Chicago Bears 2017 mock draft: Post NFL Combine and free agency

Ben Boulware, LB, Clemson (6-foot-0, 238 pounds)

Deshaun Watson was the undisputed leader of the National Champion Clemson Tigers. However, the heart and soul of the team was Boulware.

Boulware played as a reserve and special teams player during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Special teams was a perfect fit for him, as he got to go wild. He then took over as middle linebacker, earning All ACC honors in his final two seasons.

Boulware gives a team a true leader and tons of confidence. Additionally, he gives a defense toughness. He plays through blocks and does whatever he can to get to his target. He has 14 passes defended, 7 fumbles forced, and 6 sacks as a two-year starter, and finished his career with 261 tackles (26.5 for loss), 8 sacks, and 5 interceptions.

Scouts wish Boulware’s body was as big as his heart. He is undersized and has short arms. He can get swallowed up by big offensive linemen. While people kept talking about his size, he continued to make plays.

With the loss of Danny Travathan, the Bears have a need at inside linebacker. Travathan suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon. It is an extremely serious injury. What the Bears don’t talk about is that it is potentially career-threatening. Victor Cruz had the injury and he hasn’t been the same since. Jimmy Graham gives Travathan hope, though. He played well last season after suffering the injury in 2015.

If the Bears do miss Travathan in 2017, perhaps Boulware can come in and help the linebacker corps. Even though he is undersized, his heart cannot be measured. There is the case of Zach Thomas, another undersized inside linebacker who carved out a pretty good career with the Miami Dolphins.

Next: Cooper gives Bears a much-needed playmaker at cornerback

With his style of play, Boulware will become an instant fan favorite. He brings fire to a team that hasn’t had much of it for the better part of a half-decade.