Chicago Bears draft profile: Marcus Davenport, edge rusher
Let’s take a closer look at a player that is emerging as a possible target for the Chicago Bears in the 2018 NFL Draft, edge rusher Marcus Davenport.
If we’re being honest, we probably don’t wholly eliminate any position from Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears’ radar at No. 8 overall just yet. No one really knows exactly what’s going on the Bears’ general manager’s mind.
That said, we can probably feel comfortable taking a few positions off the “immediate needs” list.
The Bears definitely don’t need a top-flight receiver with one of their top 10 picks after all the pass catchers they’ve added via free agency. In particular, they already have a No. 1 receiver in Allen Robinson. So Calvin Ridley? Like 99.9999% not happening.
And after they signed both Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara to multi-year deals, the Bears have their starting corner tandem more or less locked up.
Now, they could still target someone like Denzel Ward or Minkah Fitzpatrick (if he falls) to add depth and upside. But assuming there’s some intersection between “best player available” and “need”, cornerback has probably slid down the list of priorities a bit.
The offensive line could be addressed somewhat early in the draft, but unless the Bears taking Quenton Nelson, it’s not happening in the top 10 most likely.
If we had to pinpoint one position group that really needs some help, it’s linebacker. Truthfully, either inside or outside linebacker could stand to be addressed. In that sense, someone like Tremaine Edmunds could end up with the Bears.
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But with a pass rusher being their more present need, perhaps the Chicago Bears would prefer someone with more pass rush experience.
If they wanted to go for a high-upside pure pass rusher, they could surprise everyone and take UTSA’s Marcus Davenport.
Davenport has been on Bears fans’ radars since the Senior Bowl as a possible first-round target but has fallen off the grid for a bit. During that time, we’ve focused largely on top prospects like Nelson or Fitzpatrick that could fall in the top 10 or guys like Edmunds who have tremendous potential as an edge rusher but lack that specific experience.
But maybe we should revisit this possibility again. And while we’re doing that, let’s take a closer look at Davenport’s potential outlook with the Chicago Bears.