DA BEARS are trying to remake their roster on the fly under the leadership of GM RYAN PACE & HC JOHN FOX. Expect them to search for talent, high character & team needs in that order. But they cannot afford to be oblivious to the needs part of the equation since they fell to a 6-10 record last season. We’ll see how their loss (VFA) of RB/MATT FORTE plays out. They kept WR/ALSHON JEFFERY, despite speculation to the contrary, and expect last year’s 1st Round Pick KEVIN WHITE to be back from injury. With MARTELLUS BENNETT traded away, primarily for financial reasons, a new TE might be in their draft plans. The team has plenty of needs so drafting Best Available will be rationalized as a plausible explanation if they miss on any of their pressing needs. Having 9 total picks will come in handy.
Round 1, Pick 11 DARRON LEE/LB/OHIO STATE 6’1/232
Despite the need to identify exactly where LEE best fits (inside/outside) he is such an exceptional athlete that getting him into the lineup somewhere should not be of major concern. And he has excelled standing up as an actual LB in college. The team currently has too many converted DL masquerading as LB just because they can rush the passer. LEE should help provide them with more actual LB to man their recent conversion to a 3-4 scheme despite personnel fit deficiencies. Talented players, with overall LB skill sets like LEE would help shape this position group in 2016. PP#12
Round 2, Pick 41 KARL JOSEPH/S/WEST VIRGINIA 5’10/205
Despite protestations of not picking for need it would be quite hard look past one of the top two S prospects, who happens to be sitting out there right where you are picking. JOESPH played only about a month of the 2015 season, but has a thick resume’ of success starting 42 straight games until his injury. He led the nation with 5 INT thru 4 games before his ACL injury last year. This pick assumes that he has passed all the team’s medical exams, and I have accumulated no info to the contrary. He is likely to be a starter from game 1 of his pro career. PP#41
Round 3, Pick 72 NICK MARTIN/OG/C/NOTRE DAME 6’4/299
Younger brother of DALLAS ZACH MARTIN/OG, NICK is not as athletic as his brother but is a smart, savvy player, who will get a shot to win a job at either OG or OC. My guess is he will beat someone out by September and open the season as a starter in their OL. His versatility, will make him even more valuable as injuries cause the OL to be shuffled throughout the season. Most football fans in the city of Chicago have an affiliation with Golden Domer football players, so this pick is likely to create a positive PR ripple effect in the local media. It never hurts to have popular guys on the squad when rebuilding a roster! PP#72
Round 4, Pick 106 MALCOLM MITCHELL/WR/GEORGIA 6’0/198
This Pick might make JAY CUTLER feel a bit more wanted. MITCHELL’s talent exceeded his college productivity, but many think the lack of a first rate QB at UGA once AARON MURRAY graduated hindered MITCHELL more than an other receiver on their roster. His Combine numbers scream out of potential greatness. His 4.45/40 combined with a 36″vertical and 10’9″ broad jump indicate explosiveness to take the top off of NFL secondaries. His 10 1/2″ hands should also appeal to a cold weather team. He may not shine immediately, but expect him to push for the team’s 3rd wideout spot soon. PP#104
Round 4, Pick 127 TYLER HIGBEE/TE/WESTERN KENTUCKY 6’6/249
It is not a great year for TE prospects, but HIGBEE was climbing the rankings before a knee injury cost him the last month-plus of the 2015 season. He has shown good hands and run after catch ability for his size. He counted 66 career catches at WKU, with an incredible 13 of them going for TD. That stat clearly points to his Red Zone effectiveness. He isn’t going to make BEARS fans forget BENNETT, but he should improve the overall TE group currently on their roster. PP#126
Round 5, Pick 150 KEVIN HOGAN/QB/STANFORD 6’3/218
DA BEARS kind of flushed out their QB group this off-season dumping JIMMY CLAUSEN. I’m not sure DAVID FALES is a legit future starter so lucking into HOGAN being available here is a nice find for Chicago. HOGAN can lay claim to improving every season in college, as well as running a pro style offense under DAVID SHAW. He has nice size and an above average arm. He’s a smart guy who has clearly responded to coaching instruction over his career. Don’t expect HOGAN to come in and unseat either of the guys in front of him. But JOHN FOX likes to carry 3 QB and HOGAN can represent an overall upgrade to the group, with long range potential. PP#150
Round 6, Pick 185 MORGAN BURNS/CB/RS/KANSAS STATE 5’11/199
BURNS is a very good value in Round 6, because he certainly has a chance to provide depth in some secondary sub-packages and could have major impact on Special Teams. For some strange reason BURNS was not invited to the Combine so I cannot confirm an exact 40-time, but suffice it to say he mast be pretty fast to average 33.5 yards per kick-off return, including 4 for TD in 2015 alone. Don’t discount the fact that he was a team captain for K-State last year. Potentially, a steal this late in the Draft. PP#182
Round 6, Pick 206 TYLER JOHNSTONE/OT/OREGON 6’6/301
This is called rolling the dice for greatness if he has passed all his medical exams, after 2 torn ACL injuries during his college career. When healthy he’s a legit LT prospect in today’s NFL. When I saw him in action, seemingly healthy, he looked like a natural with length (34″ long arms) and good footwork. Prior to his second ACL injury i felt he was a Top 100 prospect. PP#205
Round 7. Pick 230 CASSANOVA McKINZY/LB/AUBURN 6’1/248
This is a fascinating Pick for Round 7. He was a multi-use guy in the Auburns D this past season. He’s a big thumper, but also shows some quickness as a potential pass-rusher. He’d likely play Inside in DA BEARS scheme, and if he can show enough thump and enthusiasm he might buy himself time on the roster with Special Teams work until the coaching staff determines his value from scrimmage. PP#233
The diversity and talent of this Draft group could provide the team with more core building blocks for their roster. I have little doubt that some of them would surprise as instant contributors. My only regret would be not finding value (at least in my rankings) in a full-sized DE candidate at any of their Picks.
PIGSKIN
