Bears Trade Back into 4th Round to Select Safety Brock Vereen

Oct 26, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Brock Vereen (21) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) for a lose in the second half at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers won 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After selecting Arizona running back Ka’Deem Carey in the top of the 4th round at pick #117, the Bears traded their way back into the 4th round and finally grabbed a much needed safety by selecting University of Minnesota Safety Brock Vereen with pick #131.  The Bears traded the Denver Broncos their 5th round selection this year (#156) and their 5th round pick in 2015 for the 131st pick and the Broncos’ 7th round spot, pick #246.

Vereen will be part of another NFL brother tandem along with New England Patrits running back brother Shane, so you get the sense that Phil Emery likes players with a football pedigree.  Brock’s father was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bucs back in the day, but played in the CFL.

Here’s our pre-draft profile on Vereen:

"9.) Brock Vereen, Minnesota (5’11, 199): His impressive performance at the combine earned him a spot in the draft. Vereen had the 2nd fastest 40-time (4.47) and the most bench reps (25) of all the safeties. He has good coverage skills but could be a liability against the run at the next level. It won’t be from lack of effort though, Vereen is a hard-nosed, max-effort player whose best bet to see the field on defense might be at free safety. Wherever he ends up, Vereen should excel on special teams. Draft projection: 5th-6th round"

Brock has another attribute that Phil Emery likes – versatility.  He started at cornerback as a freshman and moved to safety

I don’t know that Vereen will unseat any of the incumbents on the Bears’ roster in the secondary from the get-go, but it looks like he has some solid building blocks.  He was the fastest safety and did the most reps in the bench press among the safeties.  It looks like he’ll be a try hard, max effort player who will be a solid special teamer and could grow into an impact role if things break the right way.

What do you think of the pick?  Would you have preferred to see someone else at this spot?