The Chicago Bears‘ defense was never quite the same after Brian Urlacher retired. That tends to happen when you lose an all-time great at any position. They did get some of that back when they drafted Roquan Smith in 2018, but his excellent play never quite met the same standard. Urlacher was a true unicorn, boasting size, speed, and instincts that made him a nightmare for even the best NFL quarterbacks. Now the Bears are on the cusp of another search for his true successor. Enter Anthony Hill Jr.
Bears fans haven’t really been looking at linebackers as an option for the 25th overall pick this April. They should start doing so. Remember, it’s likely Tremaine Edmunds will be cut before the league year starts on March 11th. Noah Sewell is a free agent. That is two starters they will be down. While the defensive line is the hot topic, Hill is a caliber of talent the Bears won’t be able to ignore. He was a force at Texas over the past three seasons, carving out a career that matches up with some of the best linebackers of the past quarter-century.
That includes the Bears icon himself.
| Player | Total Tackles (Career) | Tackles for Loss (Career) | Sacks (Career) | Forced Fumbles | Notable College Accolade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) | 249 | 31.5 | 17.0 | 8 | 2024 1st-Team All-American |
| Micah Parsons (Penn State) | 191 | 18.0 | 6.5 | 6 | 2019 Consensus All-American |
| Roquan Smith (Georgia) | 252 | 21.0 | 6.5 | 3 | 2017 SEC Defensive POTY |
| Bobby Wagner (Utah St.) | 445 | 28.5 | 4.5 | 2 | 3x 1st-Team All-WAC |
| Luke Kuechly (BC) | 532 | 35.5 | 2.5 | 2 | 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy |
| Brian Urlacher (New Mexico) | 442 | N/A | 11.0 | 11 | 1999 1st-Team All-American |
Anthony Hill Jr. is the total package.
It is beyond difficult to find linebackers who are big, fast, and intelligent. They’re usually strong in two of those categories but weak in the other. That is not the case with Hill. He’s 6’3″, 240 lbs, and has speed. He’s projected to run in the low 4.4 range at the scouting combine next week. Couple that with swift diagnostic skills and great instincts, and you have the makings of a star at the next level. He’s also a perfect fit for Dennis Allen’s defensive scheme.
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Remember, the Bears’ defensive coordinator has a track record of being aggressive with his blitz package. For that, one needs linebackers who can bring the heat. Anthony Hill Jr. had 17 sacks in college as an off-ball linebacker. It is abundantly clear he can blitz as well as anybody. Just look at what Demario Davis was under Allen during their time in New Orleans together. He had 31 sacks in seven seasons. Hill has more than enough capability to do that and more if he came to Chicago.
People forget Urlacher was the same way.
When he came out of New Mexico in 2000, he’d built a reputation in college for an ability to blitz, both as a linebacker and safety. The Bears coaching staff under Dick Jauron took full advantage of this skill. In his first four seasons, Urlacher had 21 sacks. Lovie Smith even used him in that role for the first two years together, notching another 11.5. Everybody will say Hill is nothing like Urlacher because the latter spent most of the time in coverage or playing the run. They forget he was a capable blitzer in his early years.
Yes, linebacker isn’t the sexiest position these days. Most don’t consider it a premium one. Yet there is one thing you can’t deny. When teams hit on it in the draft, it often transforms the fortunes of your defense. It did with Urlacher in 2000 and again with Smith in 2018. Ask the 49ers about Fred Warner or the Eagles about Zack Baun. Difference-makers are difference-makers, regardless of position. Anthony Hill Jr. is a difference-maker. If he’s there at #25, the Bears have to consider taking him.
