Chicago Bears: 7-Round 2018 mock draft after free agency first wave

With the losses of Pernell McPhee and Jerrell Freeman, the Bears have a need at linebacker. Tremaine Edmunds is as much of a freak of an athlete as Leonard Floyd. Edmunds has a rare combination of elite athleticism, size, and frame. While he has a great body at 6-5, 253 pounds, his frame can easily add more. He has long limbs and great feet. His lateral movement is excellent.

Edmunds gives the Bears incredible flexibility. His ability to play insanely well from sideline to sideline, he can play inside or outside. He is excellent against both the pass and rush.

With the ability to go sideline-to-sideline with speed and take on running backs, who does that remind you of? Yes, a member of this year’s Hall of Fame class Brian Urlacher. Okay, that’s a hefty comparison, but scouts around the league make the same comparisons.

NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock heaped praise on Edmunds. He calls Edmunds “unique” and couldn’t come up with a comparison. He called Edmunds one of a kind.

"I put the first tape in on this kid, and today he’s an off-the-ball linebacker. Meaning in a three-four, he’s an inside linebacker and he’d be great there. He also has a scary skill set as an edge rusher, which he did a little bit at Virginia Tech, and I know for sure he’s working on that now… I think some of the 3-4 teams could look at him and say he could be a 34 outside linebacker, in addition to being a 34 inside linebacker. Right now what I say is a starting-off-the-ball linebacker and a potential sub at edge rusher. He’s got a skill set. I don’t use this word often, but he has a skill set that’s unique."

What’s more incredible with Edmunds is that he is just 19 years old. He’ll turn 20 a few days after the draft. That means he’ll just be hitting his prime when he completes his rookie contract. Some consider Roquan Smith as the top linebacker prospect, but I — along with many scouts — think Edmunds can be a once-in-a-generation player.