The Chicago Bears have been in the market for a tough linebacker ever since they said goodbye to long-time veteran Brian Urlacher. While the team is not ruling out Urlacher returning to Chicago, they are heavily interested in linebackers in this year's NFL draft. This year's draft class is stacked with defensive talent, many of which would be ready to start day one for the team. According to draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., Manti Te'o is at the top of their list.
The Bears have been a team well-known for strong and talented linebackers. Te'o would be next in line to carry on that tradition. Kiper believes that when the Bears select No. 20 overall, Te'o will fall right into their lap, being a perfect addition to the team's defense.
"He should have a good career-whether it will be great or not is debatable," Kiper said.
Te'o is somewhat of a controversial draft choice. Up until December, he was considered a lock to be taken in the top-10 of the draft. He was a Heisman candidate that was seen as having the greatest amount of NFL potential. However, he was exposed in the National Championship game against Alabama, a team many consider loaded with NFL talent. His ability to play at the next level began to be questioned. He followed that up with a media scandal and a pro NFL combine performance, making teams believe even more that he may not be ready for professional football.
However, draft experts are not letting all of that change the original opinion of Te'o. Kiper compared him to the likes of the great linebacker, Chris Spielman. He believes that while Te'o did have a bad 40-yard dash time, he has great production and game tape to back him and that he is just being misevaluated.
Chicago's general manager Rick Spielman was the only GM to attend Te'o's Pro Day in March as the team is in need of a middle linebacker. The only trouble is that the New York Giants are also interest and they pick one ahead of Chicago. The Minnesota Vikings are considering Te'o and they select at No. 23. If New York passes on him and Minnesota does not try and trade up, the Bears will have their next best linebacker.
Urlacher is still a possible option to return. The team said Wednesday that the door is not shut on the veteran and the two parties have talked. If Urlacher is still on the market come draft day, a re-signing with the Bears could be in the cards. That may change the team's interest in Te'o completely.
