Chicago Bears 2019 NFL Draft: Pre-Combine wish list
By Ryan Heckman
Edge Rusher Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
Last year, we examined just about every single edge rusher in the 2018 NFL Draft, and on multiple occasions. The Bears desperately needed help in that area, but ultimately ended up landing Khalil Mack, which made everything work in the end.
This year, I would like to see them add one more young player to the mix. They have Isaiah Irving and Aaron Lynch waiting to come back if they so choose, and I do think they’ll bring back at least one of them. But, one more guy would be big.
Jaylon Ferguson would be a fantastic addition to the group Chicago has already. Ferguson possesses everything needed to be a successful pass rusher in the NFL.
First off, he is a player you’ll see put the pedal down on every single snap. He has a great frame at 6-foot-5 and looks like a prototypical edge rusher. He plays fast and wins with grit.
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One of the best traits he possesses is his hand usage. He packs a powerful punch and knows how to knock an opposing tackle off of their feet. The major weakness in his game is the lack of bend around the edge, but that is something which can be coached to fix.
Over his four seasons at Louisiana Tech, Ferguson notched a whopping 45.0 sacks and seven forced fumbles — 17.5 of those sacks came in his final season. As a mid-round pick, the Bears would be adding someone who can grow a little bit while also being surrounded by elite talent to help him develop.
There are many different opinions on where he could go in this draft. Some experts have him as high as a late-first or early-second round selection. Other outlets have him pegged between the third and fourth rounds.