The Chicago Bears’ need at pass-rusher is as clear as day. Unfortunately, it appears as though the draft’s top pass-rushing prospect isn’t going to fall into the Bears’ laps when they are on the clock with the No. 8 pick.
North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb is the draft’s top prospect at the position, but is expected to be off the board when it’s the Bears’ turn to choose.*
*It’s too bad that Chubb will probably be long gone by the time it’s Chicago’s turn, but it still feels very likely. Chubb could go as early as No. 2 to the New York Giants, or perhaps even to one of the teams picking after the expected run on quarterbacks ends, but before Chicago gets a chance to choose. That means the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers will end up with Chubb before Bears fans could even conjure up the dream scenario of his name being called by Roger Goodell in conjunction with the eighth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Obviously, Chubb isn’t the only pass-rusher available in the draft. It’s just that he’s the best. But since Chubb will most likely be drafted earlier than Bears fans would like, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah offered up an alternative to their pass-rushing problems:
He could fall to the mid-20s, though. Davenport is a player to keep an eye on. Quality athlete with size and upside. Just the way GM Ryan Pace seems to like ‘em.
— The Ten-Yard Line (@TheTenYardLine) April 23, 2018
Davenport is PFF’s No. 3 edge rusher prospect and comes with a first-round grade, which is impressive because players from the University of Texas-San Antonio aren’t often included in the top-tier of draft prospects. Davenport checked in in at 6-6 and 264 pounds with long arms (33-5/8 inches) and big hands (9-1/8 inches) while at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Over at the Combine, Davenport showed off the athleticism that solidified his standing as a first-round prospect. He ran the 40-yard dash in an impressive 4.58 seconds, and it sure would be something to see that speed on display as he chased the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Matthew Stafford.
It’s not as if Davenport isn’t without his flaws. His NFL.com draft profile lists plenty of weaknesses that suggest he’s still a work in progress. But even though Davenport isn’t in Chubb’s class, he plays a premier position and it could push him up draft boards.
And with that in mind, Davenport to the Bears could make some sense. He satiates a need and appears to fit the kind of prospect-type GM Ryan Pace has eyes for in the first-round (i.e. he has all the tools, but could use some help fitting them all in the toolbox).