2017 Chicago Bears Seven-Round Mock Draft 3.0
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
No, it’s not Christmas yet. However, for teams that are rebuilding, it might as well be.
The 2017 NFL Draft is just days away, and fans everywhere are anticipating which players their teams will pick. This holds especially true for Chicago Bears fans. Coming off of a 3-13 season, their team is in need of a massive turnaround, and fast. Luckily, the Bears have the third overall pick this year, as well as high picks in nearly every round. With so many needs on their roster, it would be a massive hindrance to their rebuild if they don’t nail this draft.
Before we get started, make sure to check out my first two Bears mock drafts from earlier in the season.
Now, without further ado, let’s dig right in.
Round 1: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Rumors have been swirling around that the Bears could take a quarterback with the No. 3 pick. However, that would clearly be a reach, and general manager Ryan Pace has proven that he’s not one to reach for talent. That said, picking Jamal Adams would be the team’s best bet.
Jamal Adams covers like a cornerback and hits like a linebacker. He has the size and aggressiveness to cover tight ends, as well as the athleticism to cover wide receivers and running backs. He’s a valuable asset in the run game, as he thrives when asked to run downhill. His hip movements are fluid, and he can read plays before they happen. Off the field, he is a natural leader whom players will rally around from Day 1.
The Bears are a secondary away from having a great defense. Adding Adams could help them take that step to the next level.
Round 1 (via SEA): DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
Trade: Bears get 26th pick; Seahawks get Bears 2017 second-round pick, 2017 fourth-round pick (via BUF) and 2018 sixth-round pick.
Since the Bears passed on a quarterback with the third pick, they’ll need to find a way to snatch their franchise guy. They likely would miss out on one of the top four prospects in the second round, so a trade up would be ideal. Obviously, trading in the draft is easier said than done, but the move would make sense.
The Seahawks pick one pick ahead of the Chiefs, whom may believe to be targeting a signal-caller in Round 1. If the Bears traded ahead of them, they’d likely still have at least one top-tier prospect available. Seattle gets to add some mid-round selections to help boost their secondary and their terrible offensive line.
DeShone Kizer’s stock has been falling in recent months. After Deshaun Watson won over our hearts with his championship game performance and people started (finally) warming up to Patrick Mahomes, Kizer status as the No. 2 quarterback in this class is murky, at best. That’s good news for teams like the Bears, who would be much better off not picking a quarterback at No. 3.
Kizer’s arm is probably the second best in this year’s class. He’s able to make almost any throw, regardless of where it is on the field. He has pro-ready mechanics, good pocket mobility and a 6’4″, 233-pound frame. His decision making isn’t the best, as he made his fair share of bad throws last year.
The Bears have Mike Glennon, so they don’t need a quarterback to start right away. This would give Kizer some time to prepare for the NFL game and iron out some wrinkles in his game. After a year or two, though, he would step in and (presumably) become their franchise quarterback.
AROUND COVER32
2017 NFL Draft: Why the Bears will not take a QB with the third overall pick in the draft
What’s Trending: Manning takes “high road” after being called a liar by NJ Governor Chris Christie
cover32 Reaction: The Aaron Hernandez Saga; a Raiders’ perspective
Round 3: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado
A little over a week ago, I decided to look over five cornerbacks who fit the “Vic Fangio mold”. You know the type: tall, long-armed backs who are physical at the point of attack. While writing that article, I discovered a player who could be a very good fit with the Bears: Ahkello Witherspoon.
At 6’3″ with arms that measure in at 33″, Witherspoon has tremendous length. He uses that to his advantage in coverage. Last year, he led the nation in passes deflected with 23. His fluid hips, solid footwork and overall athleticism help him mirror any receiver’s movements. He will need to work on his tackling in the pros, but Fangio and defensive backs coach Ed Donatell can help fix that.
Witherspoon’s raw size and athleticism alone are intriguing for any defensive coordinator to work with. Add in his impressive ball skills, and he could be a steal in the third round.
Round 4: George Kittle, TE, Iowa
The Bears added tight end Dion Sims in free agency, which was a solid addition, despite the hefty price. However, he probably won’t be able to handle the load alone once Zach Miller leaves in a few years. With that in mind, a high-upside pick like George Kittle makes perfect sense here.
Kittle is an impressive blend of size, athleticism and blocking ability. At 6’4″ and 247 pounds, he matches up physically with most tight ends in the NFL today. Although he isn’t as big as other blocking-first tight ends, he has the technique and ability to block like an offensive lineman. His athleticism is impressive, as well: his 4.52 40-yard dash and 132-inch vertical are proof of that. And although his receiving stats aren’t all that meritorious, he has smooth hands and rarely drops passes.
Kittle has the talent to be a good blocker right off the bat, and the raw ability to be a good receiver down the line. He could end up starting for the Bears in the next few years, if chosen.
Round 5: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, ILB, Tennessee
I feel that people are blowing Danny Trevathan’s situation out of proportion. Sure, his patellar tendon injury is bound to impact him in some way, but it’s not like all of his talents will magically fade away because of it. Nonetheless, it’s best that the Bears play it safe and add depth at inside linebacker. Why not pick up someone who is very similar to Trevathan as a player?
When looking at Trevathan’s scouting report from 2012, it’s apparent that he and Jalen Reeves-Maybin share many similarities. They’re the exact same height and have similar arm lengths, hand sizes and weights. Reeves-Maybin is an athletic, instinctive linebacker who can drop back in coverage with ease, as is Trevathan. One of Reeves-Maybin’s biggest concerns, like Trevathan, is that he undersized. However, Trevathan was able to bulk up and currently plays at 240 pounds without a problem. If Reeves-Maybin does the same, he could end up having a similar ceiling.
By adding Reeves-Maybin, the Bears would have their long-term inside linebacker duo set. Sitting under Jerrell Freeman and Trevathan would help him and Nick Kwiatkoski develop.
Round 7: Ifeadi Odenigbo, EDGE, Northwestern
Leonard Floyd proved to be worthy of the No. 9 pick this year, much to my surprise. I admittedly wasn’t all that high on him last year, but he defied my expectations. The Bears could still use some depth at edge rusher, though. Enter local prospect Ifeadi Odenigbo.
Odenigbo is powerful and explosive off the edge. His bull rush and spin move are very effective, but he doesn’t have much else in his pass-rushing repertoire. He’s a solid, all-around athlete who put up above-average numbers at the Combine. His production, while not sky high, was pretty decent at Northwestern, especially in his senior year, when he racked up 10 sacks.
I have Odenigbo higher on my board than the seventh round, but that appears to be where most believe he will go. After having the chance to talk to him personally, I can tell that he’s humble, yet confident, and would be a good teammate. He would be a good piece worth developing in the Bears’ front-seven.
– Jacob Infante is a National Editor for cover32 and also covers the Chicago Bears. He can be followed on Twitter @jacobinfante24.
The post 2017 Chicago Bears Seven-Round Mock Draft 3.0 appeared first on Cover32.
