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Chicago Bears Must Target Pass Rusher In Round 2

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Eli Harold Chicago Bears Virginia

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The first round of the 2015 NFL draft fell the way Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace had hoped, and the player he coveted, West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White, was waiting for the Bears at the seventh pick.

Pace was ecstatic that White was there. He will be able to stretch defenses and give the Bears a deep threat that they desperately need. Paired with Alshon Jeffery, they could become an outstanding duo. But with an offensive selection in Round 1, it’s time for the Bears to look at the other side of the football.

An interesting note from Thursday night is that Randy Gregory completely fell out of the first round. Gregory was a projected top-10 pick until he failed a drug test at the NFL Combine. He had some character issues before the combine, and the failed test sent up red flags around the league. If he is sitting there at 39, would Pace be able to pass on the freakishly athletic pass rusher?

Another outstanding pass rusher that could be available at 39 is Eli Harold from Virginia. Harold has a tremendous motor and is a relentless pass rusher. His style of play is something that Bears fans would fall in love with, and he could quickly become a fan favorite. Many scouts considered Harold a top 20 pick, so if he is absolutely another option that the Bears could target.

The only non-pass rusher that Pace should consider is Alabama safety Landon Collins. Many consider Collins the top safety in the draft, and we know how desperately the Bears want and need to upgrade the position. If Collins is available at 39, it would be very difficult for the Bears to pass on a defensive back that is considered a sure thing.

It’s quite certain that the Bears are sitting pretty in Round 2. With three fantastic defensive options all still available, all considered first-round talent, there’s an excellent chance that one of them will fall to Chicago at 39. Collins would be a nice acquisition, but the Bears need to focus on Gregory or Harold with their second-round pick. Defenses start with the pass rush, and both of these players have the ability to help the Bears immediately.

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