Mock Draft Special: Chicago Bears

With NFL free agency slowing down, and the big splashes from the Chicago Bears in the rear-view mirror, I figured this was an opportune time to dive back into some NFL Draft related content and tackle a full seven round draft for the Bears. I use the fun draft sim from The Draft Network, and as always when mock drafting I have some rules.

I try to stay as close to the top of the big board as much as possible, so no reaching down at a position of need. For this exercise I executed no trades, although I truly believe that general manager Rayn Pace will move back from one of his two second-round selections. Also as a general rule, I tend to stay away from running backs until later rounds, and for this particular mock I had a strict no double-dipping policy because I wanted to ensure I’d address as many needs as possible.

Here’s how I mocked it…

2nd Round, 43rd overall: Austin Jackson, OT, USC

Right now the Bears don’t have a swing tackle on the roster, so at the very least Jackson would fill that role as a rookie, but he could push Bobby Massie for the starting job at right tackle. But long term, he’s a left tackle prospect with good size (6'5", 322) and athleticism that just needs to hone his technique.

2nd Round, 50th overall: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama

Lewis has had some injury issues in college, but when healthy he was a productive player for the Crimson Tide. He has prototypical size for 6'5", 262 lbs

5th Round, 163rd overall: Kyle Murphy, IOL, Rhode Island

The Bears lack offensive line depth on the interior too, so Murphy’s experience playing both guard and center makes him a fine prospect. Coming from a smaller school he’ll probably need to be coached up, but the 6'3", 316 pounder has a high ceiling.

6th Round, 196th overall: Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida

With such a deep class of receivers, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Bears grab one earlier, but waiting til the sixth round for a developmental speed guy that has gunner experience is okay too. Cleveland’s special teams skills could get him on the field as a rookie.

6th Round, 200th overall: Tyler Clark, IDL, Georgia

With Nick Williams moving on, the Bears could use another big body up front, and with Pace’s proclivity to tab players from Goergia, Clark made sense. At 6’4’, 300 pounds he can play anywhere along Chicago’s d-line.

7th Round, 226th overall: Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt

At 6'4" and 257 pounds, Pinkney has the size to eventually settle into the Y (in-line) spot on an NFL roster. Like most tight ends in college his blocking technique needs to be tightened up, but he shows a willingness to be physical, and he has shown the ability to catch the ball. As a junior, before his QB graduated, he caught 50 balls for 774 yards and 7 touchdowns.

7th Round, 233rd overall: David Dowell, S, Michigan State

I actually had a choice of a few safeties at this point in the draft, but I figured I’d keep it closest to the board and go with the 6’, 206 pounder that was a three year starter for the Spartans. He averaged better than 50 tackles a season as a starter and had 8 career interceptions. His twin brother Andrew is signed to the Saints roster as a linebacker.