Best Value For Bears In Every Round By Position: Linebacker

Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosely (32) celebrates scoring a touchdown with defensive back Vinnie Sunseri (3) during the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

There are many who feel that linebacker is not a big need for the Bears, but I disagree. Sure the position could be improved from within by a resurgent season from Shea McClellin who returns to his natural position, and the returns of veteran linebackers Lance Briggs, and DJ Williams who were injured last season, as well as improvement from promising second year players Jon Bostic, and Khaseem Greene. However both Williams and Briggs figure to leave next season, and McClellin is more of a hybrid rush backer, and not a 3 down tackling machine. So the future needs to be addressed here and now. If the Bears wish to sustain whatever success they’ll have this season on defense they need to start laying the groundwork this season rather than throwing in a rookie and expecting him to play like a vet. We saw how well that worked last season when the Bears were forced to play Greene and Bostic before they were ready which produced disastrous results. There may be some repeat names from the Defensive End blog I wrote earlier as I added hybrid rush linebackers to that list. I will however try to include mostly pure linebackers in this blog.