Chicago Bears Urged To Target ‘Next Brian Urlacher’ In 2026 NFL Draft
For Chicago Bears fans, the name Brian Urlacher evokes memories of a dominant era of defense. Since the Hall of Famer hung up his cleats, the team has been searching for a player who brings that same unique blend of size, speed, and game-wrecking ability to the middle of the field. According to one analyst, the Bears might finally have the chance to find his successor in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears Urged To Draft LB Anthony Hill Jr.
Erik Lambert of Sports Mockery believes that Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. isn’t just a good prospect—he’s a player with a skillset eerily similar to No. 54. Lambert argues that with the 25th overall pick, general manager Ryan Poles should seriously consider bringing Hill to Chicago to anchor the defense.
Why the Urlacher Comparison Makes Sense
Comparing any college prospect to a Hall of Famer is dangerous territory, but Lambert makes a compelling case based on playing style and physical tools. Brian Urlacher wasn’t just a tackle machine; he was a freak athlete who could run with wide receivers and crush quarterbacks.
Hill measures in at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, a frame nearly identical to Urlacher’s. More importantly, he plays with a similar explosiveness. Lambert notes that Hill is projected to run the 40-yard dash in the low 4.4-second range, giving him the sideline-to-sideline range that made Urlacher famous.
But the comparison goes deeper than just measurables. It’s about how they attack the quarterback. Lambert points out that many fans forget Urlacher entered the league as a ferocious blitzer, racking up 21 sacks in his first four seasons. Similarly, Hill was a nightmare for offenses at Texas, recording 17 sacks during his college career. He isn’t just an off-ball linebacker who waits for the play to come to him; he attacks the backfield with aggression.
A Perfect Fit for Dennis Allen’s Defense
The potential drafting of Hill becomes even more intriguing when looking at the Bears’ current coaching staff. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen has a history of utilizing linebackers who can get after the quarterback. During his time with the New Orleans Saints, Allen turned Demario Davis into a blitzing weapon, helping him secure 31 sacks over seven seasons.
If the Bears move on from veterans like Tremaine Edmunds to clear cap space, as some speculate, the need for a dynamic playmaker at linebacker becomes urgent. Hill’s ability to diagnose plays quickly and finish with violence fits perfectly into the aggressive scheme Allen prefers.
Filling the Void in the Middle
The Bears have had good linebackers since Urlacher retired, most notably Roquan Smith. However, the defense has arguably lacked a true “unicorn”—a player whose mere presence forces offenses to change their game plan.
Drafting a linebacker in the first round isn’t always considered the “value” move in modern football, where edge rushers and wide receivers often take priority. But as Lambert argues, a true difference-maker transcends positional value. If Anthony Hill Jr. is available when the Bears go on the clock at No. 25, passing on a talent with Urlacher-like potential might be a mistake the franchise can’t afford to make.
