If the Chicago Bears decide to pass on a left tackle in the first round of this year's draft, all eyes could turn to new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen on night one. Chicago hasn’t gone defense in the first round since selecting Roquan Smith back in 2018, and with the offense getting much of the recent attention, the scales might finally tip back toward the other side of the ball.
And if that happens, keep an eye on Clemson’s T.J. Parker.
Down at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, Parker is already turning heads. One of the most vocal supporters?
Former Bears assistant and current Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt. He’s been working with prospects all week and didn’t hesitate when asked who stood out early - Parker was the first name out of his mouth.
Parker checks a lot of boxes that Allen looks for in a defensive lineman. At 6-foot-3½ and 263 pounds, he brings a well-rounded skill set that goes beyond just chasing quarterbacks.
According to Hurtt, Parker is an every-down player from day one - someone who can set the edge against the run and still bring the heat on passing downs. That kind of versatility is gold in today’s NFL, especially for a Bears defense that’s still trying to find its identity up front.
“Everybody loves the super-fast, twitchy guys,” Hurtt said, “but if they can’t run over a tackle and collapse the pocket, they struggle. [Parker] can do that.”
That physicality and power-based approach are exactly what Allen has leaned on throughout his career. He’s no stranger to first-round pass rushers, and his track record speaks volumes.
As a defensive coordinator in Denver, he was part of the staff that brought in Von Miller in 2011. A few years later, he was in Oakland when the Raiders drafted Khalil Mack in 2014.
Both are on Hall of Fame trajectories. In New Orleans, Allen’s defense added Marcus Davenport in 2018 - a player who flashed real potential before injuries slowed him down.
Even Payton Turner, the 2021 pick who didn’t pan out, fit the mold of what Allen typically looks for: size, strength, and the ability to win with power.
So if Allen sees in Parker what Hurtt sees, there’s a strong chance he’ll give the green light.
And let’s be honest - the Bears need help on the defensive line. Montez Sweat has been a huge addition, and rookie Austin Booker showed flashes, but the rotation lacks depth and consistency.
Chicago’s pass rush was too hot-and-cold last season, and without a third guy to keep offensive lines honest, Sweat saw more double teams than he should have. Parker could be the missing piece - someone who helps form a true three-man rotation that Allen can unleash in waves.
The big question, of course, is whether Parker will still be on the board when the Bears are on the clock at pick 25. Pass rushers tend to fly off the shelves early in the first round, and Parker’s stock is only rising after his early showing in Mobile. If he’s there, though, don’t be surprised if the Bears make him their first defensive first-rounder in six years - and a key building block for Allen’s new-look defense.