GMs Around NFL Think Bears Target This Position At #3 Pick

It seems the league is growing confident that the about the Chicago Bears 2017 draft plan. Or at least what they aim to do regarding the #3 overall pick. Opinions among top experts continue to vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. Some say they are absolutely eyeing a quarterback to put behind Mike Glennon. Others think the nature of the class makes it clear they go defense. If nothing else it's proof GM Ryan Pace has done his job. Work through free agency has made it seem like the Bears could go any which way they want. That includes a possible trade down in hopes of acquiring an extra high pick or two. However, if they were to stay put at #3, rumblings around the league have reached similar conclusions. According to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, cornerback Marshon Lattimore of Ohio State is the hot name connected to Chicago among GMs from other teams. Even if that's not the case, it's clear that they are targeting one of the top defensive backs available.

"Scouting sources with the Tennessee Titans have confirmed the team's interest in Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Clemson wide receiver Williams. If Lattimore is on the board at No. 5 overall, I expect he'll be the team's pick. If Lattimore is gone, to Chicago for example, look for Williams to get heavy consideration.

As mentioned above, Lattimore to Chicago is a hot rumor among NFL general managers. One executive I spoke with felt "99 percent sure" the Bears would draft a defensive back if they keep the No. 3 overall pick."

Making sense of this Bears 2017 draft plan

Pace has said repeatedly that he will maintain his methodology of "best player available." That is to say getting the best possible talent he can at every single pick. He doesn't want the Bears draft process driven by needs. That would explain why Chicago brought in so many outside free agents including two quarterbacks, three wide receivers, a tight end, a nose tackle, three cornerbacks and a safety.

This way no position can be considered dangerously pressing. Thus they're allowed to go after a player they really like. In this context a defensive back would make a ton of sense. Based on the majority of draft boards among experts there are three secondary players ranked in the top 10 overall alone. Those being Lattimore and safeties Malik Hooker and Jamal Adams.

One would argue that cornerbacks are a more valuable position than safeties, so Lattimore might be rated a little above the other two. He's certainly something to watch from a talent perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsqi58tJasU

Follow the logic

Clearly an exceptional athlete who lacks nothing for the NFL level including size and speed. The bothersome part about this is three-fold. Lattimore has a history of chronic hamstring problems that ruined his freshman year. He's only started 13 games and was badly exposed at times by receivers who could run good routes. Last but not least, defensive backs rarely go in the top three. The last one to do so was 1997. Why so long a drought? Mostly due to the perception that DBs just don't impact games like a great quarterback, offensive tackle or pass rusher can. A fair point. Then again it's also worth noting that six of the nine defensive backs ever taken that high went to at least one Pro Bowl in their careers. The most recent of them was Shawn Springs. He came out of...wait for it...Ohio State. It's hard to argue why the Bears would have interest in doing this. They've already built a rock solid front seven headlined by Leonard Floyd, Akiem Hicks, Pernell McPhee and Willie Young. They could be a shutdown corner away from being a top five unit. Everything seems to hinge on whether or not they stay put at #3 overall. Less than two weeks remain before that question is answered.