The Emery Board: Whitney Mercilus

Pardon me, Phil? I know you've been busy putting together an actual receiving corps, and we thank you for that. Jay Cutler reallllly thanks you for it. With all that time spent on receivers, we thought you may need some help with the draft. Grizzly Detail has you covered.

May we recommend Whitney Mercilus, a defensive end from the University of Illinois?

Yes, just take a short drive down I-57 and you will find a 6-foot-3 end who led the NCAA in sacks, tied an NCAA record for forced fumbles and made 22.5 tackles for loss. (Well, it's a short drive from Soldier Field. If you're starting at Halas Hall, traffic on 94 will slow you.) He has been described as cat-like, and like Julius Peppers, he can be moved around the defensive front.

Mercilus would also put talent from the state's flagship university on the Bears roster for the first time since Brandon Lloyd in 2008. And seriously, the name. Bears defenders have a tradition of great names: Butkus, Urlacher, Nagurski, Peppers. Mercilus fits in there perfectly.

The problem? Mercilus has shot up in value since having a breakout senior season and an impressive combine. He may not last until the 19th pick. Nonetheless, he should have a prominent place on the Emery Board.

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