Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Draft: Post NFL Combine DE/DT rankings

Chicago Bears Prospect No. 3: Nolan Smith, EDGE | Georgia

I talk about production over anything else a lot. Nolan Smith's athleticism would make him the best off-ball linebacker in this class if that were the position he played. I question if he should remain my number three, but ever since Hasson Riddick was moved from ILB to edge rusher, he has been unstoppable (minus the Super Bowl). Some guys are meant to be pass rushers. Smith's run defense as a prospect is better than Leonard Floyd's. So Smith will become a dominant edge-setter while he works on his QB production. 

Chicago Bears Prospect No. 4: Tuli Tuipulotu, DE | USC

Tuli Tuipulotu is a player I have been watching since 2020. I love the name; that caught my eye when watching his production output. I thought he would make a good 3T all year, but I learned he should be on the outside. When Tuipulotu was listed at 290 pounds, he was the perfect 3T. He shrunk to 266 pounds at the combine (go figure). Imagine if a team had him on one side and Smith on the other: speed and power.

Tuipulotu plays with excellent technique and hand usage. Teaching him new things would be fine. Experience and tackling angles are the only things he needs to learn. I won't lie; he is listed this high somewhat because he still would make a good 3T if he was 280 pounds, but he still makes a good prospect as a run-defending pass-rusher.