Bears linked to sleeper move for 27-sack defender that would raise eyebrows

While the Chicago Bears have already clinched the NFC North and are 11-5 heading into their regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions, one thing is for sure: their defense has remained a significant problem throughout the year.

The Bears rank 28th in the NFL in defense and have managed just 32 sacks on the campaign, which places them toward the bottom of the league.

Montez Sweat leads Chicago with 9.5 sacks and Gervon Dexter is at No. 2 with five, but the Bears’ pass-rushing depth is a major question mark (although Austin Booker has had a great second half since returning from injury).

As a result, Chicago may target an edge rusher in the NFL Draft this spring, and Matt Rooney of Bleacher Nation has already tabbed Illinois Fighting Illini star Gabe Jacas as a potential fit for the Bears.

Gabe Jacas is a major sleeper for the Chicago Bears

We haven’t really heard Jacas’ name mentioned a whole lot, which is why Rooney feels that the pick may be a reach at No. 28. But he loves Jacas’ potential.

“As of now, he’s still a bit of a first-round reach, but I’ve been saying the past few weeks, and I mean it, that I think he’s going to rise up draft boards due to his measurables and athleticism,” Rooney wrote. “… The Bears desperately need help getting to the quarterback, and I think this is a fit, especially with Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, who likes bigger-framed players at EDGE.”

Jacas racked up 43 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and three force fumbles this year and has accumulated 183 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks since arriving at Illinois in 2022. He made an impact for the Fighting Illini right off the bat, logging four sacks during his freshman campaign.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defender has freakish strength and terrific athleticism, possessing the ability to both play upright and down on the line. Adding Jacas to a pass-rushing group that already includes Sweat, Booker and Dexter could suddenly turn a weakness into a strength for the Bears, so it would not be surprising if they considered him in the first round.

Of course, given the amount of talent at edge rusher in this year’s draft class, Jacas would probably have to put forth a very strong effort at the Scouting Combine to establish himself as a Day 1 pick. There is no denying his production, though.

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