Chicago Bears: Top 5 most likely candidates in first round of NFL Draft

1. LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech Hokies

The Bears and their fans just witnessed one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history get the nod into the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. What does Brian Urlacher and this last kid have in common?

A lot.

Tremaine Edmunds has been given the comparison to Urlacher by several draft experts, and for good reason. The 19-year-old — yes, I said 19 — linebacker is as versatile as they come.

Edmunds is a quick linebacker that can play either inside or outside, which would give the Bears some options come training camp. The former Virginia Tech standout ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine over the weekend.

He stands 6-foot-5, weighing over 250 pounds.

That’s a pretty outstanding time for a guy that size. Again, may I remind you he is 19 years old?

Quick feet and explosiveness are a couple of his many traits that scouts love. The kid also rarely misses an opportunity.

In 2017, Edmunds recorded a team-high 109 tackles, with 14 of those being for a loss. He also threw in 5.5 sacks and forced three fumbles.

Edmunds, like I said, can play any linebacker position. Depending on how free agency goes for the Bears, he would give them versatility in that group. One of the positives from that which many overlook is the fact that he will likely be able to slide one way or another if the Bears experience an injury at the position.

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The Bears haven’t had a dominant linebacker since Lance Briggs retired. Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and Leonard Floyd have been good for the most part, but injuries have been an issue for all three at times and Freeman isn’t even with the team anymore. Edmunds immediately gives the Bears a game-changing linebacker that could lead this group for years to come.