Ego Ferguson

As a second-round rookie last season, Ferguson showed glimpses of potential as a 4-3 defensive tackle, recording 22 tackles and two sacks in 16 games. Though Stephen Paea’s offseason departure would have opened up a clearer path to more playing time in 2015 for Ferguson, the Bears’ scheme switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 will remove a starting job along the defensive line and force the second-year pro to transition to defensive end. Ferguson figures to be behind Jarvis Jenkins on the depth chart entering the season, but his strength and size should at least allow him to see the field semi-regularly as a rotation player.

Ferguson posted rather modest career numbers during his college career at LSU, but his size (6-foot-3, 309 lbs.) and combination of power and speed prompted the Bears to gamble on his upside in the second round. He'll be counted on to occupy extra blockers and help clog the running lanes, but don't expect that to translate to much meaningful IDP production. Ferguson will compete for snaps at either tackle spot with Stephen Paea, Jeremiah Ratliff, and fellow rookie Will Sutton.