Bears Scouting Combine Shopping List
The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off in Indianapolis today and the pressure is on Jerry Angelo and his staff more than ever to hit on their draft picks. With the uncertainty on the labor front putting free agent signings in question, Jerry Angelo’s most successful method of filling the team’s needs isn’t available. It means that the scouting department had better be on their A game.
It’s no secret that the Bears have a bunch of holes to fill and the draft is the best way to go about addressing those needs. The defense is getting long in the tooth and needs to get younger to start bringing some new blood into the mix while the offense needs a more immediate impact if they want to put Jay Cutler in a position to succeed and survive for that matter.
I’ve identified the biggest areas of need for the Bears – Offensive Tackle, Offensive Tackle, Cornerback, Defensive Tackle and Wide Receiver and consulted with FanSided’s NFL Draft experts over at NFL Mocks and come up with the top prospects the Bears should be keeping an eye on throughout the combine:
Offensive Tackles: (Prospect, College, Projected Round)
1. Gabe Carimi Wisconsin 1st
2. Derek Sherrod Mississippi State 1st
3. Nate Solder Colorado 1st
4. Tyron Smith USC 1st
5. Anthony Castonzo Boston College 1st
6. Benjamin Ijalana Villanova 1st-2nd
7. James Carpenter Alabama 3rd
Offensive Guards:
1. Mike Pouncey Florida 1st-2nd
2. Jason Pinkston Pittsburgh 1st-2nd
3. Danny Watkins Baylor 2nd-3rd
4. Marcus Cannon TCU 2nd-3rd
5. Rodney Hudson Florida State 2nd
6. John Moffitt Wisconsin 4th
7. DeMarcus Love Arkansas 4th-5th
Cornerbacks:
1. Patrick Peterson LSU 1st
2. Prince Amukamara Nebraska 1st
3. Jimmy Smith Colorado 1st
4. Brandon Harris Miami 1st-2nd
5. Davon House New Mexico 2nd
6. Aaron Williams Texas 2nd-3rd
7. Ras-I Dowling Virginia 2nd-3rd
Defensive Tackles:
1. Marcell Dareus Alabama 1st
2. Nick Fairley Auburn 1st
3. Stephen Paea Oregon State 1st-2nd
4. Drake Nevis LSU 1st-2nd
5. Corey Liuget Illinois 1st-2nd
6. Muhammad Wilkerson Temple 1st-2nd
7. Marvin Austin North Carolina 2nd
Wide Receivers:
1. A.J. Green Georgia 1st
2. Julio Jones Alabama 1st
3. Jonathan Baldwin Pittsburgh 1st-2nd
4. Titus Young Boise State 2nd-3rd
5. Leonard Hankerson Miami 2nd-3rd
6. Torrey Smith Maryland 1st-2nd
7. Randall Cobb Kentucky 2nd-3rd