Eddie Goldman to the Bears: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown
Published by Ross Read on May 1, 2015
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
On Day 1 of the draft, the Bears went offense. At the start of Day 2, they went back to their defensive roots with nose tackle Eddie Goldman.
Goldman is a 6’4”, 336-pound run-stuffing machine. It was vital for the Bears to come away with a player who can anchor the middle up front in this 3-4 scheme, and they got great value in Goldman.
Last season, the Bears gave up over 1,800 yards on the ground. In 2013, it was over 2,500. Goldman now pairs with defensive end Ray McDonald and last year’s second-round pick, defensive end Ego Ferguson, to form a much-improved front.
Goldman does a great job exploding out of his stance. He uses his hands to club would-be blockers and maintains leverage at the point of attack. Running backs looking to sneak by Goldman struggle because he springs himself into their bodies and uses his size to smother them.
When defensive coordinator Vic Fangio held the same job in San Francisco, his group was seventh in the NFL against the run in 2014 and fourth in 2013. Fangio had solid nose tackles in Glenn Dorsey and Ian Williams up front during those years to slow down the run.
Putting Goldman up front instantly helps inside linebackers Mason Foster and Jon Bostic. Both Foster and Bostic are rangy players who like to fly to the football. Goldman eating up blocks, taking on double-teams and shifting running backs to other directions will allow Foster and Bostic to clean up.
The one area Goldman needs to improve is his pass-rushing ability. He isn’t very explosive up the field and hasn’t really adopted any pass-rushing moves yet. Being around Jay Ratliff will help him develop just enough in that area to be a marginal threat to sack the quarterback.
Many wanted the Bears to target Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton in the first round. While Shelton is a good prospect, the Bears get more value in the second round here. Goldman is behind Shelton as a prospect, but not by much.
Shelton attacks the quarterback better than Goldman but Goldman brings more value with his size and as a dominating run stuffer. General manager Ryan Pace has proved in two straight picks he’s going to fill needs and still take the best player available.
It’s been a long time since the Bears have had a real big-man force at defensive tackle. Tommie Harris was more of a pass-rusher in his prime. You have to go back to the days of Keith Traylor and Ted Washington during that magical 2001 13-3 season to see size this big up front.
It’s a good thing the Bears didn’t overpay for former Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, because they just got a better player at a better value.
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