Chicago Bears NFL Combine News: Defensive Line Winners and Losers

The Chicago Bears have a lot of work to do this offseason, and a huge portion of heavy lifting is done at the NFL combine. One position that had to have eyes on is the defensive line. Who were the standouts, and which players will glide down the boards?

Jalen Carter, Georgia

It is hard to say with Jalen Carter as the biggest thing to impact his draft stock will be meetings behind closed doors. However, you can say that this is not how he saw his biggest job interview going. Still, if any player impacts the Chicago Bears where they stand it is Carter. The question is, does Ryan Poles see this is a mistake by a young kid with a costly penalty, or a habitual issue that describes the person he is?

Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Breese had an excellent 2020 season, was injured in 2021, and tried to rebound but did not have as good of a 2022 season. He answered a lot of questions due to athletic testing and appeared to be a winner in the interviews. His stock may be back up.

Mazi Smith, Michigan

Mazi Smith did not test and was in the group with Jalen Carter that was not in the media portion. His stock may not have dropped, but he did nothing to bring it up.

Gervon Dexter, Florida

Dexter runs hot and cold, but showed that his upside when he runs hot can be an elite level player.

Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

Kancey ran and had a 40-yard dash that may solidify him in the top 50. However, he only ran the 40 and opted out of everything else, and his arm length is below almost any threshold.

Siaki Ika, Baylor

If the Chicago Bears are looking for a nose tackle. Ika has the size to plug a hole.

Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

Keeanu Benton was a clear winner from this weekend. He profiled as more of a nose tackle in college but showed he has some pass-rushing juice as well.

Zacch Pickens, South Carolina

Zacch Pickens was a high level athlete who did not play up to his standing. Still, he showed he still has that burst in him.

Byron Young, Alabama

Byron Young would be a nice additon for a three-technique if the team does not get a big-name guy early. He could complement Justin Jones and give them a decent duo.

Moro Ojomo,Texas

Ojomo had a solid week and showed that he could be a 3-technique in the Chicago Bears scheme.

Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma

Jalen Redmond may be the big winner of the NFL combine. His tape is up and down, but he showed that when you catch the ups it does not get better.

Keondre Coburn, Texas

The big question with Coburn will come down to length, who is a short and stout nose tackle.

Jaquelin Roy, LSU

Roy had a solid week. For his role, he could have been heavier, and the team would have him in the 1-technique rather than the 3-technique, but he also had a solid overall week.

Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State

Silvera was good at the NFL combine and passed another test, showing he can be a stout 1-technique in the

Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State

Lacy played more on the edge, but in the NFL he will have to transition to 3-technique. That may help the Chicago Bears, but needless to say, it brings questions to his profile.

Cameron Young, Mississippi State

Cameron Young plays up and down the line and could be a versatile piece. He did not have the best weekend, but also came away with minimal red flags.

Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina

Clar showed enough juice that a team will take a chance on his huge size as a nose tackle.

DJ Dale, Alabama

DJ Dale did not show much athleticsm, and does not have the size to be overpowering. He is a late round pick.

PJ Mustipher, Penn State

Mustipher had a bad weekend athletcially, and may fall down boards.