Sports Mockery hasn't done a mock draft for the
Chicago Bears yet this offseason. Part of that was waiting until the picture cleared somewhat. Would
Jay Cutler be cut or traded? Would
Alshon Jeffery stay or leave? What would they do in free agency? Most of those questions have been answered and therefor it's becoming easier to see the direction they will likely go.
Thus here it is. The first official SM mock draft featuring a full exploration from the first round to the seventh. Trades are of course included. Nothing too extravagant. Maintaining a degree of sanity is always welcome in such instances. So without further preamble, here is how things get started.
As usual, with the unexpected.
TRADE: #3 pick to the New York Jets for #6 pick and DE Sheldon Richardson
Why the Jets would do it – New York needs a quarterback in the worst way. Bryce Petty isn’t the answer and Christian Hackenberg has shown zero signs of being a future franchise player. The tricky part is how to entice them to move up. They can’t afford to give up picks. That’s where Richardson comes in. He’s entering the final year of his deal and holds enough trade value to make it work.
Why the Bears would do it – For starters they have a sizable hole on their defensive line at the end position opposite
Akiem Hicks. Richardson would instantly fill that. They have the money to give him a long-term extension too. Thus the Bears have a front of Hicks, Richardson and
Eddie Goldman. Potentially lethal. It also puts them in a more justifiable position for what comes next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gweo4MeVwXk
1st Round via NYJ (pick #6) – Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Having secured another quality piece for the defense, Ryan Pace is finally free to go after his quarterback of the future.
Mike Glennon may be the starter for 2017 but the odds of it staying that way are minimal. Besides, everything about Deshaun Watson says he's exactly the kind of quarterback Pace loves. He's a winner (28-2 with a national title in two years). He's smart, cool under pressure, athletic and revered by teammates for his leadership and toughness. That checks every box Pace said he looks for. One can nitpick the good-not-great arm and streaky accuracy, but he has succeeded everywhere he's been.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpFHmYEzWUc&t=267s
2nd Round (pick #36) – Budda Baker, S, Washington
Quintin Demps was a decent signing, but hardly the shift in direction the Bears have needed at safety for years. He's 32-years old and no guarantee to be the same player he was in Houston. Chicago has to take advantage of this strong safety class while they can. Budda Baker is exactly the sort of player they don't have on the back end. He's tough, quick, athletic and highly instinctive. He finds his way to the football, plays with great energy and effort and is a tackling machine. He'd be the best safety the second he entered the building.
3rd Round (pick #65) – Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston
The Bears need to be honest with themselves. Though the pass rush played really well at times last season, it's still loaded with question marks.
Willie Young is getting older.
Pernell McPhee and
Lamarr Houston have concerns regarding bad knees. Even
Leonard Floyd suffered injury issues as a rookie. They have every reason to continue seeking out more young bodies on the edge. Getting Tyus Bowser here is a boon. The Houston linebacker is a perfect fit for a 3-4 system. Big and long enough to rush the passer, quick and athletic enough to drop in coverage. Explosive off the snap and relentless in pursuit.
4th Round (pick #111) – Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State
From a pure talent perspective, Florid State tackle Roderick Johnson would be near the top of every draft board. He's huge, longer and moves well for his size. So what's the problem. He's not developed enough. His footwork and hand use are erratic and sloppy. The consistency isn't there. Yet the potential the young man holds is gigantic. It's important to remember Johnson is only 21-years old. He's still just a kid. The Bears need depth and talent upgrades on the edges. If they can be patient with Johnson, he could become a steal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VANKknIofK8
4th Round via BUF (pick #117) – George Kittle, TE, Iowa
Signing
Dion Sims was a surprise. The belief is he'll bring instant blocking help at tight end and has upside as a pass catcher. Nevertheless, this doesn't solve the teams' depth concerns.
Daniel Brown and
Ben Braunecker didn't do much last year and
Zach Miller is old and injury-prone. George Kittle is exactly the sort of addition they could hope for. He's already a proven blocker from a pro system and has the athletic upside to become a regular target in the passing game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzrRP0XahEQ
5th Round (pick #147) – Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee
Don't forget that the Bears signed three receivers in free agency this offseason. Rueben Randle was an early addition. Then came
Markus Wheaton and
Kendall Wright. Combined with
Kevin White and
Cameron Meredith, that's young and diverse group. Even so there is no such thing as too much competition. Josh Malone is a name that is escaping many people, but it won't the Bears. Their new receiver coach Zach Azzanni coached the young man at Tennessee. Not only does he bring size at 6'3" but showcased speed at the scouting combine as well (4.4/40). He caught 50 passes for 972 yards his final year. The kid can play.
7th Round (pick #221) – Marqueze White, CB, Florida State
This might be later than many people had hoped for in regards to the cornerback position but the reality is sacrifices must be made. Thankfully the talent is rich enough to where Chicago could still get a quality addition even this late in the draft. Marqueze White will fall due to his average production and lack of physicality as a tackler. Yet it's undeniable the young man understands how to play NFL-caliber coverage. He does his best work in press, showing the quickness and makeup speed to survive on an island by himself. He'll have to improve his fundamentals, but the traits of a future starter are there.
