NEWSLETTER
It’s time for the next step of the Chicago Bears’ offseason of talent acquisition: The 2020 NFL Draft. We’re going to look at some of the best prospects at various positions of interest leading up to the draft in search of fits for the Bears’ needs.
Previous: Quarterbacks, Safeties, Wide receivers, Cornerbacks, Tight ends, Offensive line, Edge defender, Running back
Today’s position: Linebackers
Need: Low
Currently on the Roster (2019 Pro Football Focus Grade):
• Danny Trevathan (61.9)
• Roquan Smith (52.4)
• Joel Iyiegbuniwe (42.1)
• Josh Woods
BN’s Composite Ranking
Ranking prospects is difficult, in part, because no one publication has the same set of fundamentals or preferences. In an attempt to work through that noise, we’re using a composite ranking based on opinions from PFF, ESPN, CBS Sports, and Walter Football and adapting them to a points scale. The best of the top-10 prospects gets 10 points, the 10th ranked prospect gets 1, and prospects outside the top-10 get 0. From there, the prospects are ranked by total points.
Here’s how the linebackers stack up (points in parenthesis):
1) Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (40)
2) Patrick Queen, LSU (34)
3) Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma (32)
4) Zack Baun, Wisconsin (28)
5) Troy Dye, Oregon (22)
6) Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State (17)
7) Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State (15)
8) Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech (10)
8) Logan Wilson, Wyoming (10)
10) Malik Harrison, Ohio State (9)
Best of the rest: Jacob Phillips (LSU), Markus Bailey (Purdue), Anfernee Jennings (Alabama), Joe Bachie (Michigan State), Davion Taylor (Colorado), David Woodward (Utah State)
Team Fit
The Bears’ depth at inside linebacker took a hit at the outset of the offseason when Nick Kwiatkoski (Las Vegas) and Kevin Pierre-Louis (Washington) left as free agents. And while their special teams roles figure to be filled by the likes of Barkevious Mingo and Jordan Lucas, their spots on the linebacker depth chart have yet to be filled. Joel Iyiegbuniwe and Jordan Woods are in line to step into the roles left behind by Kwiatkoski and Pierre-Louis, but that leaves two spots vacated by the players moving up the depth chart. Ultimately, the need at this position is low, but not non-existent.
Most Likely to be Available When the Bears Are on the Clock:
Anyone who isn’t in the Isaiah Simmons, Patrick Queen, Kenneth Murray grouping of linebackers will be available for the Bears (and the other 31 teams) to draft at various points throughout draft weekend.
The Bears Have Reportedly Met With…
• Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State (Senior Bowl)
• Michael Pinckney, Miami (East-West Shrine Game
• Davion Taylor, Colorado (Video)
• Evan Weaver, California (Video)
• Logan Wilson, Wyoming (Senior Bowl)
If I Had to Pick One:
Because Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan are entrenched as starters, finding an inside linebacker for the Bears to draft isn’t a high priority. Should the team feel the need to select one in the later rounds, Wyoming’s Logan Wilson might be a prospect who checks some boxes.
Wilson was an Associated Press All-American third team member as a senior who earned All-Mountain West honors in each of his four years at Wyoming. The accolades include first-team All-Mountain West in 2019, an honorable mention as a junior in 2018, second-team in 2017, and the conference’s Freshman of the Year award winner in 2016. That’s an impressive pile of accolades. Wilson picked up at least 94 total tackles in each of his four years at Wyoming, but also finished his career with 10 interceptions, 14 passes defended, 7 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.
Scouting services and mock draft creators have Wilson going anywhere between the third and fifth rounds. If the Bears fill needs elsewhere earlier, then I can envision Wilson filling the role of core special teams contributor and depth linebacker with room to grow.
