Chicago Bears NFL Draft Sleeper: Malik Reed – edge rusher

The Chicago Bears could be in the market for an edge rusher this draft, and a sleeper could be emerging.

As fans know by now, the Chicago Bears have a depleted inventory of picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. The main culprit was the trade for Khalil Mack. Though no one will bat an eye at the deal or what the Bears sent to the Oakland, or Los Angeles, or Las Vegas — let’s just call them the Raiders — they are still low on draft capital.

So what does that mean? Well, it means that the Bears — and more specifically Ryan Pace — are going to have to scout like they never have before to identify premium talent that could be available in the later rounds.

Currently, the team owns a pick in each of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounds, as well as two in the 7th round, for a total of five picks.

With those picks, they are going to have to address some needs which right now could include running back, safety (depending on what happens with Adrian Amos) and cornerback (depending on what happens with Bryce Callahan).

They would also be well served to acquire depth at the safety and cornerback positions regardless of whether they re-sign Amos and Callahan. However, there is another critical position that they have to address by adding quality depth, and that is at outside linebacker.

Aaron Lynch is no guarantee to return, and with Leonard Floyd’s injury history, adding someone who can fill in and provide rotational depth next year will be critical. One such player is the University of Nevada’s Malik Reed, one of the most underrated players in this year’s draft.

We caught up with him this past week to discuss the Draft and the possibility of landing on the Bears.