Kinda Post-Free Agency

While I still hold out hope for Hawthorne and Hayden here's a mock without those two signing for Chicago. This is under the assumption we re-sign Okoye, which we really should do if nothing else.

NFL Draft:
First Round [19th] Whitney Mercilus: Chicago still lacks a pass rusher opposite Pepeprs and Mercilus is a homegrown talent perfect for the job. He led the nation in sacks last year and is very adept at forcing fumbles, something that the Bears defense thrives on. He’ll enter rotation and give immediate impact on passing downs as he screams towards the quarterback. Coming to Chicago he’ll benefit from all the attention on Peppers as well as Marinelli coaching him up.

Second Round [50th] Zach Brown: The talented 43 backer drops due to the huge run on 34 tweeners and Chicago lands insurance for Briggs. Brown is the perfect fit for the Bears defense and comes to Chicago with absolutely insane speed, the kid can fly. He’s got loads of talent and with Urlacher and Briggs showing him the ropes he could be an elite player in the NFL.

Third Round [80th] Joe Looney: The OG from Wake Forest would provide Chicago with a developmental guard who could eventually start for the Bears. A tough and vocal leader, Looney will do well to learn from Tice and have time to come into his own as the Bears already boast a stable of quality guards.

Fourth Round [110th] Devon Wylie: Chicago continues to add youth and playmakers to their receiving corps as they pick up Wylie from Fresno State. He could be very productive out of the slot from day one and has killer speed and quickness. He boasts some impressive return ability and could develop into a Wes Welker type guy down the road.

Fifth Round [142nd] Nate Potter: Chicago adds a technician in Potter who has as good of technique as you’re going to find in the fifth. He will provide youth and quality depth to the OL as he develops with Tice molding him as he sees fit. Could develop into a start down the road or at the very least a talented swing tackle.

Sixth Round [173rd] Justin Bethel: Most know the name due the fact the Bears ran an article on him but in the fifth round Bethel provides the Bears with some intriguing depth and a player who can develop and learn from the star stocked defense. He also possesses amazing leaping ability.

Seventh Round [204th] Cyhl Quarles: Bears add Quarles from Wake Forest, a safety who provides depth and will be a valued addition to Toub’s ever consistent special teams. Already has experience in special teams and comes with good size and is an aggressive tackler.

Depth Chart:

QB: Cutler, Campbell, McCown
RB: Forte, Bell, Allen, Clutts
WR: Marshall, Bennett, Wylie, Weems, Hester, Knox (INJ)
TE: Davis, Spaeth
LT: Webb/C. Williams
LG:, Louis, E. Williams
C: Garza
RG: Spencer, Looney
RT: Carimi, Potter

RE: Peppers, Wootton
DT: Melton, Okoye
NT: Toenia, Paea
LE: Mercilus/Idonije
SLB: Roach, Costanzo
MLB: Urlacher, Dicico
WLB: Briggs, Brown
CB: Tillman, Jennings, Moore, Bethel
FS: Conte, Walters
SS: Wright, Steltz, Quarles


Note: I personally love Sanzenbacher. I think he could shed his "dropsies" problem easily as the guy had great hands all through college. I'd love for the Bears to hold onto him but I have no clue how Emery feels about him so this is under the assumption we cut him. If we kept him as a slot option I'd assume the Bears might go a little higher in the draft for a larger flanker type WR to develop. Also went with the CWill competing at LT route, not sure how I feel about it but I know Louis would be better suited for guard so I stuck with it.

Never pass up a chance to upgrade but there's room for Sanz and another slot guy. Wylie is supposed to be very good and competition makes everyone better. Injuries happen too so quality depth is important.

I'd love the first two picks but based on what sox is saying we may have to drop that 3rd and trade up to the beginning of round two to get him. Sox sees him going in the first 5 picks of round two. Wylie is a nice pick as is Potter if he lasts that long either or both could go earlier. The other guys I know nothing about so I can't comment.

It will be intriguing to see how that first round goes. Some guys think Mercilus could shoot into the top 20 while other have him at the very end of round one. This might be where we look at team picking after us and trade down a places to pick up another 4th to replace the third we may give up trading for Brown.

Ordinarily I'm not in favor of that but there are time when there is first round talent that drops into the second and if a guy is a perfect fit I think you go out and get him. That's the way I see Brown. We did it last year to draft Paea who I think is a great fit as a Bears Dlineman.

An OG would be nice but if we had a shot at Zach Brown I'd fore-go the OG this year because it's not an immediate need. If we don't get a shot at him we could just as easily use the 2nd on a better prospect at OG. So much depends on what else we accomplish in FA.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by soulman

Never pass up a chance to upgrade but there's room for Sanz and another slot guy. Wylie is supposed to be very good and competition makes everyone better. Injuries happen too so quality depth is important.

I'd love the first two picks but based on what sox is saying we may have to drop that 3rd and trade up to the beginning of round two to get him. Sox sees him going in the first 5 picks of round two. Wylie is a nice pick as is Potter if he lasts that long either or both could go earlier. The other guys I know nothing about so I can't comment.

It will be intriguing to see how that first round goes. Some guys think Mercilus could shoot into the top 20 while other have him at the very end of round one. This might be where we look at team picking after us and trade down a places to pick up another 4th to replace the third we may give up trading for Brown.

Ordinarily I'm not in favor of that but there are time when there is first round talent that drops into the second and if a guy is a perfect fit I think you go out and get him. That's the way I see Brown. We did it last year to draft Paea who I think is a great fit as a Bears Dlineman.

An OG would be nice but if we had a shot at Zach Brown I'd fore-go the OG this year because it's not an immediate need. If we don't get a shot at him we could just as easily use the 2nd on a better prospect at OG. So much depends on what else we accomplish in FA.

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True about Sanz, honestly even if he's on the team and Wylie is there in the fourth I say we grab him. I think he could do some major damage right away and develop into a great slot player. His combine was even more impressive than Welkers so given the right situation I think he'll be a great NFL player.

I'd be willing to keep the mock as is and sacrifice the third to go up and get Brown if the Bears valued him as someone who can be great in this D. Like you said with Paea, sometimes it's something you gotta do when you see a fit. He looks to have all the tools to be an elite linebacker once he adapts to the NFL. I wonder what Briggs is worth pick wise.

I really hope we add Hayden and resign Okoye before all focus shifts back to the draft. Resigning Forte would help as well.

Potter will be gone after the 4th round
why should we release sanz?

Here's where I'm at in dreamland at the moment:

1st WR Michael Floyd/Kendall Wright
2nd DE
3rd LB Vontaze Burfict
4th RB Chris Rainey
5th CB Cliff Harris

I'm about taking a few risks this draft and I'm expecting some young players on the current roster to step up big this year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

Here's where I'm at in dreamland at the moment:



1st WR Michael Floyd/Kendall Wright
2nd DE
3rd LB Vontaze Burfict
4th RB Chris Rainey
5th CB Cliff Harris

I'm about taking a few risks this draft and I'm expecting some young players on the current roster to step up big this year.

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I like it but sub hill in for wright

We have hester knox as a stretch guy i would like another big target for cutler

These guys can be every down players while those so called"rushbackers" will be situational guys if they even pan out

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grizzblue

I like it but sub hill in for wright

We have hester knox as a stretch guy i would like another big target for cutler

These guys can be every down players while those so called"rushbackers" will be situational guys if they even pan out

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I like what Hill showed off at the combine, but Wright is incredibly dangerous in the open field after the catch. He's proven he's a stud at teh college level. And with Knox becoming a FA aftre this season...well you have every reason to draft Wright. That being said, I wouldn't be unhappy if they did pick up Hill. He's a very intriguing prospect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

I like what Hill showed off at the combine, but Wright is incredibly
dangerous in the open field after the catch. He's proven he's a stud at teh college level. And with Knox becoming a FA aftre this season...well you have every reason to draft Wright. That being said, I wouldn't be unhappy if they did pick up Hill. He's a very intriguing prospect.

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I like hill a lot hes got the athletics of a top 10 guy who ive read is very coachable he has everything but college numbers but he played in a tripple option system

I have a feeling he will be a gem

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

Here's where I'm at in dreamland at the moment:

1st WR Michael Floyd/Kendall Wright
2nd DE
3rd LB Vontaze Burfict
4th RB Chris Rainey
5th CB Cliff Harris

I'm about taking a few risks this draft and I'm expecting some young players on the current roster to step up big this year.

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I follow Oregon and have seen Harris a lot. the guy has speed and is an excellent return man (something we dont need with big Dev, weems, knox) but he doesnt have the size or discipline for an NFL corner. his head isnt screwed on straight either. he's a wild card but not as early as 5th in my view

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rich1978

I follow Oregon and have seen Harris a lot. the guy has speed and is an excellent return man (something we dont need with big Dev, weems, knox) but he doesnt have the size or discipline for an NFL corner. his head isnt screwed on straight either. he's a wild card but not as early as 5th in my view

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5th is not early at all and for his return skills he's a great move in the 5th rd if he's even still around by then. How many 5-7 picks make an NFL roster year after year? The Bears sure don't have many making the roster each year from those rds. The Bears have a big decision to make on Hester after this season. He's got a real big cap number for next year and a lot of these guys don't like taking pay cuts. So its never too early to have a contingency plan.