(Photo: 247Sports)
As NFL Free Agency continues to slow down and all 32 franchises across the league look forward to the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears will be one of the most active teams on draft weekend. With four picks inside the top 75, general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson will have plenty of opportunities to add quality talent to the roster.
Set to be one of the deepest edge rusher classes in recent memory, Poles and Johnson could view the upcoming class as an opportunity to add even more pass rushers. Along with two second-round picks (No. 39 and No. 41) and three picks on day three, the Bears could add some more talent to a rotation that already includes Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and 2024 fifth-round pick Austin Booker. It'd give defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a perfect mix of young players and veterans.
One name to watch as a potential prospect on day three is Virginia Tech Hokies edge rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland, who leaves college with 30 total sacks, including 16.0 in 2024.
Length and strength aren't his strongsuits but on tape, he does manage to find a way win reps consistently, making him an intriguing fit at the next level.
Let's get into our scouting report on Ryland.
From his NFL.com draft profile via Lance Zierlein:
"Powell-Ryland used smart hands and a diversified rush plan to accumulate 25.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He lacks length and speed but creates pressures by remaining varied and unpredictable. He uses accurate, violent hands to eliminate the punch and kick-start his bull rush. Powell-Ryland plays with a sturdy base and good leverage at the point, but he's unlikely to control the edge. NFL length will limit his early wins, so he'll need to keep developing his counters. The production is hard to ignore but modest traits and average athleticism will make it tough for his numbers to translate to the next level."
Film:
Strengths:
- Has a spontaneous play style which allows him to really surprise offenses on any given down.
- Counter moves as a pass rusher have proven to be effective.
- Will be a physical tackler out in space.
- Plays the game with violent hands, often throwing offensive lineman off their feet.
- Solid production over the last two seasons make him one of the most intriguing players to project at the next level.
- Has the makings of being a solid run defender.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of length will limit the impact he can have at the next level.
- Allows bigger and stronger offensive linemen to knock him off his feet.
- Not the most explosive player on the field.
- Average athleticism that hinders him from being an every-down starter.
Final Thoughts:
For a team that has a solid group of pass rushers on the roster, Powell-Ryan makes sense. He'll slide into the depth chart as a rotational piece and end up finding a role as a valuable contributor but won't ever turn into a true game-changing pass rusher who can impact an entire defense.
Because of the production, he will still be one of the most intriguing prospects in April's draft and could hear his name called on late day two or even early day three.
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