DRAFT SPOTLIGHT

Inside linebacker

Grading the Bears’ need: High. Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski are solid starters, but the Bears need more than four inside linebackers on their roster for training camp. After four seasons with the Bears, Christian Jones, a versatile reserve with 31 career starts, signed a two- year, $ 6.35 million deal with the Lions.

On the roster: Trevathan ($ 7 million average annual value), Kwiatkoski ($ 728,780), Jonathan Anderson ($ 660,000), John Timu ($ 750,000). Top five draft prospects: 1. Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech: Edmunds, who made 226 tackles over three seasons in college, has been compared to Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher because of his size and athleticism. His father, Ferrell, was a Pro Bowl tight end for the Dolphins. 2. Roquan Smith, Georgia: Considered a very instinctual player, Smith had 124 tackles, including 11 ½ for loss, and 5 ½ sacks in his final college season. 3. Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State: An impressive performance at the NFL Scouting Combine cemented his rise into the first round. He had 129 tackles and three sacks last year for Boise State. 4. Rashaan Evans, Alabama: He has been on the field for four years with the Crimson Tide, but he was a full- time starter only last season. 5. Darius Leonard, South Carolina State: A dominant player in the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference, Leonard made 54 tackles for loss in four seasons in college.

I’m intrigued by: Kwiatkoski’s place in the Bears’ long- term plans. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and former coach John Fox spoke glowingly about him in the past.

Draft facts

When: April 26- 28. Where: AT& T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. TV: ESPN, NFL Network and Fox- 32. The Bears’ seven picks: Round 1 ( No. 8 overall), 2 ( No. 39), 4 ( Nos. 105 and 115), 5 ( No. 145), 6 ( No. 181) and 7 ( No. 224).