DRAFT SPOTLIGHT

Defensive line Grading the Bears’ need:

Medium. End Akiem Hicks and nose tackle Eddie Goldman are among the top duos of any 3- 4 scheme, and they could stay together for years if the Bears re- sign Goldman before the final year of his rookie contract. They could use another player to push Roy Robertson- Harris and Jonathan Bullard, who seem primed for a time- share at the other end position, and to provide injury insurance.

On the roster: Hicks ($ 12 million average annual value), Goldman ($ 1.42 million), John Jenkins ($ 880,000), Bullard ($ 853,380), Robertson- Harris ($ 542,333) and Rashaad Coward ($ 510,000).

Top five draft prospects

1. Vita Vea, Washington: The 6- 4, 347- pound mountain played running back in high school.

2. Da’Ron Payne, Alabama: In the last two years, the Crimson Tide have had four D- linemen taken in the first two rounds. He’ll be better than any of them. 3. Maurice Hurst, Michigan: Doctors at the NFL combine discovered a heart condition, but Hurst reportedly hasn’t been asked back for a medical recheck. That’s a good sign.

4. Taven Bryan, Florida: He’s skilled but only had 5 ½ sacks in three years. 5. Harrison Phillips, Stanford: The only player with more bench- press reps at the NFL combine than Vea. Phillips had 42 to Vea’s 41.

I’m intrigued by: What general manager Ryan Pace would do if Bryan is available when the Bears pick in the second round. Pace has bigger needs, but could he pass on a playermany consider a first- round talent?

Draft facts

When: April 26- 28. Where: AT& T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. TV: ESPN, NFL Network, 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).