Offense was the focus for the Chicago Bears through the early parts of the draft. It wasn’t a big surprise. Ben Johnson was the new head coach. He had every right to seek talent to fit his new vision for the team. However, he also knew the team couldn’t go two whole days without giving some help to Dennis Allen’s defense. After grabbing left tackle Ozzy Trapilo at 56th overall, the Bears finally switched the other side by selecting Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner 62nd overall, their last pick of the day.
It made sense. Turner had a reputation as an interior pass rusher in college, posting six sacks in 2023 before scheme issues and injuries slowed him last year. His violence, explosiveness, and power were excellent building blocks for Allen to tinker with. Fans were fine with the pick. If only they’d known the reaction from others inside the league. According to a source, multiple members of every front office across the NFC North division groaned when the Bears took Turner. The feeling is that Chicago just got a “monster.”
Shemar Turner will be a versatile weapon up front.
One thing that made him so devastating at times in college was his ability to create pressure from multiple alignments. He’d bring it up the middle as a defensive tackle on one play. Then he could shift outside and do it from the defensive end spot. His explosive first step and relentless motor made him a pest no matter where he lined up. He draws comparisons to another A&M alum, Nnamdi Madubuike. He had a similar build and measurables. Baltimore took him in the 3rd round in 2020. He’s since made two Pro Bowls and amassed 28 sacks. That program has a stellar reputation for producing future pass rushers.
Everything depends on how the Bears use Shemar Turner. This is where Allen comes into play. He is more than familiar with this type of player. It started with Sheldon Rankins in New Orleans before shifting to Bryan Bresee later on. That system hinges on having a good interior pass rush. Turner has the tool and now has the perfect mentor, Grady Jarrett, in town. The division is right to be concerned.
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