Chicago Bears Draft Choice – Aaron Donald vs Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (6) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Brennan Clay (24) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama (6’1″, 209 lbs)

From our draft profile:

"[Clinton-Dix] has great range, ball skills, good hands, and underrated physicality against the run. Dix is a prototype centerfielder in pass coverage and not a liability against the run. He’s not a big hitter, but is a sound tackler and takes good angles to the ball. With the NFL becoming more of a passing league, an asset in coverage like Dix is worth a first round pick."

The case to draft…

The Bears safeties were putrid last year, the worst ranked duo in the league.  They’ve added Ryan Mundy via free agency and not all that much else.  There have been plenty of reinforcements added along the defensive line, so you get an impact player and a young cornerstone for your defensive backfield.  The Bears have been in search of a safety for nearly the last decade.  Hopefully drafting Clinton-Dix would finally end that search.

The case not to draft…

It starts up front and in the trenches.  If you get help on the defensive line and can pressure opposing quarterbacks, you can get by with lesser safeties.  If the Bears think they have a starting free safety in free agent Ryan Mundy, would they double down and draft Clinton-Dix?

What do you think, Bears fans?  If you had to choose between defensive tackle Aaron Donald or safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who would you select?