Good Draft?

[Smart]

Here are my picks from the mock draft. Let me know what you think. FWIW, I am very happy with the quality of players I was able to pull, though I wish I could have gotten a good free safety and a DT before Round 6. As you probably noticed, I traded the second round pick down and picked up an extra pick (Jeffcoat).

Round 1 (14): Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
Round 2 (63): Chris Borland, MLB, Wisconsin
Round 3 (82): Jimmie Ward, SS, Northern Illinois
Round 3 (95): Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
Round 4 (113): Josh Mauro, DE, Stanford
Round 5 (144): Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State
Round 6 (167): John Urschel, G, Penn State
Round 6 (175): George Uko, DT, USC

 

[leomaz]

Not thrilled about another short CB on our team

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

it depends on how free agency goes. If we sign some d linemen in free agency, then it could be a decent draft. If we don't, that draft would be a complete disaster.

I also sort of doubt the Bears draft a RB, but at round 5, it's sort of a lark anyway.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

Round 3 (95): Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas

also just FYI we don't have this pick.

 

[leomaz]

also just FYI we don't have this pick.

He traded down to get an extra pick

 

[63bears40]

If we're to take a DB @14 Pryror (spelling?) or Gilbert would be my choice.

 

[NCChiFan]

Round 1 (14): Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
Round 2 (63): Chris Borland, MLB, Wisconsin
Round 3 (82): Jimmie Ward, SS, Northern Illinois
Round 3 (95): Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
Round 4 (113): Josh Mauro, DE, Stanford
Round 5 (144): Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State
Round 6 (167): John Urschel, G, Penn State
Round 6 (175): George Uko, DT, USC

This would really depend upon who the Bears picked up in F/A period. If no one is picked up that can start in the D line, then no, this draft of yours is short on DT's as we don't have any. As a matter of fact, we need a high draft pick DE as well if we don't find one in F/A.

We have 3 young LB's, they will have to do. To soon to turn your back on Greene, Bostic and we don't know how Shea will play out at LB.

 

[Smart]

I also sort of doubt the Bears draft a RB, but at round 5, it's sort of a lark anyway.

I'm a little surprised by this. Even if the Bears do decide to keep Bush, I thought the general impression was that they aren't really sold on him as a good backup. Do you think they are that high on Michael Ford, or do you think I am wrong about Bush?

 

[anotheridiot]

I cant see them passing on Nix if he is there at 14. They could probably trade down and get an extra pick and still get a cornerback. Thing is Gilbert is probably the best return man in the draft as well, and thats a need. Hester did it both a few years, tough to play defense on third down and then run back a kick for a touchdown on fourth, but he is a multi purpose guy and probably gives emery a better chance at a win with the pick. But with Nix III, Hageman and Donald all available at 14, it was definitely the biggest hole last season to pass on a tackle. Definitely need one or two by the fourth round.

 

[Smart]

I cant see them passing on Nix if he is there at 14. They could probably trade down and get an extra pick and still get a cornerback. Thing is Gilbert is probably the best return man in the draft as well, and thats a need. Hester did it both a few years, tough to play defense on third down and then run back a kick for a touchdown on fourth, but he is a multi purpose guy and probably gives emery a better chance at a win with the pick. But with Nix III, Hageman and Donald all available at 14, it was definitely the biggest hole last season to pass on a tackle. Definitely need one or two by the fourth round.

I thought 14 was too high for Hageman and Donald. I tried to trade down to the mid-20s so I could take one of them, but people weren't going for it. I like Donald the most of the DTs, and think he is a much better talent than Nix. That being said, I think Dennard is much better as a CB prospect than Donald is at DT. He's got great ball skills, is pretty fast (4.5 at the combine), is strong as hell, reads the field well, and plays with intensity. CB might not be the biggest need on this team, but I think he's a game changer.

I agree that I should have taken a DT much sooner. There never really was a guy that I thought was worth taking at any of my picks.

 

[leomaz]

I thought 14 was too high for Hageman and Donald. I tried to trade down to the mid-20s so I could take one of them, but people weren't going for it. I like Donald the most of the DTs, and think he is a much better talent than Nix. That being said, I think Dennard is much better as a CB prospect than Donald is at DT. He's got great ball skills, is pretty fast (4.5 at the combine), is strong as hell, reads the field well, and plays with intensity. CB might not be the biggest need on this team, but I think he's a game changer.

I agree that I should have taken a DT much sooner. There never really was a guy that I thought was worth taking at any of my picks.

You did just fine..

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

I'm a little surprised by this. Even if the Bears do decide to keep Bush, I thought the general impression was that they aren't really sold on him as a good backup. Do you think they are that high on Michael Ford, or do you think I am wrong about Bush?

I don't think a draft pick will be used on a backup RB. If we need another RB for the roster, I suspect they will sign some scrub journey player out there, not use a draft pick on it. The defense needs the chance at a good player more than backup RB does.

I wouldn't bet the ranch on it, but I actually doubt Bush gets cut. He might, but as I said elsewhere, with the cap hit he draws anyway and needing to sign someone else it doesnt really buy the team anything. But maybe he does. If so, yes, I think they will mainly rely on Ford. I can't under any scenario see them drafting a RB. Who knows, maybe they will, I just doubt it.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

I cant see them passing on Nix if he is there at 14. They could probably trade down and get an extra pick and still get a cornerback. Thing is Gilbert is probably the best return man in the draft as well, and thats a need. Hester did it both a few years, tough to play defense on third down and then run back a kick for a touchdown on fourth, but he is a multi purpose guy and probably gives emery a better chance at a win with the pick. But with Nix III, Hageman and Donald all available at 14, it was definitely the biggest hole last season to pass on a tackle. Definitely need one or two by the fourth round.

Boy, this would be an interesting scenario, and it may well come up. But I only think they draft Nix if they decide they really do want to go to a 3-4. We will have a much better idea of their true intentions by late April once free agency has unfolded. If they are really going to a 3-4, I sort of agree with you, if Nix is there they will take him. Otherwise I'd bet they will want to trade down. Whether they do or not of course depends on what is being offered. Given the structure of this draft, a lot of teams aren't going to want to trade up, and won't pay enough to do so. But there might be 1 or 2 teams who do. San Francisco I am looking right at you!

 

[leomaz]

hasn't the decision already been made?

But I only think they draft Nix if they decide they really do want to go to a 3-4. We will have a much better idea of their true intentions by late April once free agency has unfolded. If they are really going to a 3-4

Hasn't the decision to run a base 4-3 been settled upon.?

 

[63bears40]

Boy, this would be an interesting scenario, and it may well come up. But I only think they draft Nix if they decide they really do want to go to a 3-4. We will have a much better idea of their true intentions by late April once free agency has unfolded. If they are really going to a 3-4, I sort of agree with you, if Nix is there they will take him. Otherwise I'd bet they will want to trade down. Whether they do or not of course depends on what is being offered. Given the structure of this draft, a lot of teams aren't going to want to trade up, and won't pay enough to do so. But there might be 1 or 2 teams who do. San Francisco I am looking right at you!

Nix & Ratliff would be a good DT pairing no matter what system you're running. The Bears need run stuffers.
Assuming Ratliff is resigned.
Everybody expects Jernigan as our pick @ 14. Because he fits a system.
Our system hasn't been figured out yet.

 

[leomaz]

Here is a good clue

Bears announce they'll remain a 4-3 defense - Chicago Tribune

Our system hasn't been figured out yet.

 

[anotheridiot]

Bears announce they'll remain a 4-3 defense - Chicago Tribune

I agree WTF. None of the quotes from the bears said they were gonna remain 4-3.

Look at the article, never did Trestman confirm 4-3. Utilize the players we have, which bottom line is 4 linebackers. Base might be 4-3, but they are gonna change looks in different situations.

 

[cubzzzfanincali]

Nix & Ratliff would be a good DT pairing no matter what system you're running. The Bears need run stuffers.
Assuming Ratliff is resigned.

I'm sure Nix could serve as a 4-3 NT, but it would somewhat be wasting his talents. I'd also suspect he'd be coming off on a lot of third downs, more than if he is the 3-4 nose.

I wouldn't assume Ratliff will be resigned. Maybe he will, maybe he won't, but there's no special reason evident outside of Halas Hall to know either way. I'm sure Emery has an opinion on it, but until he is resigned, don't bank on it.

Kind of like all the other unsigned guys.

 

[63bears40]

Bears announce they'll remain a 4-3 defense - Chicago Tribune

What they say and what they do, are usually 2 different things.
I guess since Phil said it's strong draft class for O players, they're drafting an O player @ 14.
Saying you're going to be a 1 gap D, at this time of year, is pretty senseless.
Especially when so many bodies are needed on the D side.

 

[leomaz]

not a chance the Bears draft an offensive player @14

I guess since Phil said it's strong draft class for O players, they're drafting an O player @ 14.
.

Yes its possible but I would bet your house that the Bears draft a defensive player with their first 2 picks