As they are commonly known to opposing fans in the NFC North, DA BEARS find themselves in an unusual, (for them), circumstance heading towards the 2019 Draft. They only possess 5 Picks in the Draft, and their first choice will not come until Pick 87, which is late in Round 3. Under GM Ryan Pace, the team has done quite well in the Draft in recent years. Pace looks to also have hit the jackpot in the hiring of Mike Nagy as his new Head Coach last year. When it was apparent early on that the locker room was buying in big time to the aggressive, energetic Nagy, Pace did not hesitate to make moves to go “all-in” for the 2018 season. It paid off, with the team winning the NFC North crown. However, making bold personnel moves, in particular the acquisition of KHALIL MACK, is the reason for so many draft picks to be missing for the team this year. Da Bears have been quite active in VFA signings recently, and I believe that Pace will bite the bullet and draft with the hand he dealt himself last year. I truly do NOT think he will mortgage his next Draft to recoup Picks for this April. But, if I were a team that decided to jettison one of my higher priced stars, Da Bears would be one of the teams I would call to talk trade with.
But for now, here is what I see from Chicago with their current 5 Draft Picks:
Round 3, Pick 87
DAYLON MACK DT TEXAS A&M 6’1/327 PP#89
Chicago is in transition on Defense, having lost their DC VIC FANGIO to Denver, as their new head Coach. They have solid young talent all over the defensive side of the ball, but lack bulk and depth along the DL. MACK had a breakout season at A&M under the coaching staff of their new head man JIMBO FISHER. He is incredibly thick thru his mid-section and butt, but he also displays dancing feet and good movement. He is not dissimilar to Eddie Goldman, and will make a solid back-up and/or a monster partner when the team uses a 4-man DL. I got to see MACK at both the Shrine and Senior Bowl venues, and he excelled at both events. He wasn’t on my radar early in January, but now he’s in my Top 100 Draft prospects.
Round 4, Pick 126
DAWSON KNOX TE OLE MISS 6’4/254 PP#122
KNOX came out early after a solid season for Ole Miss. KNOX is a better than average blocker, and a nice receiving target. He only had 15 catches last season, but remember that guys named METCALF, BROWN & LODGE, who played WR, got most of the targets. He plays hard and tough, and is a good value at this Pick. Almost 10″ hands and 33 1/2″ arms give him a good target radius for Trubisky. He has enough athleticism to play as a flex-TE as needed. He also may fit in nicely on Special Teams units. he adds young depth to their TE group, which is a bit then especially when you realize one vet on their TE depth chart, who had tat horrific knee injury back in 2017.
Round 5, Pick 162
DAVID LONG CB MICHIGAN 5’11/196 PP#163
You can never have enough quality DB’s in today’s NFL. He’s a solid athlete who ran a decent 4.45/40 at the Combine. Combine him with VFA SKRINE from the JETS, and it gives Da Bears a solid couple of guys who can fill out Nickel and Dime packages. LONG is also physical enough to earn playing time on Special Teams very soon. LONG may still be rising up prospect ranking boards, but he’s available to them here, for now, in my Mock.
Round 7, Pick 222
DRE GREENLAW LB ARKANSAS 6’0/235 PP#227
Da Bears have very good talent, and solid depth in their LB group, but DRE is just too good to pass up in Round 7. He was a late addition at the Senior Bowl and was all over the field making tackles there. He can flat-out run, and covers the field. His coverage skills are limited right now, but he certainly has the speed and quickness to cover downfield. He should be a Special Teams star on coverage units as a Rookie.
Round 7, Pick 238
BRIAN WALLACE OT ARKANSAS 6’6/317 PP#239
I’m staying in Arkansas with this Pick projection. WALLACE was at the Shrine venue, and I will tell you after watching pass-pro drills up close and personal, he is massive. He is very strong, and has OT hands and arms, at 10 1/2″ and 36″ respectively. Once he gets his hands on a defender, he can lock them up, and he is stout and balanced in his back-pedal and stance in pass-pro. Patience is needed here, and a coach who can really coach him up. He’s not out of shape, but I am thinking an NFL training staff can tighten him up a bit, and make him even stronger. I like his potential at a position where Chicago is solid, but not exceptional.
Without anything until 87 players into the draft process, I don’t expect any immediate big time help here, but depth always becomes important, especially in December around the NFL. All five of these guys might make their roster and be able to contribute down the stretch, when injuries deplete the ranks from week to week.
Pigskin
