The Chicago Bears had to alter their draft strategy once they went through with their trade that sent the #1 pick to Carolina. Now they sit at 9th overall. The players who will be available there aren't the same players who would've been at #1. GM Ryan Poles must get a sense of which names he will want to snag. Some are wondering if Jalen Carter might actually be there. Many felt the Georgia defensive tackle was the favorite to go #1 overall if Chicago had stayed put. That now appears unlikely.
Carter got into trouble with the law after a street racing incident that resulted in two deaths. Then he showed up to his pro day workout nine lbs overweight and couldn't even finish the drills. It was a bad look. Maybe the Bears still take the risk on his talent, but that doesn't seem likely. There will be other viable options. Some believe they will target one of the offensive tackles on the board, hoping to get Justin Fields some help. However, Scott Dochterman of The Athletic has it on good authority the name to watch is Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness.
The Bears have reportedly been keeping tabs on him for two years.
After Chicago executed the blockbuster trade with Carolina and acquired the No. 9 selection, Van Ness to the Bears now appears to be a real possibility. Chicago’s defensive legacy, coach Matt Eberflus’ philosophy and general manager Ryan Poles’ line-of-scrimmage strategy makes Van Ness a viable candidate, along with Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson and Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski...
...Projection: Chicago, No. 9 overall, first round. Van Ness has the potential to become an elite right side defensive end in a 4-3, which is a perfect fit for Eberflus’ Bears defense. Chicago is reconstructing its defense in waves, starting with free agency and the draft. Van Ness, a Chicagoland product, can be a cornerstone piece and, by Year 3, could become a Pro Bowler.
Chicago Bears' interest in Van Ness isn't hard to understand.
His physical profile alone is salivating. He's 6'5, 275 lbs, and boasts 34-inch arms. He's also a tremendous athlete, running a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash with a 7.02 in the three-cone drill. The one thing people can't get past is he wasn't technically a starter during his time at Iowa. Maybe so, but that didn't stop him from being productive. Over two seasons, he amassed 13 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss. He also showcased freakish strength, bulldozing some of the best tackles in the country like projected 1st rounders Peter Skoronski and Paris Johnson Jr.
People are said to see visions of Justin Smith or Howie Long when watching him. Flattery aside, there is no denying Van Ness is a physical specimen. He is the living picture of a 4-3 defensive end. There are no character concerns. He's even a hometown kid. If the Chicago Bears feel they can clean up his raw technique, then taking him at #9 would be worth the risk. The ceiling is undeniable. Their defensive line needs a ton of help. He'd be a gigantic step in the right direction.
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