MID-SEASON LOOK: BEARS FULL MOCK DRAFT

Ohio State CB Bradley Roby

BY LANCE N. POIRRIER
@IBleedBluNOrang

1ST ROUND

Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
5’11 1/8″, 190

Both Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman are scheduled to be free agents this off-season and this might be the time to move on from them.  By adding one of the top corners in free agency and a young corner like Roby, they could be on to something good. Roby has the size and speed to really make a name for himself in the NFL, though I’m not sure how he’ll fair against #1 receivers with being less than 200 pounds, but he’ll be a great complementary corner instantly, with room to grow. Roby seems better suited for a zone based defense rather than the Bears’ (who run their corners in more man matchups than anything), but Roby’s fast and reactive nature should keep him out of any trouble made by stronger WR’s.  The best thing about Roby’s speed is he can quickly and easily correct minor mistakes, get back in position, and make a play.  Roby also has the strength of an NFL corner, while being an effective jammer and excellent blitzer.

2ND ROUND

Jeoffrey Pagan, DT, Alabama
6’4″, 290

Pagan has the perfect frame to work in the base Tampa-2 scheme the Bears run. He’s used to playing DE when Alabama is in their 3-4 sets, but he’d do essentially the same thing on the inside of the Bears’ defense and he could quickly become the star of a revamped defensive line in Chicago. Pagan’s experience as a 3-4 end would be beneficial should the Bears incorporate a hybrid-style defense with several different looks, much like other successful teams have run, including the 49ers, Seahawks, and Ravens.

Colorado State C Weston Richburg

3RD ROUND

Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State
6’3 1/4″, 297

A new center has been one of the Bears needs for some time now, and Richburg is one of the best under-the-radar prospects of the 2014 draft class. He’s got a powerful snap equalling to an always pristine delivery. Richburg also has a powerful upper body which keeps him in any battle and can be amplified by his usually good technique. With some fine tuning Richburg could be one of the best centers in the NFL for some time and an immediate upgrade at the position for the Bears.

4TH ROUND

Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
6’2 1/4″, 220

The Bears need to double dip on corners in this draft, and Jean-Baptiste is a tall, athletic corner who’ll best thrive in a defense like the Bears’, where he’ll play man to man coverage more than anything. Bump and run won’t be SJB’s thing in the NFL due to lack of arm strength, and he shouldn’t be lined up on a team’s top WR who could over power him. Jean-Baptiste must work on his sloppy tackling to survive in the NFL. When you see Stanley Jean-Baptiste think of another famous hyphenated NFL CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

5TH ROUND

Brendan Kelly, DE, Wisconsin
6’6″, 255

Kelly is one of my favorite prospects you’ve never heard of. He’s got the size/speed to succeed in the Bears’ 4-3, can bend the edge and apply pressure on the outside of the pocket, and also possesses the agility and strength to shed blockers and jump inside on run plays. Kelly also provides versatility along the Wisconsin defensive front playing some OLB when Wisconsin is running their 3-4 scheme, which is all the better should the Bears introduce more 3-4 in 2014. Unfortunately Kelly has had a difficult time shaking the injury bug over the last few seasons missing substantial time in the last two years.

Florida FB Trey Burton

6TH ROUND (FROM TB)

Trey Burton, FB, Florida
6’3″, 229

Most successful offenses have a “move” or “flex” type player who they can play all over to create mismatches around the field, and Trey Burton is just that. He’s got great size and incredible speed, can play any spot you could ask, including FB, TE, HB, and he originally came to Florida as a QB, took on some kick return duties, and is now the versatile player we know today. Burton will be listed as a FB in the NFL, but like a Swiss Army knife, you can simply move him somewhere different and still get production.

6TH ROUND

Donte Rumph, DT, Kentucky
6’2 1/4″, 323

Rumph is a big-bodied space-eater, but maintains the speed required to run with the Bears 4-3 pressure scheme. His size still gives him the option to play NT should the Bears adapt a hybrid style defense.  Rumph’s incredible mass and strength let him maintain pressure, even on a double block.

MID-SEASON LOOK: BEARS DRAFT NEEDS

G Kyle Long has impressed so far in his rookie season.

BY TYLER GROSS
@TJGross13

We are eight games into the Marc Trestman era in the Windy City, and at 5-3, the Bears have had their share of ups and downs. The offense has vastly improved, while the aging defense has been bitten by the injury bug. Injuries and lack of depth at specific positions can be used as a clear indicator as to which positions the Chicago Bears need to draft next May. Lets start with the offensive draft needs.

CENTER
Roberto Garza is the lone returning starter from the 2012 offensive line, and while he has been an effective at points in his career, his age is beginning to show clearer. Two rookies, Kyle Long and Jordan Mills, have held down the right side of the line efficiently, and now it’s time to complete the offensive line remodeling and grab a center through the draft, possibly even an undrafted free agent.

TIGHT END
Don’t be alarmed, I’m just as big a fan of the “Black Unicorn” as everybody else. But Trestman’s offense requires more than one tight end to catch passes. The Bears need a versatile tight end similar to Tyler Eifert; someone that can line up in tight or split out and become a matchup nightmare for the defensive backs. Martellus Bennett has been incredible for the Bears, but adding a tight end that can be somewhat of a Swiss-Army knife would make this offense special.

QUARTERBACK
Jay Cutler will return from a groin tear this week against the Lions, and his performance from this point on will go a long way in the Bears’ decision to extend him, franchise him, or let him walk. No matter what happens, the Bears need to pick up a developmental quarterback in the draft. Spending a mid-round pick on a developmental quarterback will give Trestman options moving forward, and they may not have to pay the market price for Cutler if Trestman can find his guy in the draft. Josh McCown’s performance in Lambeau on Monday night is a testament to the fact that Trestman can work with any QB that is willing to learn.

Now let’s take a look at the draft needs of the Chicago defense. This unit has been decimated by injuries and its lack of depth has been exposed.

Arizona State DT Will Sutton is one of a few solid options the Bears will have at DT in the 2014 Draft.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Season-ending injuries to Henry Melton and Nate Collins, along with a nagging turf toe injury to Stephen Paea have revealed the lack of depth on the interior of the defensive line. There are several strong prospects that fit the Bears 4-3 scheme in the college ranks that can be picked up via the draft. Players like Will Sutton (Arizona State), Dominique Easley (Florida), and Ra’Shede Hageman (Minnesota) would all be valuable pieces for this defensive line. The Bears should get Melton back for a bargain, as he was franchise-tagged this season and his market value will be significantly lower due to his injury. Collins will be back as well, but the Bears need depth at the DT position.

SAFETY
Major Wright and Chris Conte were serviceable starters at the safety positions when the Bears defensive line was healthy; the line created enough pressure to cover up their shortcomings. But with the depleted unit the Bears are putting out every Sunday, the safety play has been horrendous. Both have been caught out of position far too many times, and their lack of play-reading instincts has reared its ugly head this season. There will be several potential starters at the safety position available for Chicago through the draft.

CORNERBACK
Charles Tillman is getting old, and while Tim Jennings has been a solid CB, he is not the interception machine that he was in 2012. These two can be successful for maybe another season or two, but the Bears lack of depth at the corner position has been exposed, as well.  An injury to Kelvin Hayden in the preseason placed Isaiah Frey at the nickelback position. Frey has been successful, especially for a player who spent the 2012 season on the practice squad. In the NFL, you can never enough true coverage cornerbacks and the Bears will be in a better position defensively going into the 2014 season if they add another cover corner through the draft.

The Bears offense has made up for the defense’s shortcomings, but the Bears can strengthen that defensive unit and help Mel Tucker next season by adding some young impact players.

Early-Bird Special: #20 – Chicago Bears

Now that the 2012 NFL Regular Season is in the books, it’s time to get an early look at the 2013 NFL Draft prospectus for each of the 20 NFL teams who now know their draft position in the first round.  We begin with the Chicago Bears at #20 overall.

The Bears are one of many teams who will have an upheaval in the coaching ranks, which will obviously have a huge impact on how their off-season will look, especially in the 2013 NFL Draft.  The team went 10-6, but missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons, causing management to relieve head coach Lovie Smith of his duties.        

Looking ahead to the Draft, it’s clear what the Bears’ strengths and weaknesses are.  While the defense was stellar, there are a few players who may be caught by father time fairly soon, and the team might be interested in using some high picks to replace them.  The most glaring need in Chicago, however, is along the offensive line, which could end up working to their advantage considering the depth of this year’s class at the tackle and guard positions.

At #20 overall, the Bears could have several attractive options if they choose to go O-Line with the pick.  With Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews most likely off the board at that point, Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher could be at the top of their list, as a big, athletic protector with a nasty mean streak.  If they choose to go with a guard instead, North Carolina’s Jonathan Cooper and Alabama’s Chance Warmack are the cream of this year’s crop at the position and would both be solid picks, especially if Fisher is already off the board.

Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher

On the defensive side of the ball, it might behoove them to look for an eventual (and more quickly than many Bears fans might like) replacement for either Brian Urlacher or Lance Briggs.  It’s likely that Notre Dame standout Manti Te’o will be long gone before pick #20, leaving no middle linebacker prospects worth that pick.  If they chose to look at outside linebacker, however, Kansas State’s Arthur Brown is a rangy, athletic defender who could definitely warrant serious consideration.

Injuries and a lack of depth crippled the Bears at critical times this year, and this draft should be all about building a stronger two-deep.  The scheme differences between Lovie Smith and whoever ends up replacing him will also be a huge factor in determining the roles of certain veterans, which will obviously have a big impact on the team’s draft plans.