Windy City Gridiron
We’re in the midst of another WCG roundtable!
A few of us at WCG are running through a Chicago Bears, draft-centric roundtable, and we’re on to topic number three.
Today’s question: Who is the one defensive lineman you want the Bears to draft?
Here are our picks.
Jacob Infante: Michigan’s Kenneth Grant would be the dream for me. Contrary to popular belief, Andrew Billings has been a more efficient pass rusher than run stopper with the Bears, and Gervon Dexter is better against the pass, as well. In my eyes, what their defensive line needs is one more gap-eater who can pair with the aforementioned two and Grady Jarrett. Grant is a sturdy 1-technique with a low center of gravity, powerful hands, a high motor, and impressive size-adjusted athleticism. He has pass-rushing upside to work with going forward, and he should be an immediate upgrade in run support.
Mongo Peanut: Michigan’s Mason Graham is the type of player who is above average at everything. You can leave him out there for an entire game, and he will rarely make mistakes and will find a way to make positive impacts play in and play out. While there are flashier players, Graham would immediately stabilize a line that can be far too variable at times.
Bryan Orenchuk: Kenneth Grant is my favorite target at DL, and it isn’t close. A stud run stuffer with a strong pass rushing arsenal, he’d be a long-term fixture on our line for years to come, terrorizing the NFCN.
Taylor Doll had an incredible convo with former Wolverine and longtime NFL offensive lineman Jon Jansen about the Michigan prospects that you can check out in the video below or on our 2nd City Gridiron podcast channel.
Josh Sunderbruch: Ashton Gillotte (Louisville), who I think is being slept on and could be available at 148 or with a small trade-up using either of the 7th-rounders. He’s got power and explosiveness, even if he doesn’t have elite speed. I can very easily see him as a depth piece in the NFL for his first two years, followed by a surge where he seems to have come out of nowhere.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: Arkansas’ Landon Jackson really popped up on my radar after his explosive performance at the NFL Combine. Watching his tape, you see a high-motor prospect still learning to use his athleticism to his advantage as a pass rusher. He’d be a nice fit for Dennis Allen’s defense on day two and should blossom with coaching into an eventual starter.
Now it’s your turn, which d-lineman do you hope the Bears will come out of the draft with?
In case you missed it, we hit on running back and offensive line already.
