A Young Sidekick for Roquan Smith

The slide is unmistakable, as the Bears defense drops from first in the league against the run in 2018 to 23rd now.

Each year they've descended a bit in the rankings against the run and it's a fatal flaw in the NFL.

When a team can't stop the run, it gives offenses the easiest way to exploit them and cuts down the possibility of turnovers. Then it opens up the play-action passing game.

At the same time, Bears tackling has diminished noticeably since 2018.

They're lacking at an important position on defense for stopping the run and that's inside linebacker. Roquan Smith can't do everything, although they've been asking him to do this for a few years now.

When the Bears look for help in the offseason through the draft or free agency they will need to consider an inside linebacker starter a priority.

They're still getting by with 30-something Danny Trevathan and street free agent Alec Ogletree. If designated a post-June 1 cut next year, Trevathan would provide $3.5 million cap savings according to Overthecap.com. Ogletree is a free agent after this season.

The players behind them have never shown promise to ascend to a starting role now. Christian Jones will be 31 next season and wasn't an effective starter for Detroit. At this point in his career he is a versatile backup.

So they must find an inside linebacker either in free agency or in the draft capable of starting, and not one who will go in Round 1 obviously, as they lack a first-round pick.

NFL Draft Bible's top 100 players are out and there are a couple of inside linebackers who might pique their interest as Round 2-3 types.

Christian Harris, Alabama

Besides playing in the defense for a traditional defensive power, Harris is a leader on the field and can cover the pass or defend the run.

Lorenz Leinweber of NFL Draft Bible cites Harris' inconsistency as a tackler as a reason he might not be one of the best players in the draft.

"He is not a reliable tackler, getting juked out due to a lack of twitch and often coming in too high," Leinweber wrote in an assessment for the web site. "In zone (coverage), he does not have the desired instincts, struggling to locate routes behind him and playing with bad spacing at times."

However, the overall assessment is positive.'

"Athletically gifted linebacker with explosiveness and length," Leinweber wrote. "Harris is a modern-day player able to run cover and blitz. He has the physical traits and leadership qualities coveted."

NFL Draft Bible currently has Harris as No. 54 in their top 100, which would most likely would put him in Round 2 striking distance for the Bears.