Chicago Bears: Which edge prospect fits best at No. 8 overall?

Which outside linebacker prospect could the Chicago Bears take at No. 8 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft?

As April draws nearer, the speculation about who the Chicago Bears will take with the eighth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft will start reaching feverish levels of discussion.

Everyone has an opinion, but no one really knows what Ryan Pace will do just yet. And as I’ve said before, that’s part of the fun.

At this point, we still don’t know if the Bears will have a shot at one of the elite non-quarterback prospects yet. That said, the notion that a run on quarterbacks could happen right away in this draft makes that possible.

And if you’ve followed my work at all in recent weeks, I know exactly who my slightly biased self wants to fall to No. 8…

More from Chicago Bears

• Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
• Next Chicago Bears starting quarterback makes Bowl Game decision
• Chicago Bears appear in the hunt while on track for the first pick
• Chicago Bears: They are who we thought they were
• Chicago Bears Rumors: Kevin Warren to oversee football operations

But I digress.

Regardless of who falls and who doesn’t, the Chicago Bears have very present needs at both inside and outside linebacker. The loss of veteran pass-rushers Pernell McPhee and Willie Young combined with the impending release of Jerrell Freeman and departure of Christian Jones make both depth and talent an issue at both spots.

As such, the Bears could look for the best intersection of need and talent at one of those positions. Specifically, though, they’ll want to find a guy who can get after the quarterback. Right now, that’s arguably their most desperate desire in this draft.

With that in mind, let’s look at a few of the edge defenders that have been talked about for the Chicago Bears at No. 8 overall.