Bears Hit It Big Last Time They Took Chicago Native #3 Overall

The Chicago Bears are making every effort possible to drop a fog over their plans for the #3 pick in the upcoming draft. It was cornerback and safety. Then they signed Quintin Demps, Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper. Next it was wide receiver following the exit of Alshon Jeffery. Not long later they brought in Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton. Even the quarterback problem was seemingly addressed with the arrival of Mike Glennon. GM Ryan Pace has said his entire goal for free agency was to fill roster needs so he could go best player available in the draft. This is how he's operated for two years, and results are improving. The problem is it's much more difficult this season to figure out who the best player with be when the Bears pick at the #3 spot. Though the draft is considered exceptionally deeper than normal at several positions, the top tier talent is somewhat lacking. Mostly due to injuries or lack of experience. There is one player though that has begun to stick out. Best of all is he may have something special about him that makes the potential selection even more exciting.

WRECKER

Solomon Thomas has become the apple of many Bears' fans eyes of late. The Stanford defensive lineman likely caught their attention like most others. When they were watching quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the Sun Bowl and bore witness to Thomas' single-handed devastation of the North Carolina offense instead. It was a game-wrecking performance that launched him onto the national stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_kfbI-2oHk There is no denying he has an impact on almost every snap. Little by little he's seeped into the consciousness of everybody The feeling is growing that he could be a potentially lethal addition to their defensive front seven alongside Akiem Hicks, Leonard Floyd and Pernell McPhee. Other experts are climbing on board with the idea as well.

BORN AND BRED

Perhaps the icing on the cake for why Bears fans want him so much? He's from Chicago. Though he attended high school in Texas and college in California, Thomas was born in the shadow of the Second City. It's in his blood and the way he plays is an exact reflection of what people from there love:  intensity, relentlessness and instilling fear. Towards the end of that bowl game, blockers wanted no part of Thomas. Amazing as it might sound, this wouldn't be the first time the Bears would've selected a Chicago-native with the #3 overall pick. That came way back in 1965 when they ushered in the era of the greatest and most fearsome linebacker in NFL history. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Dick-Butkus.mp4"][/video] Dick Butkus arrived from the University of Illinois. A son of Lithuanian immigrants, he grew up on the south side of Chicago, attending high school there as well. No player ever arrived with a bigger bang (literally) than Butkus. He was a terror from the moment he stepped on the field. He was also the model for defensive excellence. Despite chronic knee problems later in his career he finished with eight Pro Bowls, 23 interceptions and a record 27 fumble recoveries. Not a bad run for a guy who only played nine seasons. If one man could dominate in front of his hometown like that, is it possible for lightning to strike twice? No doubt more than a few people are anxious to find that out, practically begging the Bears to pull the trigger on Thomas when they go on the clock.