Chicago Bears Draft: 5 mid-round prospects to watch

Tegray Scales, Inside Linebacker, Indiana

The all-important question at linebacker, other than who will line up opposite of Floyd, is, who will line up next to Danny Trevathan? Nick Kwiatkoski is absolutely in the conversation and deserves to be. He has improved each season since entering the NFL and, with his knowledge of the scheme, would do just fine as the second starter.

However, competition breeds greatness, as they say. The Bears will more than likely want to bring in a rookie or two to compete with Kwiatkoski during camp. Now, whether they do that via the draft or a couple of undrafted free agents is another question.

Tegray Scales would be an intriguing guy to watch for in the fourth round if he is still hanging out there. Fortunately, Scales would play inside linebacker for the Bears. His size and speed would make it tough for him to play anywhere else, but he fits real well on the inside.

Scales stands 6-feet tall exactly, making him a little smaller than the ideal linebacker. But, that hasn’t stopped him from performing at Indiana. Scales is always found near the pile at the end of the play. He’s one of those guys who has a nose for the ball and wants to be as near to it as possible, each and every down.

Scales is a smart kid and possesses above average cover skills, which is something you have to have in today’s NFL. Tight ends play more like receivers at times, and Scales is a guy who, if found in space, can cover well.

The Bears need linebackers. Scales plays linebacker — and plays it well. He’s a hard-nosed, Big Ten kid who would give Chicago a real battle on the inside if he was selected.