Bears may need linebacker help

While offensive line and defensive tackle are getting most of the off-season attention, the Bears cannot ignore their thin situation at linebacker — where they have just two players under contract.

Pisa Tinoisamoa started 10 games last season at strong-side linebacker, and Nick Roach started the other six, plus 15 in 2009 when Tinoisamoa was injured for most of the season.

But both are free agents, as are backups Brian Iwuh and Rod Wilson. That leaves only Pro Bowlers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

The Bears haven’t had a first-round draft pick in three years, and most speculation has them making a move to upgrade a mediocre offensive line or adding an interior defensive lineman.

But they may need help at linebacker just as much.

There are some interesting possibilities at linebacker if an expected run on offensive linemen in the first round leaves the Bears unsatisfied with what’s left with pick No. 29.

UCLA’s Akeem Ayers could be the ideal candidate to fill a potential void at strong-side linebacker if neither Roach nor Tinoisamoa is retained.

Ayers had 10 sacks in the past two seasons while starting 25 games for the Bruins, and he could provide the Bears with another much-needed pass-rush threat.

Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki says Ayers has “ideal size, speed and athleticism.”

The consensus is that this year’s crop of draftees is no better than average, and if not for the largest contingent of underclassmen in draft history would be less than mediocre.

More than half of the 32 first-round picks will be juniors or sophomores, including a possible seven of the first 10 picks.

The strength of this class is on both lines as eight defensive ends and six offensive tackles could go in the first round.

The linebacker crop is no better than mediocre after Texas A&M’s Von Miller, a potential top-five pick.

“The defensive line position is very good again this year,” said Bears general manager Jerry Angelo. “It was very good last year. It’s probably as good or better, in part because (of the) underclassmen that have come out at that position.

“The offensive line is solid ... linebacker maybe not so good. I would say maybe a little bit below average.”

But the Bears still could get linebacker help on the second day of the draft, when the second and third rounds will be held.

Possibilities include North Carolina’s Bruce Carter, who could have been a first-round pick were it not for a torn ACL he suffered in December.

Fresno State’s Chris Carter (no relation) was a defensive end in college and might be a better fit outside in a 3-4 defense.

But he had some experience as an underclassman dropping into coverage, he has good speed and he had 11 sacks last season.

Illinois’ Martez Wilson performed like a first-round pick at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his production often has failed to keep pace with his physical skills.

Still, he has great size for the strong side at 6-feet-4 and 250 pounds, and he ran a wicked-fast 4.49 40 in Indianapolis, the fastest of all the linebackers.

If he somehow slips into the third round, the Bears could get a steal.

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