Chicago Bears: Big board for 2018 NFL Draft

12. Defensive end Arden Key, LSU

There is not a single player in this draft more confusing, polarizing and yet incredibly tempting to draft than LSU’s Arden Key. The pass rush specialist was looked at as a first-round talent after his performance in 2016, yet after he left the team last spring, his stock has plummeted in comparison to a year ago.

Some question his passion for the game. Leaving your team doesn’t exactly bode well for a potential high draft pick, but somehow, some way, Key is back in the thick of the pass rush prospect conversation for 2018. He didn’t have as good of a year last season as he did in 2016, but he still performed well enough to be considered in the second round.

Key’s best season came two years ago when he set the LSU single-season sack record, and if he can revert to that guy, the Bears are getting a steal in the second round.

The 6-foot-6 Key is a physical freak. He’s very fast for his size and will most likely need to put on a little more weight as a pro, but as I’ve stated in numerous posts previously, that’s the easy part. Key might be my favorite option with the Bears’ second round selection if he is there.

Assuming Chicago still needs a pass rusher after the first round, I’d say Key is a risk well-worth taking. If any culture can hone his skills back to where he was a year ago, it’s a place like Chicago under the passionate leadership of Nagy and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.