The Chicago Bears can’t say for certain what they’ll do when the bullets start flying on April 28th. All anybody knows for sure is they hold the 9th overall pick. Beyond that, it’s a guessing game. GM Ryan Poles has done a good job of keeping people in the dark as to what he will do. The Bears could stay at #9 and take the best offensive tackle or pass rusher. Maybe he’ll trade down and take a wide receiver like Jaxon Smith-Njiba. There is no shortage of possibilities on the table. One thing is for sure. There is always one wild card you don’t expect.
Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog dropped a not-so-subtle hint at one to watch for. He hears that Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has several supporters inside Halas Hall.
Kancey has been one of the big winners of the pre-draft process. He finished his college career with 14.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for a loss in 23 games as a starter. Then he added a blistering 4.67 in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine at 281 lbs. He has a case for being the best interior pass rusher in this class and a natural fit for the Bears’ three-technique position.
The Chicago Bears face a dilemma with Kancey.
His size is a problem. Defensive tackles in a 4-3 defense are generally at least 6’2 and 300 lbs with decent arm length of 33 inches or more. Kancey is 6’1, 280 lbs, with 30-inch arms. The list of players with those dimensions at that position that have found NFL success is exceedingly short over the past two decades. Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins are the only two that stand out. Tommie Harris was somewhat similar even though he was two inches taller and 15 lbs heavier. One must not forget how much this Poles and Matt Eberflus regime has preached length.
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It is difficult to imagine them making an exception for Kancey, even if he’s an obvious scheme fit. Several draft experts believe the size concerns are overblown. His elite quickness, explosion, and footwork make it almost impossible to block him for 60 minutes without him making a play in the backfield. Given how desperate the Chicago Bears are for a disruptive presence in the middle, one can understand why some in the building are pushing him to get a fair shake. While 9th overall is way too high, he may become an option if the Bears trade down.
