The Chicago Bears invested a lot of money into their front seven in free agency this offseason. Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan should immediately improve this unit. But why stop there? With John Fox entering his second season as head coach and looking to add more pass-rushers, Chicago should continue to bolster its defense, which finished just 20th in the NFL in points allowed per game (24.8) last season and 18th in sacks (34.0).
That is why ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd would be a good fit for the Bears in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft.
"I'll probably keep it there," Kiper said when asked about Chicago's pick in his next mock draft. "There's been talk of Leonard Floyd going one pick earlier to the New York Giants, so we'll se how that all plays out. If he's gone, maybe an offensive lineman, we'll see what direction it goes in regarding this football team. But a pass-rusher is certainly something they could look at. They also could consider offensive line and cornerback.
"But if Floyd is there, I really don't have him rated that high, but a lot of people in the league like him. Our own [ESPN NFL Analyst] Tedy Bruschi has a high grade on him and said he loves everything he sees from Leonard Floyd. I didn't think he maximized that ability week in and week out at Georgia. He needs to get stronger in the weight room. But he's a talent, and if he's there at No. 11, certainly he would be under consideration."
Floyd totaled 72 tackles last season with 8.5 for a loss and 4.5 sacks. In 37 collegiate games, he has posted 182 total tackles, 17.0 sacks and five forced fumbles. NFL scouts are enamored with his length and athleticism, which enable him to cover more ground at the second level. However, his slight frame is of some concern as he sometimes struggles to shed blocks and make plays in the backfield.
But given the lack of rangy linebackers who can also get after opposing QBs, Floyd is all but assured to go in the first-half of the first-round, according to Kiper.
"If he doesn't go to Chicago, he is going to go somewhere in the top 15," he said. "He's a highly coveted player right now because there are very few edge pass-rushers in this draft. Finding edge pass-rushers is not easy.
"He put on the weight. He played at 230 pounds to 235 pounds at Georgia and he got bigger as the season progressed, and looked bigger at the combine and his pro day. He tested out tremendously athletic. He is one of the best athletes among the linebackers in this draft. When you go back and look at the tape, he does flash. I think the scheme in college may have prevented him from having more production. At times he shows physicality, other times he plays with more finesse. So like I said - there isn't consistent performance week to week with Leonard Floyd. To me, he is kind of a roll of the dice that early, but you are rolling the dice on talent, which is a good thing to do."
Fox was spoiled with a handful of playmaking linebackers in Denver, so it would make sense for him to build a similar corps in Chicago. Floyd doesn't come without his question marks, but he does have a ton of upside that could make the Bears look really smart in a couple of years. While there are other avenues Chicago could explore to add a pass-rusher, grabbing a young and talented LB in the draft isn't a bad idea.
The NFL Draft will begin on April 28.
