The departure of veteran linebacker Brian Urlacher has left a bad taste in the mouths of Chicago Bears fans. Pairing that free agency loss with the team's failure to re-sign Nick Roach and the Bears are officially in desperate need of a linebacker. The team did sign D.J. Williams as a desperation move, but he will not be enough to fill the void of a starting middle linebacker.
The Chicago Bears best option at this point in the offseason is to look towards the draft to help fill the defensive hole. This year's NFL draft is filled with defensive talent, but the Bears draft pick numbers could create an issue for them. The team is reportedly interested in former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and could use their first round draft pick to get him.
The Bears will select No. 20 overall. Back in December, using the No. 20 pick to get Te'o would have seemed like an obvious choice; however numerous events have caused the linebacker's stock to plummet. Te'o eliminated himself as a first round option when he failed to perform in National Championship game. Te'o was a non-factor in the game, making many teams believe he is not ready to face pro talent. He finished the game with three tackles total. After being a candidate for the Heisman, Te'o appeared less than ready for the next level. Then of course there was the girlfriend media scandal that captivated the world.
He then topped that with a poor performance at the NFL combine, once again dropping his draft stock. His 40-yard dash of 4.82 placed him at the slower end of the defensive players and he looked average on the drills. If he is able to look improved during his Pro Day work out then teams might gain some confidence in him, but at this point, he is not a first-round option.
So why would the Bears draft him with their first pick? The team does not have a second round pick. Many draft experts have Te'o gone by the end of the second round, forcing Chicago to make a decision.
They could try and draft Georgia's Alec Ogletree. Off the field, Ogletree has had some issues, but on the field he is easily the better player when compared to Te'o. He is faster, more versatile and would fit the Bears' defensive scheme. But, he could be gone by the time the Bears are drafting. He is easily top-10 talent.
The Bears are also expected to be considering taking an offensive lineman with their first pick, but if general manager Phil Emery feels the team must draft a middle linebacker right away, Te'o might be their best option.
