This Chicago Bears 2019 mock draft explores whether GM Ryan Pace might be willing to double down on what has been his greatest strength thus far. Here's what we know. The Bears have a largely solidified roster with talent at most starting position. There are a few areas that still have question marks including running back, outside linebacker, and kicker.
The odds don't favor them landing any sort of superstar. However, that doesn't mean they can't land a difference-maker. Someone who can give them quality snaps when needed. Maybe even become a starter in the long-term.
Let's see how the strategy pans out. One intended to take quantity over quality in a class that is deep at several positions.
TRADE: Cardinals give picks 103 (4th), 174 (6th), 179 (6th), and 248 (7th) for 87th pick
4th Round (#103): Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M
The first thing people always look to with Trayveon Williams is his size. He's only 5'9, which is short for an NFL running back. Inevitably this leads to questions about whether he can withstand the pounding he'd take at the pro level. There aren't many feature backs who are that size.
Good thing Williams wouldn't be a feature back then. Not in this offense. He would be one part of a greater whole. Williams is a tough, instinctive back who finds even the small creases and has the acceleration to slip through them for chunk gains. He's stronger than he looks and offers versatility as a receiver out of the backfield.
4th Round (#126): Charles Omenihu, DE, Texas
Feeding the defensive line is never a bad thing. Especially when it's the strength of the defense. Roy Robertson-Harris and Jonathan Bullard will be free agents in 2020. So this is something the team has to think about, presuming neither of them is re-signed. Somebody like Charles Omenihu certainly excites the what-if crowd.
He is what most experts would call a project with high upside. Omenihu was inconsistent at Texas, mixing good moments with bad. He's raw. However, he is also a physical specimen with a 6'5 frame, 36-inch arms, and serious explosion in his lower body. If the Bears can get him to play under control, he could be something much bigger.
5th Round (#162): Corey Ballentine, CB, Washburn
Teams are always wary of small school prospects, so it will be difficult for Ballentine to be drafted high. Then again, anybody who watched him at the Senior Bowl saw this kid was not intimidated by the "greater competition" he faced there. He showcased a tenacity that good NFL corners need.
He's got good size, plays physical, and has the necessary quickness and long speed to hang with receivers down the field. He still has some kinks to work out with his technique, but this guy should be a starter in the NFL before too long.
TRADE: Bears give picks 174 (6th) and 222 (7th) to Saints for pick 168 (5th)
5th Round (#168): Foster Moreau, TE, LSU
Foster Moreau was never productive as a pass catcher at LSU, though that wasn't entirely his fault due to the nature of the offense. He proved at the scouting combine that he's a better athlete than he gets credit for and might have untapped potential as a receiver.
Even if that doesn't work out though, the Bears will know they probably got the best overall blocking tight end in the draft. Moreau is a strong technician in that regard, offering quality pass protection and often able to spring his running backs loose with sharp blocks at on the edge or at the second level.
6th Round (#179): Wyatt Ray, EDGE, Boston College
Taking pass rushers late in a draft rarely pan out. Then again that can be said of most position groups. The fact is the Bears weren't in the best spot to address this area earlier, so they do the best they can by adding another piece to help out their depth at outside linebacker.
Don't sell Wyatt Ray short though. He's average in terms of his size and isn't a premier athlete, but he has enough strength and quickness to give tackles a headache. His lone year as a starter at Boston College proved that when he delivered nine sacks.
7th Round (#238): Saquan Hampton, S, Rutgers
The Bears have traditionally liked to draft players with high character marks under Pace. Hampton fits that bill in a big way. He was heralded at Rutgers for being a team captain and leader both on and off the field. Somebody who got teammates lined up and fired up.
He's also a decent athlete. He has some speed, a sizable 6'1 frame and displays good instincts playing around the line of scrimmage. His coverage isn't always the best but he can be an effective player if utilized the right way. Chuck Pagano will know what to do.
7th Round (#248): Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
He's not powerful or overly athletic and that's going to have teams down on him. Still, Mitch Hyatt anchored the left tackle position for two Clemson national championship teams. This at least says he doesn't shrink when the lights are the brightest.
He's a determined blocker with good technique who understands what his job is from snap to snap. He may have a future as a starter at guard and perhaps can serve as a backup swing tackle when needed. Players like this have value in the NFL.
