GM Ryan Poles is no liar. He said from the outset that he intends to build the Chicago Bears from front to back. In other words, the trenches will be the primary focus first before moving on to the skill positions. He wants this team to control the action up front. Not a bad plan. Great teams tend to do this. Poles is following through on that promise too. He’s already signed two new starters in Lucas Patrick at center and Justin Jones at defensive tackle. He may add a third in guard Ryan Bates over the next couple of days. The Bears aren’t limiting this approach to free agency either. Esezi Otomewo is the latest evidence of that.
Not long ago, I reported from a source that the Bears were showing serious interest in UTSA defensive end Charles Wiley. Now according to Mike Kaye of Pro Football Network, Otomewo is slated to join that list.
University of Minnesota EDGE rusher Esezi Otomewo has a busy road to the NFL Draft over the next few weeks. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound pass rusher has “Top 30” visits scheduled with the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders, according to a league source who was not authorized to speak publicly on the meetings.
From a purely physical standpoint, it isn’t hard to understand why the Bears are interested in the Gophers defensive end. He’s 6’5, 285 lbs, with 34-inch arms and considerable power. Players with those traits can often build a successful career in the NFL. What teams have concerns about is the production. For all his natural ability, his numbers don’t match up. Across four years and 34 total games, he managed just 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss.
That leaves question marks.
Why wasn’t he more effective? Was it a motivation issue? A scheme issue? Or is he missing something in his game that makes him a liability in certain situations? This is likely a big reason why they want to meet with him. They’ll work him out and pick his brain, figuring out his thought process on and off the field. While he didn’t flourish in college, there is definite untapped potential.
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Esezi Otomewo has established value in one sense
Most experts agree that he is a dependable run defender. He sets the edge with strength and good technique, making it difficult to move him off his spot. That is why many believe his future could be as a defensive end in a 3-4 alignment. The fact Matt Eberflus and his coaches are interested in him suggests they envision something more. Otomewo does have a quality bull rush and some solid other pass rush moves. The problem is he doesn’t have an extended arsenal, and his overall burst is lacking.
Some believe this problem could be corrected by moving him inside to defensive tackle. There his bull rush and length could be far more effective. A similar approach was taken with DeForest Buckner back in 2016. The former All-Pro was viewed as a classic 3-4 end. San Francisco moved him inside to defensive tackle where he became a terror. The Bears may envision the same for Esezi Otomewo.
Something to watch.
Current projections have him going somewhere on Day 3 of the draft. Likely between the 5th and 7th rounds. Chicago has three picks in that range, with two 5th round picks and one 6th round pick. Poles may look to add more via trades in the earlier rounds.
