The Chicago Bears have a slew of roster needs heading into the 2022 NFL draft. While wide receiver and offensive line have been popular topics of conversation — for good reason — there are other needs on defense.
That includes linebacker, a position that got thinner this offseason with the departures of Alec Ogletree and Danny Trevathan. While Roquan Smith anchors the linebacking corp, there are questions about who will line up alongside him in Chicago’s new 4-3 defense.
The Bears signed Nicholas Morrow in free agency, who projects to fill one of those starting roles. But Morrow is on a one-year deal and they still have another starting job to fill in an otherwise thin free agent market. It doesn’t help that they have limited draft capital (six picks) amid an abundance of needs.
According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, Chicago recently hosted Oklahoma linebacker Brian Asamoah on a Top 30 visit. He’s a versatile linebacker who’s currently projected to go on Day 3, likely in the fourth or fifth round.
The Bears hosted Oklahoma LB Brian Asamoah on a Top 30 visit today, per source.
Versatile LB that checks a ton boxes at the second level.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 6, 2022
The #Bears need speed at LB alongside Roquan Smith, and one guy I like is Oklahoma’s Brian Asamoah.
He has legit closing speed and plenty of range in run support. Consensus stock is all over the place, but I like him on late Day 2. pic.twitter.com/RVeBJ3LHgz
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) February 18, 2022
Here’s what The Draft Network had to say about Asamoah:
As a starter, Asamoah did not disappoint, becoming an instant impact player for the Sooners. As a prospect, Asamoah shows great athleticism that allows him to be a sideline-to-sideline player showcasing great closing speed to the ball-carrier. Asamoah has the ability to key and diagnose run plays, and on arrival, Asamoah is a violent tackler that thrusts his entire body into the ball-carrier. Asamoah is a good athlete at linebacker that should see early playing time in nickel packages in the NFL.
During his time at Oklahoma, Asamoah played primarily at middle linebacker, but it’s his versatility that makes him an intriguing option. There are questions about where Smith will line up — although he’s a prime candidate at weakside linebacker, where Darius Leonard thrived under Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis.
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