INDIANAPOLIS — Bears coach Matt Eberflus has talked about the importance of finding a powerful three-technique defensive tackle since he took the job, but the team still isn’t sure whether it has what it needs.
As the Bears look toward the middle rounds of the draft, they could take another shot at that position, and Florida State’s Braden Fiske understands what they want.
Fiske had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl and spent most of that time working with former Bears assistant Justin Hinds, who left to become the Seahawks’ defensive-line coach last week.
“We talked a ton about playing three-technique and the Bears’ attack style and how it’s the way I play,” Fiske told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. “We had a lot of similarities in the way we saw that. I could definitely see a future in that defense.
“They’re a growing, young defense that flies around, and that’s a cool thing about them because that’s something I bring to my own game: I call myself one of the few sideline-to-sideline defensive tackles.”
Fiske, 24, is 6-4, 295 pounds and had six sacks last season after transferring from Western Michigan. ESPN ranked him the No. 6 defensive tackle in the draft.
The Bears took Gervon Dexter in the second round and Zacch Pickens in the third last year but are always searching for upgrades and depth. Dexter played 40% of the snaps and Pickens 25%.
And after the Bears’ Nos. 1 and 9 picks in the first round, they’re not up again until the third at No. 75 overall. At that point, the goal will be to get the best possible player rather than focus on any specific position.
“Fiske is insane,” Florida State defensive end Jared Verse said. “I don’t think there’s any plays you could bring up of him loafing. That guy is incredible.”
Newton recovering
Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton won’t do drills during the combine but hopes to at a pro day in early April as he recovers from foot surgery.
Newton discussed the January surgery for the first time Wednesday. He said he first felt pain in the middle of the season and wanted to have surgery early in the offseason to give him the most time to recover in time for the pros.
“I’m pretty good at keeping secrets,” he joked.
The surgery could complicate Newton’s draft evaluation. He could become the second straight Illinois player selected in the first round. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was drafted fifth overall by the Seahawks last year.
“People graduate, but tradition stays forever,” he said. “I feel like we set that tone last year.”
This and that
Eberflus’ evaluation of Shane Waldron as an offensive coordinator candidate was significantly influenced by “a real long conversation” with ex-Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
“He just gleamed about Shane and talked at length about his ability to adapt and adjust and what they did with the quarterbacks that were there in Seattle,” Eberflus said. “You have his head coach say those words about him . . . and watch the tape — to me, that’s proof.”
• Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, ranked the No. 21 prospect overall by NFL Network, said Wednesday he has six dogs. He had to either walk them in shifts or take them all to a dog park.
“Those are my buddies right there,” he said.
• Multiple prospects, including UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu, said no teams other than the Bears held competitions as part of their meetings.
Contributing: Patrick Finley
