Chicago Bears Draft: 5 mid-round prospects to watch

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma

The Bears could end up addressing the EDGE position early in the draft, even with their first-round pick. But, if they choose not to, or if they choose to gather even more talent at the position, Pace should keep an eye on Ogbonnia Okoronkwo out of Oklahoma.

Okoronkwo will likely fall to the middle rounds because he doesn’t possess the ideal physical traits teams would like to see out of a pass rusher. A little smaller at 6-foot-1, 253 pounds, Okoronkwo won’t come with a tall, athletic frame like that of Leonard Floyd.

However, despite his size, the man plays aggressive. He’s got a high motor that never quits. Watching tape on him, you see one common characteristic from Okoronkwo on nearly every play — he wins.

He wins his matchup more often than not. Whether it’s his hands that get it done, a spin move or simply beating his man due to getting a lower launching point, Okoronkwo can beat a tackle in a variety of ways. This is promising to watch, because he obviously plays knowing he isn’t the fastest, biggest, tallest or strongest player at his position.

Okoronkwo finds himself in the back field an awful lot. He led the Sooners with 17.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2017. Add in three forced fumbles and a pair of pass breakups, and you’re looking at the Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Year.