The other Bears position to watch for change besides offensive line
![All signs point to the Bears finally trying to solve their problem at edge rusher in this draft or free agency. All signs point to the Bears finally trying to solve their problem at edge rusher in this draft or free agency.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4674,h_2629,x_0,y_55/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/bear_digest/01jjsf2t7b058bdke8rg.jpg)
There will be significant roster change with the Bears even if coach Ben Johnson did say he thought the Bears were a sleeping giant.
The giant will keep sleeping unless stirred and the coming additions will help do this.
The area easy to focus on for change with Johnson on offense is the line because of the importance he places on his quarterback and giving him a chance to impact the game through better pass protection.
However, it wasn't so clear on defense what Johnson's emphasis would be. After he spoke last week, it did reveal what players they might focus on the most in this draft and possibly free agency.
Keep an eye on edge rushers and it goes beyond the fact Johnson said they lack "star power" on their defensive line despite the presence of Montez Sweat.
Montez Sweat was top 30 in total pressures of all pass rushers this season (29) with 50.
— Logical Bears Fan (@LogicalBears) January 29, 2025
He was 77th in pass rush snaps.
Good enough for 12th among DL in pressure percentage at 14.7%.
As Johnson said, when describing his philosophy on offense, everything revolves around the quarterback but this also applies on defense. It was critical already in bringing defensive coordinator Dennis Allen when Johnson said, "...whoever we bring in here as defensive coordinator, he's going to understand that that quarterback disruption is something we focus on every week."
Armand Membou, a top player at this years @seniorbowl , could be on The Bears radar if they replace B. Jones
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@JAYChi_Bears) January 29, 2025
The 6'3, 325lb OT out of Mizzou has climbed up draft boards. In '24 w/827 snaps via PFF
-0 sacks/hits
-9 hurries
-90.4 score
Projected 2nd rounder, would you want him? pic.twitter.com/8Sw1QziDep
Allen can build a pass rush. The Saints were top 10 in sacks from 2017-22 under him.
In this regard, the Bears very well could find help in the draft with the pass rush. It's something they haven't done with any amount of success on the edge under GM Ryan Poles, but with some success at defensive tackle in Gervon Dexter.
Even with their need on the offensive line, it would appear this draft could also finally supply sufficient edge rush help for a change.
#Bears DT Gervon Dexter Sr Full 2024 Season Highlights pic.twitter.com/UKiuzG8YkN
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) January 22, 2025
In writing his 30,000-foot view of this draft class, Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema this week observed this about the edge rushers: "On defense, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in several years, dominating the projected top 50."
He does see help available elsewhere on defense later.
"There are also more impact defensive backs this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three days of the draft, specifically on Days 2 and 3," Sikkema wrote.
Much interest nationally has been focused on Penn State's Abdul Carter as the cream of the edge crop, and for good reason. Carter's pass rush in the postseason was so much consistently ahead of what any other individual edge rusher showed for the best teams that it was obvious he's worth a top three pick.
Every sack from Abdul Carter's 2024 season.
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) January 28, 2025
This is not normal for a guy playing full-time EDGE for the first time. pic.twitter.com/bfBYMYKP45
However, there are numerous other edge rusher candidates to focus on before the Bears are done with their third-round pick and they face a gap in their drafting until Round 5 on Day 3.
Georgia's Mykel Williams and Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart are potential top 10 picks, which makes them potential Bears if the absolute best offensive line talent gets drafted before they select at No. 10.
Mykel Williams is this year’s FREAKISH athlete at edge rusher (6’5”, 270lbs, 35” arms).
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) December 20, 2024
He flashed his upside with dominance in both games against Texas, totaling 4 sacks. pic.twitter.com/fj7Nr25KWF
Tennessee's James Pearce, Marshall's Mike Green and Texas A&M's Nic Scourton all rate as first rounders according to the NFL Mock Draft Data Base. The same site's big board has Ohio State's Jack Sawyer and J.T Tuimoloau, Arkansas' Landon Jackson, Mississippi's Princely Umanmielen and Jared Ivey, Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku and South Carolina's Kyle Kennard all rated high enough to go off before the Bears are done drafting on Day 2.
That bend from Boston College edge Donovan Ezeiruaku 🔥#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/BxVZba4dzw
— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) January 29, 2025
Delving into free agency for pass rushers is always dangerous because of the high cost. And while there are players worth signing in this year's group there are reasons to avoid the top four or think they won't even be available. According to PFF's rankings, those include Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick and Malcolm Koonce.
Arkansas ED Landon Jackson
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) December 19, 2024
Every bit of 6’7” with inside-out ability up front. Long, powerful pass-rusher that competes his tail off in the run game as well.
Top 50 lock. pic.twitter.com/QJNY9Zbj5y
There are other edges available at more reasonable prices later in free agency without as much baggage and they're players who would be at a higher level than the patchwork group Poles brought in over the last three years that included Al-Quadin Muhammad, Yannick Ngakoue, Rasheem Green, Taco Charlton, Daniel Hardy, Jake Martin and Darrell Taylor. You don't find many instant pass rushers in Round 5 of the draft or later, and they haven't yet in Austin Booker or Dominique Robinson.
Even DeMarcus Walker, signed as an all-around type of end at a higher price, hasn't dented the sack board.
Princely Umanmielen had a standout performance against Georgia this season.
— kenny g. (@Gritz_Blitz) January 24, 2025
Atheltic, explosive, with bend to turn the corner. When you see him line up wide your tackle better gain depth quick. pic.twitter.com/oiL5EI3USV
There's every reason because of Johnson's thinking and the past success of Allen with edge rushers in New Orleans to think they can solve this perpetual problem.
Consistently disrupting the opposing quarterback is as important as having your own quarterback ready to play in Year 2 of his career and there's every reason to think it can finally happen for the Bears for the first time since Vic Fangio was the coordinator.
I keep saying the one DE prospect that doesn’t get enough 1st round love is Kyle Kennard. He has such explosive off the line and uses a variety of pass rush moves to win. The way he utilizes his length is so fun to watch.
— JONNY 🏈 (@JonnyBengal) January 8, 2025
pic.twitter.com/2XDffLarXV
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