6 Linebackers the Chicago Bears Must Consider in 2015 NFL Draft
When you think of the Bears' history, you can't help but evoke the names of Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.
The Bears are known for having franchise-building linebackers and a direct correlation can be drawn from their recent struggles on defense to the current lack of talent at the position.
In this year's draft, the Bears need to identify one or two solid linebackers for their rebuilt defense. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes to run a 3-4 scheme, but he needs speed rushers and stout defenders inside to do it.
Who are the guys the Bears could target in this year's draft? Lucky for them, there are some fun and talented names who should go in the first few rounds. Here are the six best options for the Bears.
Missouri Outside Linebacker Shane Ray
Vic Fangio's scheme is predicated on getting pressure on the quarterback from the outside. He found a great deal of success in San Francisco with Aldon Smith rushing the quarterback. Even fifth-round pick Aaron Lynch had six sacks last season.
As the Bears' roster currently stands, they don't have a speed rusher who can come off the edge. Shea McClellin can hardly be relied upon and Christian Jones is more in the mold of the aforementioned Lynch.
Missouri outside linebacker Shane Ray has to be on the team's radar in the first round. He had 14.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss last season. He presents a problem for left tackles due to his tremendous burst off the snap and great agility to get around tackles.
He's the kind of player who can grow into a very good edge-rusher under the tutelage of Fangio.
TCU Inside Linebacker Paul Dawson
Don't let the 5'10" stature of Paul Dawson fool you. He's a gifted tackler known for making plays and isn't afraid to lay the wood.
Dawson had 128 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, five batted passes and four interceptions last season on a team who arguably should have been in the College Football Playoffs.
Jon Bostic should be a starter at inside linebacker next season but if the Bears do go 3-4 then they really don't have another guy to put next to him.
Dawson and Bostic together would be an awesome tandem of hard hitting guys who will look to fill gaps and jar the football loose.
Where Dawson ends up going in this draft is a complete mystery right now. If he were 6'3" then he's easily a first-round pick but at this point he can go anywhere from the second round to the fourth.
Virginia Outside Linebacker Eli Harold
Eli Harold played defensive end at Virginia but his frame says outside linebacker in the NFL. Harold is a rangy 6'4" 250-pound edge-rusher who could be used as the Bears' joker linebacker.
Last season, Harold had 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He also had two passes batted and an interception.
The speed is there for Harold but it will be nice to see his lateral quickness and ability to drop into coverage at the combine and pro day.
If Harold stays at the weight he's currently at then he could be a nice fit on a defense who will look to show multiple looks and disguise some of their linebackers.
Michigan State Inside Linebacker Taiwan Jones
If the Bears don't feel overly comfortable with Jon Bostic on the inside and aren't happy with Paul Dawson's size then they can look toward Michigan State's Taiwan Jones.
Jones looks the part of an NFL inside linebacker. He's 6'3" and physical enough to shed blockers. Best of all, he holds up in pass coverage, which has been a serious problem for the Bears since Brian Urlacher retired.
Last season, Jones had 12.5 tackles for loss, which is a decent number coming from up the middle. As of now he's probably a two-down linebacker but has the potential to develop into a three-down player.
Mississippi State Inside Linebacker Benardrick McKinney
At 6'5", Benardrick McKinney is a massive, imposing figure who can rush the quarterback from the inside as well as drop into coverage and take on some of the league's bigger tight ends.
What's fun about McKinney is knowing he hasn't even scratched the surface of his potential yet. McKinney can continue on at inside linebacker or put some size on and be a punishing pass-rusher off the edge.
Did you see how the Packers used Clay Matthews this season? That's exactly how future teams including the Bears can use McKinney. He can be used inside and out. McKinney can go after the quarterback or drop back into coverage.
The possibilities are endless under the watchful eye of a guy like Vic Fangio. Drafting McKinney seventh overall is too high so the Bears would likely have to trade back to snag him.
Miami Linebacker Denzel Perryman
Jonathan Vilma and Ray Lewis are both proof The U produces quality middle linebackers. Denzel Perryman is slated to be the next star from Miami.
Last year, Perryman had 110 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, five passes knocked down and an interception. He's likely going to measure out just under 6'0", making his overall coverage skills a concern, but he's still a good football player.
What Perryman does do well is attack the football instinctively and shut down the run. Even with the height disadvantage, Perryman holds up OK in pass coverage and figures to be a three-down starter right away.
Perryman and McKinney figure to be drafted very close together in the mid-to-late first round. If the Bears can somehow up the price on their seventh overall pick to a quarterback-anxious team then maybe they can snag both. How much fun would that be?