Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears Mock Draft: All Seven Rounds

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:51 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Bryan Dietzler/FanSided via Bear Goggles On

Sep 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of a Chicago Bears logo light prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Doing a mock draft this early in the off-season is always tricky.  The combine hasn’t happened yet and workouts have not taken place.  Free agency has not happened.  So here is a guess at the players the Bears may be targeting in the 2017 NFL Draft.  Remember, this is only a guess.

The Chicago Bears have got a lot of holes to fill and can use both free agency and the draft to try to fill them.  They have plenty of money to use in free agency to get some quality, experienced talent.  What they do in free agency will affect what they do in the draft.  So, a lot should be done in free agency, first, to try to fix this team.

When the dust settles from free agency, it will be time to focus solely on the draft.  The Bears will have seven picks in the 2017 NFL Draft and will need every single one of them to help make themselves a contender in the next few seasons.

There are a lot of varying opinions on what positions the Bears need to address.  Most will agree that quarterback and safety are at the top of the list.  You can also throw in cornerback, offensive tackle and tight end.  Wide receiver could also be a need depending on what happens with Alshon Jeffery.

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The Bears will attempt to take care of some of these needs in free agency.  However, the draft is where they can find long-term talent they can develop.  They could find a couple starters in the first three rounds and then find guys they can bring along in the later rounds.  They need to play it smart and chose their talent wisely.  It’s hard to recover when you make too many mistakes in a draft, especially early on.

General Manager Ryan Pace has had done some good in his first two drafts.  He has hit on guys like Jordan Howard, Cody Whitehair and Adrian Amos.  There have been, however, some guys that just haven’t worked out (yet).  Kevin White is someone who comes to mind there.

This is a make or break year for the Bears. This draft will either help propel them forward and into possible playoff contention or set them back for a few more years.  The time for the Bears is now.

The following is a full mock draft for all the picks the Bears have in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.  Taken into account is what they need and the best player, at that position in the draft, to help fill that need.  Comments are welcome.

Nov 14, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Dominique Reed (87) runs after a catch past LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) for a touchdown during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The desire for the Bears to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft is heavy.  Fans want either Deshaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky or DeShone Kizer.  And it’s likely that one of those three guys will be there when the Bears pick third in the first round of the draft.  But is a quarterback worth taking at number three?

This writer’s favorite scenario for the Bears to trade down in the first round, somewhere in the middle and pick up extra draft picks.  There, they could maybe take a guy like Watson (he may slide) who could fall into the 10-15 range.  They might be able to get a good safety or take the best player available.

So, playing on a scenario where the Bears trade down, it’s time to go out on limb.  Let’s say the Bears trade down from number three to number 14 in the draft.  They can pick up some extra draft picks doing that (we won’t guess on which picks they get) and get more talent.  But who would they select at that spot in the draft?

Aside from quarterback, one of the biggest needs the Bears have is safety.  There are three players in this draft who, right now, are rated as first round talent at the position.  They are Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers, Ohio State’s Malik Hooker and LSU’s Jamal Adams.  It’s very likely one of these three players will be there when the Bears pick at number 13.

Please note that Hooker did undergo surgery recently and will be out 4-6 months.  It will be hard to get a read on him.  Would Adams and Peppers be available at number 13?

Adams may be the best fit for the Bears.  With Hooker recovering from surgery and Peppers likely to be the first safety taken (as it stands now) Adams may it.  He quietly could be the stronger of the three and has had a proven and productive college career.  That counts for a lot.

Scouts seem to think that there aren’t any glaring weaknesses with Adams.  If he lasts (in this mock draft) the Bears would be crazy to pass him up.  They need the help and he can provide it.

Jamal Adams-S-LSU

Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) attempts a pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears don’t need to draft a quarterback in the first round to find their signal caller of the future.  They can find one in the second round.

But the Bears have other needs to address.  Could they get by without a future franchise quarterback for another year?  Can they a player at another position at number 36?

For the value, it might be wise if the Bears did take a quarterback here.  But who could they take?  Who would be available and who would have the best value?

Some feel that Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer could be a second-round player but a lot of scouts think he is a late first rounder pre-combine.  Deshaun Watson could be the first quarterback taken so scratch him from second round consideration.  Mitch Trubisky appears to be dropping and could easily be around in the second round when the Bears pick at number 36.

There is one guy who some are overlooking as a second-round draft pick at quarterback.  He has had a solid career and, with an impressive effort in the weeks before the draft, could be someone the Bears look at taking.

Miami’s Brad Kaaya could be available for the Bears in round two.  He could be developed over the course of a season or two, with a bridge quarterback in the interim, and then end up the starter.  Scouts seem to think that he has the skill to become a future starter, eventually, but needs time to develop.  Would the Bears be willing to develop a quarterback?

Another interesting name to throw out there is Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes.  Scouts have him rated as a second-round pick right now but he could slip into the top of the first round.  He has gotten some good reviews and looks like he could be a future NFL star.  Could he interest the Bears?

Brad Kaaya-QB-Miami

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If the Bears hold true to this mock draft, they will have taken care of two of their biggest needs early.  They can concentrate on other needs that have become pressing over the course of the past season in the rest of the draft.  Their next three biggest needs are at cornerback, left tackle and tight end.  It’s time to start addressing those here at number three.

The third round of any draft can be one where you can find that hidden gem.  Some great players that have been taken in the third round include Jamaal Charles, Russell Wilson and Jimmy Graham.  You can find starters there and get a lot of value for the pick.  But only if you do it right.

In looking at who might be available at number 67, there are several ways the Bears could go.  At cornerback, such great talent as Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey and Washington’s Sidney Jones.  Those are two guys the Bears might like.

At tight end, guys like Ole Miss’ Evan Engram and Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges could fit.  If they chose to go for an offensive tackle, two guys they might be interested in include Utah’s Garett Bolles and Western Michigan’s Taylor Moton.

As you can see, the Bears have a lot choices in the third round.  But which is the best choice?

Cornerback could be the most pressing need on the team after safety and quarterback.  The Bears may or may not have Kyle Fuller back and Tracy Porter is becoming more and more of a liability.  So, taking a cornerback is a must for the Bears early in the draft.

In looking at the two guys that are rated as third round prospects, both have a lot of talent and could help the Bears.  But Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey may be the best of the two.  He has a lot of upside and if you look at any of the scouting reports on him, you will wonder why he is a third-round rated talent.  He might slip into the middle or bottom of the second round. He does have some negative aspects to work on but if he can get some good NFL coaching, he could be a solid starter.

He would be a steal if the Bears could get him in the third round.  But he might not last that long.

Marlon Humphrey-CB-Alabama

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; USC Trojans offensive tackle Chad Wheeler (72) blocks Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) during the game at AT&T Stadium. Alabama defeats USC 52-6. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears, for now, have two fourth round picks so they have some options.  Having taken care of their needs at quarterback, cornerback and safety, they can start looking at their remaining needs.  The fourth round is where you find depth and guys that you can develop into starters.  This is where the Bears can shine.

Some depth at the left tackle position would be great here.  They might be even be able to develop a starter out of someone taken in this round.  It might be a season or two before that person could start but they need the help.

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Looking at the players available at the tackle position, there are about five guys that the Bears could consider.  They include Bucknell’s Julien Davenport, Arkansas’ Dan Skipper, USC’s Chad Wheeler, Utah’s J.J. Dielman and UCLA’s Conor McDermott.

If you take a close look at these guys and do some comparisons, you might see that Wheeler could be the best of the bunch.  He has the size that you would want (6-6, 310) and he has well-developed skills.  Yes, he could use some fine tuning but he could easily be a starter down the road.

109-Chad Wheeler-OT-USC

With the tight end position being one of need, the Bears could find someone to help shore that position up here.  They may try to grab a starter a little bit earlier in the draft but they may be able to get along with Zach Miller for at least another season.  That means they could find someone to develop and that person would probably come after round three.

In looking at the tight ends that are ranked as fourth round picks, you will see that there isn’t much to choose from.  There are really two solid fourth round tight end prospects.  They are Adam Shaheen from Ashland and Clemson’s Jordan Leggett.

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers tight end Jordan Leggett (16) catches a pass against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ronnie Harrison (15) in the fourth quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Leggett has more experience than Shaheen who is a junior.  Teams may really like Leggett though, much more than anyone else at this point in the draft.  Why?  Because he comes from that high-powered Clemson offense.  But can he catch the ball?  Can he block?  The scouts say he is a versatile player that can help increase the options in the passing game.  He can catch the ball well which is a huge plus for a tight end coming to Chicago.  But, his blocking ability and character have been called into question.  Would he someone the Bears could afford to use a draft pick on?

For this mock draft, we will say they can use him.  Leggett could easily be the Bears’ the Bears new tight end and could help solidify the position.

Jordan Leggett-TE-Clemson

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Daeshon Hall (10) in action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With most of their glaring needs taken care of, they can concentrate on getting some depth at certain positions.  You can find good talent in the fifth round.  They can do that in the fifth round and they can find some good quality talent.  Remember what they did last year.  They picked up running back Jordan Howard in that round and he was easily their best player in 2016.

Can the Bears find another gem, like Howard, in the fifth round?

In this mock draft, so far, the defensive line has been overlooked.  The Bears could use some depth there especially with the injury history of Eddie Goldman.  One more body there could do them some good.

Do they go defensive end or defensive tackle?  That’s another decision they must make.

Defensive end could be the position the Bears look to fill here.  But who is available?  Right now, scouts have about five guys pegged as potential fifth rounders at D’ end.  They include Daeshon Hall of Texas A&M, Hunter Dimick of Utah, Keionta Davis out of Chattanooga, Josh Carraway of TCU and Trey Hendrickson of Florida Atlantic.

In looking at these four side by side, it might appear as if either Hendrickson or Hall could be good fits for Chicago.  The issue with Hendrickson is he has the stature (weight) of a tall linebacker (6-4,255) so he might be better as an outside linebacker.  Hall could be the better fit because he is more of a traditional defensive end (he does have an additional ten pounds on him).    He is an athletic guy that can rush the passer but he still needs some work.

If the Bears develop him properly, he could be a productive rotational end for them soon.

Daeshon Hall-DE-Texas A&M

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A seventh-round pick is typically a long-shot to make any NFL roster. But there have been some that have not only made a team but shined bright.  Guys like Joe Horn, Gary Anderson and Donald Driver were seventh round selections that made a huge impact in the league.  Will the Bears be able to find someone like that in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft?  We can only hope.

The typical strategy in the seventh round is to try to get the best player still available after almost 200 players have been picked.

So, we should assume that the Bears may go for a depth player that could be someone they develop on the practice squad.  At the very least, they will get some training camp depth out of this pick.  And seventh rounders aren’t huge investments so they won’t be damaged for years if they miss at number 224.

Depending on what happens prior to the draft, the Bears may need some depth at wide receiver.  Yes, a seventh-round wide receiver may not make a big impact but remember Donald Driver?

As it stands right now, there are about five wide receivers rated as seventh round talent.  They are West Virginia’s Shelton Gibson, LSU’s Travin Dural, Mississippi State’s Fred Ross, Ole Miss’ Damoreea Stringfellow and Louisville’s’ Jamari Staples.

If you had to pick one of these guys, the one that you might pick above them all is Stringfellow.  He has the height (6-2) to get up and high point the ball and has remained relatively healthy.  Blocking seems to be something that he needs to work on and he may be a potential off the field risk.

His positives outweigh his negatives and most scouts agree he could rise in the draft.  He might not be there in the seventh round.

But Stringfellow could be worth a look.  He may develop into a second or third string wide receiver at some point in his career.  The Bears could only win if they picked him

Damoreea Stringfellow-WR-Ole Miss

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