Chicago Bears Eyeing What Could Be Their Actual 1st Round Target

Everybody believes the Chicago Bears will take Caleb Williams at #1 overall next month. Even if it's not him, it will be a quarterback. Once that is done, the true intrigue begins for fans as they wait to see what happens at the 9th pick. The general consensus among local insiders is that they are focused on either a wide receiver or edge rusher at that spot, presuming that GM Ryan Poles doesn't intend to trade back. However, one notable name is being overlooked in the mad dash to debate who their ultimate target is.

Keep this in mind. Head coach Matt Eberflus has repeated time and time that three-technique defensive tackle is the most critical spot on his defense. Finding that presence in the interior pass rush is vital. Maybe Gervon Dexter can be that guy, but he isn't a definitive solution as yet. Worse still, the Bears lost Justin Jones to free agency and didn't find a replacement. That is why it is worth wondering if they may have plans to do so in the draft. An update from Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy suggests they may have a name in mind, too.

Texas standout Byron Murphy.

The Chicago Bears' interest in Murphy should be a surprise.

Most evaluators consider him the best natural interior pass rusher in the class. He's quick, explosive, and stronger than he gets credit for. The Longhorns star has drawn comparisons to Buffalo Bills stalwart Ed Oliver. This is worth noting because new defensive coordinator Eric Washington was the one who developed Oliver over the past few years. So it's easy to see why the Bears might be interested. There is one lingering problem, though. Murphy is small. He's 6'0, 290 lbs, and has arms under 33 inches. This Bears regime has shown that, over recent years, they prefer linemen with size and length.

Murphy would be an exception to that rule.

Poles has said if you start making exceptions, soon you'll have a team full of exceptions. Still, there is no question Murphy can play. He has the natural instincts and explosiveness to fit the Chicago Bears' aggressive, up-the-field style. While #9 might be too rich for him, it isn't crazy to see them targeting him after a trade down to the mid-teens. That would be the perfect spot to draft him. It isn't hard to see the appeal. He may remind fans of Tommie Harris and Henry Melton.