The NFL Combine is Here! Trading Down to Land DL Disrupters Like Robinson & Fisk

Here’s the Quick -n- Dirrty..

• GM Ryan Poles eager to evaluate defensive prospects at the NFL Combine, especially defensive linemen and linebackers on Thursday. Strength testing important to assess.
• Top interior DL targets: Braden Fisk (Florida State) was dominant at Senior Bowl, while Jerzon Newton (Illinois) had 7.5 sacks last season. Both fit need for 3-technique rusher.
• Top edge rusher targets: Darius Robinson (Missouri) is versatile – can play all DL spots. Brandon Dorlus (Oregon) is elite run defender but limited as pass rusher.
• Bears should trade down from #1 pick to acquire more draft capital. Could still get top WR prospect and use extra 2nd rounder on DL like Robinson.
• Solidifying DL is critical after DC Alan Williams promised Bears will have NFL’s best pass rush. Several intriguing early-round prospects for Bears to evaluate at the Combine.

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Now…

The Chicago Bears enter the 2023 offseason with a clear mandate – build a fierce defensive line that can terrorize opposing quarterbacks. New defensive coordinator Alan Williams boldly promised that Chicago will field the NFL’s most dominant pass rush next season. Now general manager Ryan Poles must back up that talk by acquiring blue-chip trench talent in the draft and free agency.

The process kicks off this week at the NFL Scouting Combine, where over 300 prospects will be evaluated, interviewed and tested. For Poles and his staff, Thursday brings critical on-field workouts from two position groups – defensive linemen and linebackers. This marks the first opportunity to assess top pass-rushing talents who could transform the Bears’ front seven in 2023.

While edge defenders also factor in, upgrading the interior defensive line is arguably Chicago’s greatest need. Last season’s starters – Justin Jones and Armon Watts – failed to provide consistent interior disruption. Jones contributed down the stretch, partially thanks to the arrival of edge rusher Trevis Gipson, but neither cemented themselves for the future.

The ideal addition would be an athletic, powerful three-technique tackle who can penetrate gaps and pressure the quarterback. Veterans like Robert Quinn and Al-Quadin Muhammad could move on this year, making reinforcements up front vital. Poles is surely eager to evaluate freakish DL athletes at the Combine who match that mold.

One name likely high on the Bears’ radar is defensive tackle Braden Fisk from Florida State. The 6-foot-3, 313 pound Fisk earned rave reviews for his dominant showing at the Senior Bowl in February. He lived in opposing backfields all week, blowing up run plays while also collapsing the pocket as a pass rusher. His blend of strength, leverage and relentless motor pops on film.

While not an elite pass-rushing specialist, Fisk has the tools to emerge as a quality three-technique tackle at the NFL level. He pairs power and leverage against the run with enough quickness to penetrate when rushing the passer. Fisk could reasonably fall to the late second or early third round, making him a prime Bears target.

Another small-school prospect who shined on the All-Star circuit was Darius Robinson, a versatile defensive lineman from Missouri. Robinson measured in at nearly 6-foot-5 and 286 pounds at the Shrine Bowl, with incredibly long 35-inch arms. He then backed it up with dominant practice sessions working all across the defensive front.

What makes Robinson truly enticing for the Bears is his positional versatility. He aligned everywhere from traditional 4-3 end to 3-technique tackle during the Shrine Bowl, excelling at disrupting the backfield from every spot. Robinson needs some development as a run defender and pass rushing technician. But his high motor and athletic traits offer tremendous upside.

Given his rising draft stock after the Shrine Bowl, Robinson figures to come off the board in the late second or third round. The Bears lack a second round pick as of now after trading it for receiver Chase Claypool last year. But if Poles can trade down from the first overall pick and acquire more Day 2 capital, he could target Robinson.

Beyond Fisk and Robinson, another Combine defender who fits the Bears’ needs at tackle is homegrown talent Jer’Zhan “Jerzon” Newton from Illinois. The Chicago native enjoyed a breakout 2022 campaign, tallying 26 solo tackles and 7.5 sacks from his three-technique spot. The 6-foot-2, 295 pound Newton combines a thick, stout frame with impressive initial quickness to shoot gaps.

Newton likely projects as more of a one-dimensional pass rusher instead of an every-down tackle who stuffs the run too. But for a Bears defense predicated on getting after the quarterback, Newton warrants a long look. He will have plenty of supporters in his backyard of Chicago. Like Fisk and Robinson, Newton should be in play on Day 2.

Of course, edge defenders remain part of the equation too in rebuilding the Bears’ pass rush. But with Trevis Gipson coming off a breakout season, that position feels more stable. The greater concern is improving the interior rush to take pressure off Gipson and the edges.

Another benefit of drafting defensive line help is that talented depth rushers can be rotated heavily to keep players fresh while still providing disruption. The Philadelphia Eagles had tremendous success last season using a deep defensive front, wearing down opponents through sheer wave after wave of rotating linemen.

Given Alan Williams’ aspirations of defensive dominance, the Bears should look to emulate that formula under his leadership. Adding reinforcements like Fisk, Robinson and Newton would be a great start toward accomplishing that goal.

In order for the Bears to be aggressive addressing defensive line early in the draft, general manager Ryan Poles must maximize his draft capital through trades. Sitting at #1 overall but without a second round pick limits Poles’ flexibility. Trading down out of the top spot could allow Chicago to still land a stud receiver later in Round 1 while regaining a premium Day 2 pick.

Several quarterback-needy teams figure to covet that first overall selection from the Bears. If Poles can negotiate a package that includes high multiple picks this year, especially an additional second rounder, he would have ammo to land defenders like Fisk and Robinson. That combination of premium offensive weapon and youthful DL talent infusion could accelerate Chicago’s rebuild in a major way.

Of course, solving the Bears’ mediocre pass rush also cannot solely rely on unproven rookies alone. Poles may opt to sign veteran free agent help at both tackle and edge rusher too. Players like Javon Hargrave, Dre’Mont Jones, and Jerry Hughes could be short-term bridge players until the young draft picks develop.

But no matter how the positions are addressed, one thing remains certain – the Bears must prioritize acquiring defensive line upgrades this offseason. Between scouting prospects now at the Combine through making their actual selections on draft weekend, reinforcement for the front four remains arguably Chicago’s top roster building objective over the coming months after quarterback Justin Fields’ progression. Only by providing Fields a championship-caliber defense can Poles and coach Matt Eberflus hope to deliver a playoff return for the Bears’ passionate fanbase who have waited too long already thanks the the defense’s decline.

Bear Down Bears fans! And as always… PEACE!