2011 NFL Combine: 5 Defensive Tackles the Chicago Bears Should Be Watching

The Bears are well known for having superior defenses, and with a defense that did very well last season, they are going to want to make sure that they continue to keep it up for the 2011 season.

Without that strong defense, it’s doubtful that they would have gotten to where they ended up (in the NFC Championship Game). That defense was clearly the biggest reason why Chicago had success last season.

Now it’s time that the Bears made some upgrades to that defense, and there is no better way to do that, aside from free agency, than through the NFL draft.

The Bears' defensive tackle position has seen its struggles from time to time and needs some help. With Tommie Harris most likely headed out of town this offseason, the Bears will be on the lookout for someone to replace him and provide them with some extra depth on the defensive line.

With the 2011 Scouting Combine under way in Indianapolis, the Bears have the opportunity to take a look at some of the talent available there and try to make a determination on which players may help their defense (at the defensive tackle position). Will they be able to find someone to help give them some depth at the defensive tackle position?

Let’s take some time to look at five prospects that are working out at the combine at the defensive line position that might interest the Bears.

Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins of Clemson takes a break during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Bears like those lighter defensive tackles, and Jenkins fits that mold perfectly. He comes in at 6’3” and 309 pounds and is athletic and very explosive off the line.

Jenkins can get up the field quickly and make plays in the backfield as a result. He’s got a nice bull rush, good power and plays 100 percent all of the time, which is a huge plus.

What he lacks is the ability to rush the passer effectively. He’s also much heavier at the top than ideal and isn’t an every-down player (he wears down at times in games and is only really a two-down player). He also suffered a knee injury that might warrant some close attention.

It’s too bad that Jenkins' pass rushing skills aren’t the best because he would be an ideal third or fourth-round pick for the Bears in the 2011 NFL draft. They may keep an eye on him and see how he works out and then determine whether or not he’s worth taking in the draft. He would be a good fit in Chicago.

Corey Liuget, DE/DT, Illinois

There are several mock drafts floating around out there that have the Bears taking Illinois' Corey Liuget in the first round, and it could be a possibility.

Liuget has nice size for the position, especially when it comes to the style of defense the Bears play (as mentioned before with lighter and quicker defensive tackles). He’s athletic and can get up the field and through the line in a hurry to make the play in the backfield.

He’s got a good burst off of the ball and has a nice initial punch (on the opponent) when he comes off the ball. He works very well against the run, works hard on each and every play and can create turnovers easily.

What Liuget lacks is the some of the skill and ability that defensive linemen have at this point in college, and he may need some additional work by the coaching staff to make himself better. He does have some issues with conditioning as well and can wear down as the game goes on. Liuget needs to watch his weight as well.

The Bears might have some interest in Liuget because of his size and ability to play in their style of defense. The Bears rotate their defensive linemen, so his conditioning issues might not be too big of a problem, but it should weigh on their decision on whether or not to draft him. He’s a sure-fire late first to early second-round prospect, so if the Bears want him they would probably have to take him with their first-round pick, and that might be a wise idea with the need that they have on the defensive line.

Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

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PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Derrick Coleman #33 of the UCLA Bruins runs from Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers at the Rose Bowl on November 6, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The big buzz about Paea came with his record-breaking bench press at the combine the other day, as he did 49 reps (at 225 pounds). But how many times a player does the bench press isn’t the biggest measure of his talent.

Paea comes in as an athletic player who is very explosive and is quick off the ball. He has a lot of power, gets through the line quickly and can make plays in the backfield. Paea has great change of direction and is very mobile.

His downside includes problems with his height (he comes in at 6’1”), but this may be fine with the Bears. He does need some work on his pass rushing moves and needs to be more productive against the pass. He has suffered a knee injury as well, and that may be of some concern to the Bears, as may be the fact that he played only three years of football prior to playing in college.

Paea is an interesting prospect that might interest Chicago because of his size and ability. He still needs some work but could get that from the fine defensive coaching staff that Chicago has assembled, and after he gets that coaching he could be an impact player on the team. He’s probably a second-round prospect, so the Bears may have to do some maneuvering or finger crossing (hoping that he falls to them) in order to get him in the draft.

Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Former North Carolina teammates Marvin Austin (L) and Bruce Carter look on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

There may be a few people that scoff at the idea of the Bears taking Austin after he was suspended by the Tar Heels for the season, but if he can prove that he’s over the problems that dragged him down in college, then he might be worth a pick from the third round on.

When he was playing, Austin exhibited great athleticism for the position as well as good agility. He can get off the ball quickly, has good power and can move the pocket in an effort to reach and sack the quarterback.

He’s got a good initial burst off the line and has plenty of moves to get him past offensive linemen, up the field and to the quarterback.

Of course, Austin's biggest issue centers on his trouble in school, and many people wonder if he will be able to stay straight in the NFL. On the field, he isn’t consistent and appears to take some plays off. He has problems staying motivated and often plays too high. There is a lot of potential there, but he could either be a success or a failure with nothing in between.

It’s not like the Bears to take an interest in players with problems, but if Austin can show that he’s determined to put the past behind him and focus on football, then they might have some interest in him. He’s a great talent and has a lot of potential, but the risks may outweigh the rewards, and the Bears don’t need that kind of player on the team.

Terrell McClain, DT, South Florida

Ranked as a fourth to fifth-round prospect, McClain, with his 6’1”, 304-lb. body, is another player that the Bears may be interested in at the combine and after.

McClain is pretty quick and shows some good explosion and ability to get off the snap in a hurry. He has good balance and is hard to move off the ball at times. He plays 100 percent all the time and has solid work ethic.

What he lacks is good mechanics. He plays high at times and doesn’t get his arms all the way out to engage blockers and control them. He needs to add something to his pass rushing repertoire and improve his concentration, especially when making the tackle.

McClain is an interesting prospect who is going to need some development in order to be a solid contributor, but if the Bears feel that they need the depth and have the time and desire to develop a potentially good talent, they could be drafting him in the 2011 NFL draft.