win at the line becomes far less baffling when you look at what was on the roster. The unit was frankly bereft of talent.
So far, Chicago has avoided taking on major deals with the defensive ends in free agency. If this trend continues, the Bears will have no choice but to upgrade through the draft.
Possible Targets
Tyree Wilson
Considering Will Anderson Jr. will be off the board by the ninth pick, Wilson being available is probably the Bears’ best-case scenario. He has become the consensus No. 2 end in this class and has a healthy blend of instincts and power.
Wilson has an aggressive and energetic play style that is almost infectious. The Bears' defense is lacking a true spark plug, and it’s hard to think of a better candidate for this job than Wilson.
Lukas Van Ness
The term freakish athlete has become overused in the scouting realm, but in the case of Van Ness, it’s almost an undersell. Running in the 4.5s at nearly 270 pounds is almost unheard of, and the tape tells the same story. Explosion, strength, bend, Van Ness has it all.
Now there are caveats to taking a player who never exceeded 478 snaps in a given season. It remains to be seen if Van Ness can maintain his remarkable efficiency on a higher usage rate. Additionally, his current toolbox is rather limited, as he almost exclusively used the bulk rush.
Regardless, Van Ness has ascended draft boards in recent weeks, and it’s easy to see why. He offers elite athletic ability with the size to play both inside and outside if needed.
Myles Murphy
If the Bears are willing to play the long game, Myles Murphy becomes an interesting play. A highly coveted high school recruit who showed flashes but left many asking for more during his time in college. Murphy has twitch and movement skills that are seldom seen in 275-pound bodies.
However, the further we get into the pre-draft process, the less excited people seem to be about Murphy. Barring a trade back, it seems unlikely he will end up in Chicago.