The Chicago Bears will undoubtedly be looking to bolster their pass rush in this year’s NFL Draft, but could they look to add arguably the draft’s top defensive tackle?
That’s a question many experts are grappling with as the NFL Draft draws closer, and the Bears still hold the No. 25 pick in the first round, which will get underway on Thursday night.
The idea of using that selection on a defensive lineman has certainly been bandied about plenty in the run-up to the draft, but there are some wondering whether the Bears will go after Clemson tackle Peter Woods.
Woods, listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, was an All-American as a freshman and had a solid final collegiate season with the Tigers, starting 12 games, racking up 30 total tackles and two sacks, with 3.5 tackles for loss last season.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has him as the top-ranked defensive tackle in this year’s class, and the NFL Network agrees, calling him a “plus starter” who has the potential to be a strong NFL player in coming years.
According to NBC Chicago’s Lou Canellis, Woods showed an ability to force pressure up the middle, using his explosiveness and his ability to collapse the pocket on quarterbacks while also serving as a strong run-stopper.
There are some questions about his consistency and his arm length according to his NFL Network scouting profile, but they also rave about his ability and say he could potentially gain strength as he enters the NFL, which would continue to help his development.
In terms of mock drafts, typically Woods is slotted to land right around the Bears’ pick at No. 25. In fact, NFL.com’s Eric Edholm does have the Bears taking him, while Kiper has him projected to go to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 22.
Stay tuned to NBC Chicago throughout the week leading up to the NFL Draft, with Lou Canellis and former Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt providing detailed analysis of the Bears’ picks and decisions as the team gets active in Pittsburgh.
