The Chicago Bears select Tremaine Edmunds in the SB Nation writer’s mock draft

SB Nation has been running through a writers mock draft and I was tasked with making the selection for the Chicago Bears.

Much like last year (when I took a QB for the Bears), I went with the pick I think general manager Ryan Pace will make if the actual board fell this way. Here’s what went before I was on the clock for the Bears at eight.

1. Cleveland Browns: QB Sam Darnold

2. New York Giants: DE Bradley Chubb

3. New York Jets: QB Josh Rosen

4. Cleveland Browns: RB Saquon Barkley

5. Denver Broncos: QB Baker Mayfield

6. Indianapolis Colts: G Quenton Nelson

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Derwin James

I wasn’t allowed to make any trades, so here’s what I did...

8: Chicago Bears: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

And here’s what I said:

Edmunds’ upside is too high to pass up. He’s only 19-years old and he just racked up over 100 tackles in the ACC. At this point he’s probably still more athlete than football player, because his instincts aren’t all the way there. But like I said, he’s only 19-years old. His technique could use some tightening up, but have I mentioned he’s just 19-years old?

There’s also the question on where to play him. If he stays at inside linebacker he could be a sideline to sideline eraser, but with his size (6’5, 253), converting to outside linebacker makes sense too. The good thing is Edmund’s is young enough to mold into whatever fits team need. I think the Bears may play him outside, but he’s athleticism and potential versatility would give defensive coordinator Vic Fangio plenty of options.

I know changing positions to OLB is a turn off for some, but he really fits the mold for what defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wants from that position. Plus, Fangio himself helps coach outside linebackers.

He’s pretty good in coverage, and he has the speed and athleticism to develop into a quality edge rusher. And think about his age. How many 19-year old have all the moves and counter moves down to terrorize quarterbacks? Right now he may not be able to do more than just use his 4.54 speed to attack off the edge, but Fangio and his staff can coach him up.

Here’s what SB Nation’s Dan Kadar had to say about my pick.

There is a challenge with this pick. It’s what you assume Edmunds can become versus what we know Georgia’s Roquan Smith is right now. Although Edmunds may have more potential, Smith is a ready-made player coming out. Smith is a side-to-sideline dynamo who showed last season that he has some ability to get after the quarterback. Still, if you’re drafting for potential, it’s hard to say Edmunds is a bad pick.

Now head over to SB Nation and grade my selection of Edmunds to the Bears!