The Chicago Bears have needs across the board and will be looking everywhere to fill holes in the 2023 NFL draft. One area they have to look into is the linebacker position. Even with Jack Sanborn emerging, the team is losing Nicholas Morrow, so they need a reliable partner next to the second year UDFA.
Sanborn fell in the draft because while his run defense is solid, he has issues in coverage. Who are some solid coverage linebackers that could pair well with Jack Sanborn?
Chicago Bears best linebacker options
Dorian Williams, Tulane
Dorian Williams was one of the stars in the middle of the Tulane defense that went on to have a magical season. It is easy to see why Williams has such an impact. He is big and has a range that takes away throwing lanes to the middle of the field. With passing increasing in that area, the role Williams has could get more and more valuable. For Williams, he is not the stoutest run defender, which makes him perfect to pair with Jack Sanborn. This could be a nice match.
SirVocea Dennis, Pitt
The same can be said for SirVocea Dennis, who would have been asked to play safety in the NFL about 10-15 years ago. The NFL combine will be important for him to check thresholds regarding his size. He checked in over 6' at the Senior Bowl, but was under 220 pounds, at 218. The Chicago Bears can help him in the run game with Sanborn, but that is a bit small. Was he able to bulk up a bit this month, and does that weight affect his drills? Or does he just look to fly with great speed at a lean size?
Daiyan Henley, Washington State
Daiyan Henley is a former wide receiver, so it is safe to say that he knows how to match up in coverage, but he is not quite adjusted to defending in the box. He is almost a hybrid player who you match up on tight ends or big slot wideouts. Once again, we know why this is fit for the Chicago Bears. What is his athletic upside if he is going to be guarding some of the most special athletes on the field? That probably will matter.
DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
DeMarvion Overshown fits right in as a former safety. Even at Texas with the spread offenses you saw the Longhorns look to get him out of the box at times. So, questions will come down to how physical he can be, how he would pair with Sanborn, and what his athletic upside holds.
Shaka Heyward, Duke
There are reports that Shaka Heyward is going to be a huge winner of the NFL combine. He is a long and rangy athletic linebacker who may not have been able to show off all of his gears at Duke. He is expected to have strong numbers in all of the athletic drills, so now teams will need to wonder if the tape is there to match it.