With the NFL Combine coming up next Wednesday, I thought it would be right to start my four-part mock draft series a week prior. Here’s a look at the 8 draft picks that—right now—I have mocked for the Chicago Bears . . .
1st round: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
There’s been a lot of talk amongst Bears fans about the need for a #1 WR, but the most pressing need that has flown a bit under the radar is a pass rushing DE opposite Julius Peppers who can relieve him from double and, sometimes, triple teams.
If the Bears want to win a championship they have to steal a page from this year’s Super Bowl champs by putting as many pass rushers on the field to disrupt the timing between the opposing QB and his receivers.
Ingram, like Peppers and Giants’ DE Justin Tuck, can generate pressure from anywhere on the line. He’s an explosive athlete, and he’s demanded extra attention often from opposing SEC offensive lines. Ingram would give the Bears another DE who can contribute right away while also potentially setting themselves up for life without Julius Peppers two to three years from now.
2nd round: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
With Kellen Davis’ status up in the air (he’s a free agent), and Mike Martz—the ultimate player hater when it comes to TEs—out the door, a pass-catching TE might be a need heading into free agency next month.
If the Bears do bring back Davis, is he really their answer as the featured tight end? That’s why the Bears should look long and hard at South Carolina’s Orson Charles in the second round. Charles is not the route-runner fellow prospect Coby Fleener is, but he’s no slouch in that department.
Charles is a fast, athletic TE who can stretch the deep middle of the field; putting a lot of pressure on the MLBs and Safeties. He also has great hands and can catch in heavy traffic. Charles would be a good draft pick who can very possibly come in and contribute right away.
3rd round: Casey Heyward, CB, Vanderbilt
I commend Tim Jennings for the coverage ability and toughness he displayed last season, but not being able to come away with turnovers is the reason why his status is up in the air as a free agent. The Bears need a playmaking defensive back that can complement the dirty work Charles Tillman does week in and week out.
Casey Heyward brings that to the table with the potential to be a shutdown corner. Heyward is an all-around great corner. He displays great coverage skills, breaks on the ball well, and has a knack for coming away with interceptions.
Heyward was also the leader of the Vanderbilt secondary. He has the ability to come in and contribute right away, while potentially becoming the teams #1 DB down the road.
3rd round: Marvin Jones, WR, California
The Bears are likely going to go after a top Free Agency WR like a Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston, or Stevie Johnson, but they will need to find a complement in this draft. The Bears are currently short on depth at WR with Johnny Knox’s status up in the air. In addition to that, Roy Williams will likely not be brought back, and Devin Hester bombed once again as a starting flanker receiver.
Earl Bennett is a decent receiver, but he’s more effective in the slot as opposed to full-time flanker. If the Bears signed Vincent Jackson to become the team’s star Split End, Jones would be an ideal fit as the Flanker. He has experience playing the compliment role as he was the #2 WR at Cal next to star receiver Keenan Allen.
Jones started at the Senior Bowl, displaying great hands and route running awareness. To most observers, he graded out the best WR there, and his stock is soaring. At the flanker position, Jones would be able to have more room to get off press-coverage and use his ability to go up and get the ball to make plays downfield against smaller, less athletic DBs.
4th round: Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas
The Bears need LB talent in the pipeline who can step in years from now for Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. Both Urlacher and Briggs have proven they still can play at a Pro Bowl caliber level, so talking about replacements for them is a little silly—for the most part.
Robinson is a talented outside linebacker from the Texas Longhorns. When there’s an open lane, Robinson uses his speed and quickness to get to the ball carrier quickly. Robinson’s also very quick at diagnosing plays, which is an important trait in a Cover-2 OLB. Has the strength to get off blocks from o-linemen and, in coverage, can stay with TEs and make plays on under-routes. Robinson is a pure 4-3 weak-side LB in a Tampa-2 scheme.
5th round: Jacquies Smith, DE, Missouri
Because you can never have enough pass rush! If Smith is here for the Bears with their 5th-round pick, they should use it even if they do select Ingram in the 1st-round. I like Israel Idonije and Corey Wootton, but Idonije is a free agent (an older one at that) and Wootton can’t seem to stay healthy and get on track.
Smith plays the run well, but he is known as a pure pass rusher with a quick first step. Yes, his production was low at Missouri, but the traits are there for Smith to become a solid pass rusher at the next level.
6th round: Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas
The 6th and 7th-rounds are usually when you take chances on guys to see if you can find a diamond in the rough. Greg Childs is a decent WR, but his college has been plagued with injuries which means he most likely will be a late-round choice.
When healthy, Childs is a good target for QBs. He displays great hands, precision route running (especially in the intermediate passing game) and knows how to come back to the football. Childs is a guy you would want to sit and develop under a veteran until he can eventually challenge for a starting spot.
7th round: Jerrell Young, FS, South Florida
Brandon Meriweather most likely won’t be brought back in 2012, leaving Chris Conte as the only FS on the roster. The Bears will need depth behind Conte, although I assume Craig Steltz will be brought back to back-up both safety spots. Grabbing an actual FS to develop behind Steltz would be a good idea in my book.
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Filed under: Draft, Mock Draft
Tags: Chicago Bears
I'm kinda with you on Ingram, Dom. Above all other needs—and even if wide receiver is a bigger one in their eyes—defensive end the probably the one you can most expect to get an immediate impact from out of the draft. Drafting wide receivers early is a crapshoot and the offensive line needs more veteran help. And that could make a defensive end the "best player available on the board." Suppose we'll see in two months. Great article, BTW!