Thread: Intriguing options for Bears with draft

Chicago Breaking Sports
Intriguing options await Bears when draft resumes

By Brad Biggs

Tribune reporter

11:50 AM CDT, April 29, 2011Advertisement



The Chicago Bears will be taking a long look at their draft board Friday as they assess how the action could unfold in Rounds 2 and 3 of the draft.

Everyone tries to operate with an eye toward getting the best available player remaining on their board, but the Bears figure to be focusing on two positions. They have a real need for a defensive tackle and that is one of the strengths of the draft. They also could look for a wide receiver. Three were selected in the first round Thursday night and there should be some value available in the next two rounds.

There are some intriguing names remaining at defensive tackle even after five came off the board in Round 1. The Bears were likely going to select Oregon State’s Stephen Paea at No. 29 had Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi not been available. But it would be surprising if Paea remained available until the Bears select at No. 62, the 30th pick of the round. They have the 93rd overall pick in the third round.

North Carolina’s Marvin Austin is a player the Bears did considerable pre-draft work on, as is South Florida’s Terrell McClain and Iowa's Christian Ballard. All project as under tackles and would be candidates to help replace the departed Tommie Harris.

A.J. Green and Julio Jones were considered the two elite receivers in the draft, but there is decent depth in the middle rounds and Angelo said last week the Bears worked hard looking at the position. Whether they select a receiver Friday night or wait for Rounds 4 to 7 on Saturday remains to be seen.

Kentucky’s Randall Cobb, Maryland’s Torrey Smith, Miami’s Leonard Hankerson, North Carolina’s Greg Little and Boise State’s Titus Young and Austin Pettis will be in the next group of receivers to be selected. Hankerson, Little and Pettis have good size if the Bears are motivated to find that kind of player. Abilene Christian’s Edmond Gates, Nebraska’s Niles Paul and Indiana’s Tandon Doss are also options.