Chicago Bears A Prime Landing Spot For Reggie Ragland

Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Noted Bleacher Report analyst and NFL draft expert Matt Miller released his latest mock draft looking towards 2016 and one of his more interesting choices fell on the Chicago Bears with the 15th overall pick.

Reggie Ragland

Inside Linebacker

Alabama

"“A do-it-all linebacker with the size to play inside of a 3-4 scheme at “Mike” linebacker? Yep, that’s exactly what the Chicago Bears need.Ragland comes to the NFL game-ready, and with his experience in Alabama’s 3-4 scheme, he’s a natural fit in what defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes to do. Ragland can line up in that middle linebacker spot, and his college film shows a player who can rush the passer and lock up athletic tight ends. Ragland may not test exceptionally well, but he’s a true three-down linebacker with the run-stuffing chops to change this defense.”"

No position on the Bears defense has given them more headaches than inside linebacker.  Shea McClellin, their 2012 first round pick who started out as a defensive end has been their best player but even he has struggled.  So has Christian Jones, the former undrafted free agent who became starter along with McClellin at the start of the year.

Both have been major contributors to the Bears having the 29th ranked run defense in the NFL, allowing 127.9 yards per game.  They seem to lack that aggressive, downhill mentality traditional 3-4 inside linebackers need.  That is what makes the Ragland selection so obvious.

Alabama linebackers come from a 3-4 system and are most often known for their run-stopping ability first.  Ragland is no exception.  Here is a good video of what makes him such a great fit.

On that play he shows the vision and patience to watch the play develop and then there is zero hesitation as he attacks the line of scrimmage, fills the gap and slams the running back for no gain.  That is textbook inside linebacker.  There may be some debate over how high his ceiling might be, but one thing is clear.

If Chicago calls his name next spring at the 2016 draft, they’ll be getting a tough, instinctive defender from a proven program who would be ready to play right away.