If everything goes according to plan, the Bears will trade out of the No. 1 spot in the NFL draft and lock up additional capital for general manager Ryan Poles to help retool the roster.
But if the Bears trade out of first overall — and fall too far — it would put them out of the reach of Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., highly regarded as the top prospect in the draft.
If Anderson is off the table, one name to watch is Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson, who could be available in that 4-9 range should Chicago trade back.
Wilson has already met with the Bears twice during the pre-draft process. When speaking to the media during Wednesday’s session at the NFL Scouting Combine, Wilson praised the entire Bears staff.
“Great energy,” Wilson said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Love the coaches. Love the GM. They got great coaches and I would be excited to play for the Bears.”
Wilson won’t participate in work outs at the combine as he’s recovering from foot surgery in November. So Wilson stated his case for why the Bears should want him on their team.
“I’m a great worker and I’m passionate about football,” Wilson said. “I’m going to take the organization to another level.”
When Bears head coach Matt Eberflus was asked about what he’s looking for in a defensive lineman, he pointed to being big, long and fast. Wilson certainly fits the bill, and he’s also someone who’s passionate about the game, another thing Eberflus is looking for.
“If they draft me, I’ll bring everybody along in this draft class,” Wilson said. “I’ll be a future face of the franchise and soon be a leader of the defense.”
That’s what the Bears would be counting on.
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