Tackle Offers Bears Safest Play

The best argument for the Bears taking a tackle in Round 1 of the draft could have less to do with that position or players available and more to do with the other great need they have for Round 1.

They need edge rushers and if there's anything to be learned about drafting players who rush the passer from defensive end in a 4-3 or as a 3-4 outside linebacker, it's that they are often overdrafted.

Unless you're talking about a truly elite player, effective players can be found outside of the first round, let alone the top 10.

There have been 26 players taken in the last five drafts who are averaging five sacks or more a year and only six were selected in the top 10 of the draft.

For taking a player in the top 10, you'd anticipate something more than five sacks a year. Players available at tackle for the Bears at No. 10 have a higher ceiling, unless Jalen Carter falls to them. In his case, nothing is guaranteed.

Occasionally there are the consensus top edge rusher types everyone wants and they go early, like Nick Bosa or last year with Aidan Hutchinson. Even then it's not always a sure pick as the 3 1/2 sacks Jacksonville got from No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker as a rookie say.

Sure, the Detroit Lions hit gold with Hutchinson last year at No. 2 overall. He made 9 1/2 sacks, but later in the draft—in the sixth round no less—they were able to find James Houston. He finished second in the league among rookies in sacks last year with eight.

BEARS AMONG THE TEAMS GRACED WITH JALEN CARTER VISIT

The league's best two rookie outside pass rushers last year played for the same Bears NFC North opponent. That's another reason for the Bears to draft a tackle first instead of an edge rusher.

Last year's draft was just one example but there were three edge rushers taken in the top five overall and only Hutchinson had more than four sacks.

Going back five years, the same sort of result is apparent.

Finding outside rushers who can average as many as six sacks over a given period at the start of their careers is uncommon.

The 2019 draft has been widely regarded as the last great pass rush year, with 10 players who have averaged at least five sacks over the four seasons. If the numbers on average are this low, and a consensus No. 1 edge rusher like Will Anderson Jr. is no longer going to be available after the Bears traded the first pick away, then they'd be far better off devoting the first-round pick to Peter Skoronski, Paris Johnson Jr. or Broderick Jones.

Players Drafted Averaging 5 sacks

Since 2018

2022

Aidan Hutchinson, Lions, second pick, 9 1/2 sacks

James Houston, Lions, 217th pick, 8 sacks

George Karlaftis III, 30th pick, 6 sacks

2021

Micah Parsons, Cowboys, 12th pick, 26 1/2 sacks, 13.25 per year

Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins, 18th pick, 15 1/2 sacks, 7.75 per year

Azeez Ojulari, Giants, 50th pick, 13 1/2 sacks, 6.75 per year

Gregory Rousseau, Bills, 30th pick, 12 sacks, 6 per year

Kwity Paye, Colts, 21st pick, 10 sacks, 5 per year

2020

Alex Highsmith, Steelers, 102nd pick, 22 1/2 sacks, 7.5 per year

Darrell Taylor, Seahawks, 48th pick, 16 sacks, 5.3 per year

Josh Uche, Patriots, 60th pick, 15 1/2 sacks, 5.2 per year

D.J. Wonnum, Vikings, 117th pick, 15 sacks, 5 per year

2019

Nick Bosa, 49ers, second pick, 43 sacks, 10.75 per year

Brian Burns, Panthers, 16th pick, 38 sacks, 9.5 per year

Maxx Crosby, Raiders, 106th pick, 37 1/2 sacks, 9.4 per year

Montez Sweat, Commanders, 26th pick, 29 sacks, 7.2 per year

Quinnen Williams*, Jets, third pick, 27 1/2 sacks, 6.9 per year

Josh Allen, Jaguars, seventh pick, 27 1/2 sacks, 6.9 per year

Rashan Gary, Packers, 12th pick, 22 1/2 sacks, 5.6 per year

Dre'Mont Jones*, Broncos, 71st pick, 22 sacks, 5.5 per year

Jeffery Simmons*, Titans, 19th pick, 21 sacks, 5.2 per year

Devin White**, Buccaneers, fifth pick, 20 1/2 sacks, 5.1 per year

2018

Harold Landry, Titans, 41st pick, 31 sacks, 6.2 per year

Sam Hubbard, Bengals, 77th pick, 30 1/2 sacks, 6.1 per year

Bradley Chubb, Broncos, fifth pick, 28 1/2 sacks, 5.7 per year

Josh Sweat, Eagles, 130th pick, 28 1/2 sacks, 5.7 per year

Daron Payne*, Commanders, 13th pick, 26 sacks, 5.2 per year

*Defensive tackle

**Inside linebacker

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