Thread: So, what sort of DE help do we have a chance at getting in the draft?

Nick Perry

In the first round we could look at Nick Perry out of USC, Whitney Mercilus from Illinois, and Michael Ingram from Southern Carolina. Andre Branch from Clemson could go in the first but I think he's more a second round material. Some other second rounders are Chandler Jones from Syracuse and Vinny Curry from Marshall. Cam Johnson out of Vanderbilt could be a third rounder.

I'm sure I could be missing some options but that's off the top of my head.

Originally Posted by bearsinhouston

In your opinion, will they all be available at 19, and which ones can make a difference?

Ingram is probably the least likely to be there at 19 of the first rounders. He's a beast but he only produced well one year and some think he's better suited for 34 OLB. He's got short arms which are sort of a draw back but he's got a powerful bull rush and is super athletic.

Mercilus is an outstanding athlete and gets after the QB hard, lots of second effort. Another one year producer and raw in some aspects but was the NCAA leader in sacks. Tore it up but obviously has a lot of questions, one year producers are always questionable. I'm pretty sure he said the team that gave him the most interest and talked to him the most were the Bears at the combine.

Nick Perry is loved by a lot of people but I think he's sorta overrated, not to say he isn't good or won't be successful. He's only 6'2 but he's probably the most physically gifted. He's an athletic freak. Has amazing take off speed and flies to the QB. Could get better against the run and with consistency but wow he flies.

Another guy I forgot to mention is Quinton Couples from North Carolina, I don't think he'll be around but he might slip to the Bears, who knows on draft day. He's got the best size of the bunch at 6'6 and is full of talent. He takes plays off but I think Marenelli could fix that, but lots of questions about his consistency. Labeled boom or bust by a lot of people.

I think Couples and Ingram could be gone by 19 but like I said you never know. Mercilus and Perry should be there at 19. I hate to say who I think will and won't contribute. I think with our defense all have a good shot of making some impact especially with Peppers drawing so much attention and Marenelli coaching them up.

I like Whitney Mercilus. He reminds me a little bit of Richard Dent.

Whitney Mercilus Video - YouTube

I think Perry and Mercilus are the two most likely to be there when we pick. Another guy who might be in the mix is Fletcher Cox. Most see him as more of a 3T DT but he probably has the goods to play LDE too. If we don't re-sign Okoye we'll be looking for another DT and he fits the bill for what we'd be looking for.

Right now my guess is that since we filled the #1 WR spot with Marshall and Bennett is a solid #2 we'll most likely draft for the defense in the first round. I'd like to see us sign Hayden at CB as well so that we don't have a need going into the draft. Then we can shoot for linemen with our first two picks. There are enough good OG's to pick up a good one in the second round so I'd shoot for one of the three Dlineman in the first.