Chicago Bears Mock Draft - Forecasting Multiple Scenarios

The 2017 NFL Draft is approaching. And right now, the Internet is littered with mock drafts from every sports news outlet known to mankind. Nobody actually has any idea about what teams are really going to do come draft night, but it is pretty fun to read about what different people think will happen and why. No matter how ludicrous the theory. The Chicago Bears pick third overall, and they’re probably close to finalizing their draft board, if they haven’t already done so. Rumors are flying that GM Ryan Pace loves all of the quarterbacks, all of the defensive backs, all of the defensive linemen, and basically any other football player with a pulse that’s entered the draft. Because Pace’s intentions are a secret, I took the liberty of mocking a few first round scenarios and taking a stab at guessing whom the Bears might pick in each one. This did not include a potential trade down. Pick a scenario you like and feel free to add your take on it in the comments section of whichever social media platform you’re reading this on!

Scenario: Quarterback, Because Duh

The Pick: Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson is Pace’s kind of quarterback. He’s a winner; he’s a leader; and he elevated Clemson’s football program to new heights – runner up in 2016 and champion in 2017, appearing in back-to-back national title games. Watson isn’t perfect – his ball placement and occasional accuracy issues leave improvement to be desired. And quite frankly, Mitchell Trubisky might be the best fit for the Bears as far as adapting to Dowell Loggains’s offense. But Watson has plenty of arm strength, smarts, and better yet, there’s no one better on the biggest of stages. Not a bad set of qualities to have in a future quarterback.

Scenario: Safety First

The Pick: Jamal Adams I actually think that Malik Hooker is the best safety in this draft. He’s been compared to Ed Reed, and that’s ridiculously exciting. The Bears have never had that kind of ball skill in their secondary. To imagine him lurking in center field as the Bears’ pass rush continues to mature is bliss. But I’ll take Adams here, mainly because he doesn’t have any known health problems, whereas Hooker will be coming off surgery. Pace can’t afford to deal with more injury headaches with his first round picks. Also, Adams is a hell of a safety – a tremendous leader on the field, a hard hitter, and can run with tight ends. He’d instantly be the best safety on the Bears’ roster. He’s got All-Pro potential, and that’s what you’re looking and hoping for in a top-3 pick.

Scenario: Defensive Front and Center

The Pick: Solomon Thomas Quite frankly, I’m not sure if Thomas makes it past San Francisco. In fact, I highly doubt it. But Thomas would be a gem for the Bears’ defensive line. Many people are calling him a “tweener” and are hesitant about taking him high. That’s misinformed. Considering teams rarely actually play in their base packages, it doesn’t matter what position Thomas is “assigned”. He can line up anywhere and continue to dominate. He’s got great pass-rushing skills and run-stopping ability, is violent, and has a non-stop motor. He would instantly start across Akiem Hicks and wreak havoc. Good luck stopping him, Hicks, Leonard Floyd, and a healthy Pernell McPhee.

Scenario: (Tight) End Game

The Pick: O.J. Howard Howard is quite possibly one of the five best players in this draft. He’s as complete a tight end as they come, and would supply Mike Glennon with a bona fide weapon, especially with Alshon Jeffery no longer on the team. The Bears did sign Dion Sims, but Howard is heads and shoulders above any tight end on the team – and could easily be the best tight end in the division by midseason (sorry, Martellus Bennett). Sure, maybe third overall is high for a tight end, but there isn’t a better one in this draft. And with the way offenses are designed nowadays, there’s more value than people think. Pace needs a star at number 3, and Howard has every bit of that potential.

Scenario: Surprise, Surprise!

The Pick: Garett Bolles The more I watch Bolles’ tape, the more convinced I am that he’s a star in the making. Athletically, he’s an absolute stud. He can make every block in the book, he’s quick, and has incredible agility for a man of his size. He can stand to add some weight, but he has elite blocker written all over him. And given the fact that the Bears tackle situation can be considered average at best, who knows how that might play into potential evaluations and need rankings. The downside is that Bolles will be 25 once the season starts, so he’s considered “old” for a prospect. But then again, so was Kyle Long. And that didn’t turn out so badly, did it?

Scenario: Dreaming For Days

The Pick: Myles Garrett Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. Anticipation for the NFL Draft … it’ll drive people crazy.