The Illinois Fighting Illini will be losing one of their top defensive weapons this offseason, but the NFL will be gaining a top-tier talent. DE Whitney Mercilus, starting for the first time in his collegiate career in 2011, collected an impressive 16 sacks and 8 forced fumbles -- good for best in the nation.
The SB Nation YouTube team has focused in on Mercilus in their latest draft profile:
According to the NFL Draft analysts, Mercilus should be more than just a pure pass rusher:
"The perfect blend of size and speed, Mercilus is versatile enough to hold his own in run support when he's not barreling down on QBs."
While the Chicago Bears are believe to be looking for additions to the defensive line, it is unlikely the Illinois grad will stay in state as Chicago does not pick until No. 19 in the first round.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. And drop by SB Nation NFL for more news and notes from around the league.