Two defenders at NFL Combine show they could help Bears D-line |
INDIANAPOLIS, I.N. - One of the many priorities for Chicago during this offseason is to improve the defensive line, including getting another edge rusher opposite of Montez Sweat. With how deep this defensive line class is, the Bears should be targeting multiple defensive linemen during the draft and the NFL Combine should have helped to narrow their list down a little.
Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and named an All-American this past season for leading the conference in tackles for loss (21) and sacks (16.5). It was a breakout performance for him, although he also put up impressive numbers as a sophomore when he recorded 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, along with three forced fumbles. In total, Ezeiruaku finished his collegiate career with 113 solo tackles, 47 tackles for loss, and 30 sacks in four years. According to Next Gen Stats, he has one of the highest overall scores of defensive linemen in the draft; only the potential first-overall selection is Abdul Carter from Penn State, and sure, first-rounder Mason Graham from Michigan has higher overall scores than him. While Ezeiruaku did not participate in the 40-yard dash, he got a 35.5-inch vertical jump and a nearly 12-foot broad jump. Per NFL Network, he is similar to Yannick Ngakoue who performed well for the Bears in 2023. Perhaps his greatest weakness is in the run game, which is a little concerning for Chicago as they struggled defending the rush last season. However, he possesses a lot of upside as he has shown a propensity to make plays in the backfield. Part of his success in getting sacks is his agility, athleticism and intelligence that allows him to attack opposing offensive linemen strategically. Per the NFL Mock Draft Database, he has a 10.5 percent chance of getting drafted in the first round but will most likely fall to the second round. Right now, they have him ranked as the No. 41 overall prospect. Given that the Chicago Bears are sitting on two second-round selections - No. 39 and No. 41 overall- they could easily draft Ezeiruaku with one of those picks.
However, given Chicago’s lack of depth at the defensive line, they should leave this draft with more than one defensive lineman, especially given how much talent is in this class. The Bears have four day-three picks, including a fifth-rounder. That may be a good time to go after a player with high potential like edge rusher David Walker.
Coming from an obscure school like Central Arkansas certainly does not help David Walker’s draft stock. Perhaps that is why a defensive end in the top 10 for athleticism score per Next Gen Stats is projected to get drafted in the fifth round per NFL Mock Draft Database.
In 2023, he was named United Athletic Conference (UAC) Defensive Player of the Year after recording 18 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in addition to a pass breakup and forced fumble. He improved on his performance in 2024 with 23 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks as well as six pass breakups and four forced fumbles. Clearly, Walker has shown an ability to make impact plays. The biggest knock on him is probably that he has not had the chance to go against Power-Four offensive linemen.
Nonetheless, he has an impressive bull rush and intelligence in reading offensive linemen before diagnosing their weaknesses and making the big play. A player with those qualities makes him worth looking into as a potential day-three pick for the Chicago Bears.
