GM Ryan Poles might call the shots regarding the Chicago Bears roster. That is his right. However, he has shown since taking over that he makes it a point to be as accommodating to the desires of the coaching staff as he possibly can. He proved that with Matt Eberflus. Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, Gervon Dexter, and Tyrique Stevenson were all players who fit the exact parameters the former head coach preferred. Now Dennis Allen runs the show on defense. He is sure to have his own preferences, right?
Poles made sure to speak with the new defensive coordinator to get a sense of what he was looking for. Allen likes multiple traits, but one took precedence over everything else. Poles revealed it recently.
“Speed. Speed. Speed.
He wants a very aggressive and attacking defense. Especially on the defensive line. It’s attacking the man in front of you. Not so much playing laterally, two-gapping or even penetrating in gaps. It’s really just attacking the offensive lineman in front of you and creating disruption in the run game.
Then also (it’s being able) to bubble back into the quarterback’s feet to make it uncomfortable there, too. That mentality is definitely going to be there. That’s something we’ll get done.”
This lines up with what the New Orleans Saints did while he was their defensive coordinator. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore had the fifth-fastest time of any player at the 2017 combine. EDGE Marcus Davenport had the fourth-fastest time among defensive linemen in 2018. Allen does indeed love speed.
This makes pinpointing likely Dennis Allen targets easier.
Knowing these details might make it easier to pinpoint which defensive prospects the Bears may target in the early rounds on April 24th and 25th. There is no shortage of interesting names who flashed speed during the pre-draft process.
Notable edge rushers:
- James Pearce - 4.47
- Shemar Stewart - 4.59
- Landon Jackson - 4.68
Notable defensive tackles:
- Derrick Harmon - 4.95
- Darius Alexander - 4.95
- C.J. West - 4.95
Notable linebackers:
- Eugene Asante - 4.42
- Danny Stutsman - 4.52
- Smael Mondon - 4.58
Notable cornerbacks:
- Maxwell Hairston - 4.28
- Jacob Parrish - 4.35
- Trey Amos - 4.43
Notable safeties:
- Nick Emmanwori - 4.38
- Billy Bowman Jr. - 4.42
- Andrew Mukuba - 4.45
As you can see, Dennis Allen should have plenty of intriguing options to choose from. It will depend on which positions the Bears defensive coordinator feels are the most pressing needs. Keep this list handy once the action starts in 11 days. It wouldn't be surprising if two or three somehow end up in Chicago.
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