The Chicago Bears may be set to take another step along their chosen path of changing over their 4-3 defensive personnel to a more 3-4 friendly version via the 2015 NFL Draft, as it is being reported by Charlie Campbell of Walter Football that the Bears are eyeing Clemson pass-rusher Vic Beasley during the pre-draft process, potentially paving the way for new Bears head coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace to select him with the seventh-overall selection in the first-round in late April.
"Sources have told us that Clemson outside linebacker Vic Beasley will be taking a pre-draft visit to Chicago," writes Campbell. "The Bears have switched to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and Beasley could fit as an outside linebacker and pass rusher for Chicago."
It wasn't a surprise to many when the Bears canned Marc Trestman and Phil Emery after the 2014 NFL season saw the NFL's Chicago franchise stumble to a 5-11 record and a fourth place finish in the otherwise vaunted NFC North.
It was, however, a surprise when the Bears were able to add John Fox as the organization's newest head coach and even more surprising when the notoriously 4-3-oriented Fox tabbed 3-4 proponent Vic Fangio as the team's defensive coordinator.
The chain of events now has the Bears changing over their 4-3 personnel-filled defense to the pass-rushing outside linebacker, mammoth defensive tackle and beefy, read and react defensive end-needy 3-4.
Beasley, a sleek, versatile athlete Lance Zierlein of NFL.com refers to as a "one of the best pure edge rushers in the draft," would immediately add a 3-4-specific presence on either the inside or the outside of Fangio's scheme.
While the addition of Pernell McPhee, another versatile 'backer, in the NFL free agency period along with the presences of Willie Young and Shea McClellin mean there is some talent already in place for Fangio, Beasley would represent a major upgrade over the other pass-rushers on the Bears roster.
"He's pretty much what you are looking for if you are a 3-4 team. I think he can play inside or outside because he moves so well. Out of the top-rated outside 'backers, he's the best, in my opinion," an AFC defensive coordinator told Zierlein.
For the Bears, McPhee seems better suited to a chess-piece, situational role and while there's no doubting Young and McClellin's talent, Young has operated solely as a 4-3 defensive end to this point in his career and McClellin has yet to prove worthy of his lofty draft status.
While Beasley does have some issues - a thin frame and a lack of power, thus a difficulty shedding blocks and lack of consistency in the run game - his athleticism, quick feet and change of direction should presumably make him a pass-rushing marvel at the NFL level.
