3 Prospects the Bears Should Trade Up for in NFL Draft
By Cem Yolbulan
2. Dallas Turner, DE
After the Bears finally solve their quarterback problem with the first-overall pick, they might prefer to address the defensive side of the ball next. Chicago showed significant signs of improvement last season after the Montez Sweat trade, but they still have a less-than-ideal pass-rushing rotation. They recorded 30 sacks all of last year, only better than the Carolina Panthers in the entire league.
Montez Sweat and DeMarcus Walker are locked in as established players on the edge but the rotation behind them is bleak. Adding a high-upside prospect there would change the look of the defensive unit in a big way.
One of the most intriguing prospects in the draft is the Alabama edge defender Dallas Turner. The 21-year-old recorded 11 sacks and 55 pressures in the 14 games he played in his final year of college.
There has already been mutual interest between the Bears and Turner. He had a visit scheduled with Chicago, as well as the Falcons and the Vikings. He previously disclosed what he liked about the Bears' defense that allows one to play with freedom as a pass rusher.
Turner is considered one of the best athletes in the draft. He already projects to be an elite pass-rusher as he received an 89.3 pass-rush grade on PFF. He will need to improve on his tackling and run defense but he is as high-upside as you can get.
The only issue is the interest Minnesota and Atlanta are also showing him. Vikings select at no. 4 while the Falcons draft at no. 8. The Bears might have to make a trade with one of these teams to land potentially the best defender in the draft.