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Today we're going to take a look at a likely first-round defensive end in Mizzouri's Kony Ealy. With the Bears needing to beef up their pass rush (and defensive line overall), they signed defensive end Lamarr Houston and defensive end Willie Young, but a player like Ealy could give them a little additional youth to develop, as well as fill the void created in part by the departure of Shea McClellin to linebacker.
Ealy might give some fans a McClellin flashback (primarily a pass-rusher, scheme versatility), but Ealy is a little bigger and heavier than McClellin (6'5", 275 versus McClellin's 6'3" 260) as well as played in a tougher conference (the SEC versus Boise State's annual destruction of the lesser MWC).
Ealy finished the 2013-14 season with 30 solo tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 8 sacks and an interception for a touchdown (stats not including bowl games). His teammate Michael Sam got the conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Year honor, though Ealy's measureables are extremely interesting.
Ealy's weaknesses are his high pad level and discomfort in coverage, but he rushes the passer well through good speed, a few decent moves and counter-moves, and solid change-of-direction. He also gets his hands up well, deflecting 13 passes in his two seasons as a Mizzouri starter. CBS lists his comparable as Robert Quinn.
CBS mockers make this seem like it would be a slight overdraft for the Bears in round one, as they list the Cardinals (20), Broncos (31) and Saints (27) as his destination. WalterFootball has him also to the Saints.
With the DE market being a little light (with most notably Jadaveon Clowney, Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr ahead of him), would you be upset if the Bears took Ealy at 14?