Chicago Bears Draft: Realistic options at edge rusher

Round 5 Favorite: Jalen Jelks, Oregon

If you look around sports media outlets and check out their prospect rankings and mock drafts, Jalen Jelks is a player you will notice is all over the place. Some outlets have him as high as a fourth-round pick (which is too high) and others rank him down towards the late-sixth or early-seventh (which is too low).

One thing I know for sure about Pace is that he’s a man of conviction. If he likes Jelks, and there’s a shot to get him in the fifth, he’ll take him. Jelks has a solid frame at 6-foot-5, but is a bit light at 256 pounds.

Jelks actually has some experience along the defensive line, even playing inside at times previously, which gives him a totally different perspective he can bring to the outside linebacker spot. This also has to be the reason why he’s such a battler. Jelks plays a whole lot more fierce than his size would lead you to believe.

Playing more interior line and linebacker throughout his career, Jelks has some people scratching their heads as to where he truly fits best. With his size, and ability to rush the passer, there is no question he belongs on the edge. He fits exactly what the Bears are looking for in a situational pass rusher and someone who can spell the starters at times, or be thrown into different blitz packages.