It isn’t a big stretch to think the Chicago Bears will be aggressive in their pursuit of offensive upgrades next offseason. Justin Fields is their focus now. Making him a success is absolutely key. That said, GM Ryan Pace (or whoever replaces him) has to know they can’t simply ignore the defense. Not with age becoming an increasing factor in certain areas of their depth chart. Especially up front.
The big name to watch is obviously Akiem Hicks. Not only is he approaching his 32nd birthday, but his contract expires after this season. The same goes for Bilal Nichols. So the Bears’ defensive line could look really different by next year. One thing is for sure. This team has to keep that area of the defense strong given the array of good offensive lines they play every year. The good news? They seem hard at work scouting possible solutions. According to Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron, a scout was present for the Oklahoma-Kansas game on Saturday.
A noteworthy that is certain to get draft buzz was playing in it.
The #Bears have a scout at the Oklahoma-Kansas game. Some 2022 draft names on OU they could be watching:
• DL Perrion Winfrey
• EDGE Nik Bonitto
• TE Austin Stogner
• EDGE Isaiah Thomas
• LB Brian Asamoah II
• OT Wanya Morris
• WR Jadon Haselwood— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 23, 2021
Winfrey is a fascinating case. He’s not the biggest guy in the world. Just 6’3 and 290 lbs. However, he plays much bigger than that. A key reason is his mixture of good length, underrated power, and explosive get-off. This makes him a dangerous interior pass rusher who doesn’t shirk his duties as a run-stopper. He also demonstrates keen intelligence to recognize weaknesses in an offensive line and exploit them. In the midst of a game. Not just on film.
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After just a half-sack in 2020, he has exploded so far in 2021 with 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss through six games. He is an undeniable disruptor who can play multiple spots depending on the situation. Though he doesn’t have the size of a classic 3-4 defensive lineman, he appears well-built for a creative coordinator like Sean Desai.
Gotta love when the NT is making plays out to the numbers
Perrion Winfrey 👀 pic.twitter.com/Hm11rFfRJz
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) July 21, 2021
With Linval Joseph, Justin Jones and Christian Covington set to become FAs in 2022, one of #Chargers biggest needs will be to reload at the IDL. Oklahoma DT Perrion Winfrey is a name to remember next April. (55 tkls, 23 TFL, 9.5 sacks) over two seasons
— Jake Hefner (@JakeTHefner) July 21, 2021
Perrion Winfrey has some juice and power here. Really fun watch despite the inconsistency. pic.twitter.com/OMzes8HnYK
— Ben Glassmire (@BenGlassmireNFL) July 22, 2021
Chicago Bears have to make every pick count in 2022
They will be operating with limited resources after losing their 1st rounder in the Justin Fields trade this past April. If Pace remains in charge, this is not something he’s seeing for the first time. He had just five picks in 2019 and no 1st, 3rd, or 4th rounders in 2020. Yet he still managed to find some valuable talents like David Montgomery, Jaylon Johnson, and Darnell Mooney. So this isn’t a challenge that should intimidate him.
It is quite possible the Chicago Bears will have a shot at Winfrey in the 2nd round. That could change if he finishes the year strong and has a good pre-draft process. Look at history though? Day 2 feels like his sweet spot. For their part, the organization hasn’t drafted a defensive lineman out of Oklahoma in over a decade. They did it twice between 2004 and 2006.
That was where they landed Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek.
So the Bears have had success tapping that pool in the past. Winfrey might be somebody who fits right in for them. So much of that depends on what happens with the coaching staff and front office in the next couple of months.
