Hub Arkush: Bears' defensive front strong, but some prospects worth a look

Editor’s note: This is Part 7 of a 10-part series of our updated post-NFL Combine draft prospect rankings by position, with brief comments on players who appear likely to be fits for the Bears.

The problem with college defensive linemen these days is sorting out the defensive tackles from the 5 techniques, 4-3 defensive ends and edge rushers.

Part 8 of this series will include players we project more as 4-3 ends and edge rushers, but players such as A.J. Epenesa, a certain first-rounder, are hard to lock into a position at the next level other than to say he won’t be an interior defensive tackle, but he could be a first and second-down 5 tech who slides outside in 40 fronts.

What we have in this group are the guys almost certain to be inside all the time whether they end up in a 3-4 or 4-3 base package, and it’s a good but not great group with some depth at the top and in the middle rounds.

From a Bears perspective, it seems unlikely they’ll be shopping this position with Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris and Brent Urban giving them star power and solid depth.

On the other hand, Robertson-Harris could be expensive to keep after this season, Urban is a rotational player at best, and Nichols still could go either way, so a Nichols-type prospect with great explosion and pass rush ability could interest them on Day 3.

Day 1 Prospects

(Players without 40-yard dash times did not run at the NFL Combine; NI Combine denotes players not invited to combine.)

1. Derrick Brown, Auburn: 6-4, 318; 5.16 – 40

2. A.J. Epenesa, 5 Tech / 4-3 DE, Iowa: 6-6, 280; 5.14 – 40

3. Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina: 6-5, 315

4. Raekwon Davis, Alabama 6-7, 312: 5.12 – 40

Day 2 Prospects

5. Ross Blacklock, TCU: 6-4, 305; 4.90 – 40

6. Jordan Elliott, 5 Tech, Missouri: 6-4, 315; 5.02 – 40

7. Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M: 6-3, 300; 4.83 – 40

8. James Lynch, 5 Tech, Baylor: 6-4, 295; 5.01 – 40

9. Leki Fotu, Utah 6-4, 335: 5.15 – 40

10. Davon Hamilton, Ohio State: 6-4, 327, 5.14 – 40

Day 3 Prospects

11. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma: 6-2, 302; 4.79 – 40

12. Larrell Murchison, North Carolina State: 6-2, 291; 5.05 – 40

13. Benito Jones, Mississippi: 6-1, 321; 5.26 – 40

14. Tyler Clark, Georgia: 6-3, 290, NI Combine

15. Nick Coe, 5 Tech / 4-3 DE, Auburn: 6-5, 291 4.89 – 40

16. Rashard Lawrence LSU 6-2, 308 5.07 – 40

17. McTelvin Agim, Arkansas: 6-3, 300; 4.98 –40

18. Khalil Davis, Nebraska: 6-2, 315; 4.75 – 40

19. Joe Gaziano, 5 Tech / 4-3 DE, Northwestern: 6-4, 275; NI Combine

20. Broderick Washington, Texas Tech: 6-3, 305

21. Raequan Williams, Michigan State: 6-4, 303; 5.04 – 40

22. Larrell Murchison, North Carolina State: 6-2, 291, 5.05 – 40

Madubuike: Madubuike is neither as thick nor as bulky as you'd like at 300 pounds, but his 31 reps on the bench at the combine matched the strength and explosiveness he played with in college, and for a man his size, his athleticism and quickness are outstanding. The question is whether he can hold the point of attack at the next level, and he really projects as a mid- to late third-round pick, which the Bears don't have at the moment.

Hamilton: Most scouts I've talked to have Hamilton in the middle of Day 3, but I like him more than most because when I turn on the tape, I see a poor man's Akiem Hicks. He's not quite as big or powerful but still a big man with some special traits who was a true gamer at Ohio State. I'm guessing he's one of the first players off the board on Day 3 if he's not gone already.

Gallimore: This player is all about the upside, as he has phenomenal quickness, is a high-end athlete and plays to the whistle and beyond on every snap. But he's smaller than you'd like and will have to add bulk and strength at the next level. He does have some of the special plays you search for on his college tape and could be there in the fifth or sixth round for a flier.

• Hub Arkush is Shaw Media's director of football content. Write to him at harkush@profootballweekly.com, and follow him on Twitter @Hub_Arkush.