Casserly: Maybe OT isn't Bears biggest need, after all

The NFL Network’s Charley Casserly said the Bears may not be as interested in using a first-round pick to better protect quarterback Jay Cutler as many people assume.

“As much as the critics will argue they need an offensive lineman I’m not sure that’s something that’s at the top of their list,” the former executive for the Redskins and Texans said Wednesday. “You might see a good defensive player fall to them, whether it’s a guy like [Purdue defensive end Ryan} Kerrigan as an outside pass rusher, maybe somebody along those lines.”

The Bears may have to trade up from No. 29 to get one of the top-tier offensive tackles even though Casserly said getting one may be as good as getting another.

“Those offensive tackles are so grouped together I’m not so sure that whoever you get — if you’ve got three or four of them there together — the fourth guy might be as good as the first guy in three or four years,” he said. “You can just throw them all in a hat.”

Like other draft analysts, Casserly said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears took a defensive tackle in the first round.

“Corey Liuget from Illinois is a terrific player,” Casserly said. “Maybe he’s a guy that slips down there. Doubtful, but maybe he would. It would be a heck of a pick for them if he drops that far but I don’t think he’ll make it.”