Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Round 5 best case scenarios
By Ryan Heckman
Continuing in our series going over each round of the 2019 NFL Draft for the Chicago Bears, we now turn our attention to the fifth round.
We have kept up on our extensive draft coverage here with the Chicago Bears, and following our optimal third and fourth round scenarios, it’s time for a deeper dive. With the Bears on the clock at no. 162 overall in the fifth round, which players would be ideal if available? Let’s get it started.
EDGE Ben Banogu, TCU
The Bears stayed quiet when it came to their pass rush over the first week or two of free agency, letting the market play out for some of the bigger names. Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd headline this group going into the 2019 NFL season, but behind them, Chicago didn’t have much.
Ryan Pace brought back Aaron Lynch on a cheap deal, which should prove to be a strong signing. But, looking ahead, the Bears could still use one more guy within this group. Lynch’s contract is just a one-year deal, and he has never been the most durable guy.
Ben Banogu would end up being a solid value in the fifth round, and as the fourth or fifth pass rusher, he would help fill out the position. Banogu would likely come in and compete with Isaiah Irving and second-year pro Kylie Fitts.
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Over his last two seasons at TCU, Banogu has finished with 8.5 sacks in both years, while contributing a total of 34.5 tackles for loss. In 2018, he also forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and scored a defensive touchdown.
The fifth round is where it gets a bit murky, but the 6-foot-3 Banogu would be a great developmental pick. Banogu is fast and has great, quick footwork. But, he’ll have to get a bit stronger and learn a few more moves while proving he can work both inside and outside, as opposed to his strength being solely the former.