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A Look Ahead at the Chicago Bears NFL 2018 Draft

By Bryan Dietzler

Apr 22, 2017; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver D.J. Chark (7) catches a pass against Louisiana State Tigers defensive back Andraez Williams (29) during the annual Louisiana State Tigers purple-gold spring game at Tiger Stadium. Purple team won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver D.J. Chark (7) catches a pass against Louisiana State Tigers defensive back Andraez Williams (29) during the annual Louisiana State Tigers purple-gold spring game at Tiger Stadium. Purple team won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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If you think that the draft speculation has ended for the Chicago Bears, you are mistaken.  Even though the 2017 NFL Draft has come to a close, the speculation for what will happen in the 2018 NFL Draft has already started.  Let’s do some speculation with the Bears in mind and look at a few players that could interest them in 2018.

Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive lineman Zachary Crabtree (60) against the Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive lineman Zachary Crabtree (60) against the Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2017 NFL Draft brought a lot of promising prospects to the Chicago Bears.  They managed to get a player they hope will be their quarterback of the future in quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and grabbed a few other guys that will help give them some depth for the future. This draft was all about the future and not so much about the present.

The Bears will need some help at several positions on both sides of the ball.  These were positions that they couldn’t fill in free agency or the draft and will struggle with in 2017.  The 2018 NFL draft will give them some an opportunity to get some additional talent.  This could be the draft that will put them over the top in terms of getting them to the playoffs.

And it’s never too early to speculate who the Bears might take in the draft next year.

After reviewing some of the talent that will be available in the draft next year, and what the Bears’ potential needs project to be, I have come up with a list of five players the Bears could be interested in.  I have looked at the need, the potential fit and whether or not this player may be a good choice.  The summaries are short, and there will be additional information about each of these players later on .

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Chicago Bears /

Chicago Bears

If none of the guys they brought in at the position this year can rise to a number one status, then Chicago will be looking for a starter early in the draft.  That you can bet on.   With their first round pick, they might be interested in LSU wide receiver D.J. Chark.  Chark returned to LSU for his senior season and, with a strong campaign, should enhance his draft stock and get the Bear’s attention.  It would be nice to see Chark and Trubisky (if he starts in 2018) become the next Manning to Harrison combination.

Chicago could be in the hunt for a nose tackle depending on what happens with Eddie Goldman in 2017. If he can’t stay healthy, they are going to want to find someone who can replace him.  If he does remain upright, then the Bears may look at getting some depth with a strong body to rotate in with him.  An early favorite is Folorunso Fatukasi out of Connecticut.  He could play the nose tackle with his size and looks to be a fine prospect.  With a strong senior season, he could be a high draft pick.

Experts thought that the left tackle position might have been nice to solve in the draft or in free agency this spring, but it wasn’t taken care of.  The Bears may find themselves hunting for a good left tackle prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft.  Who would be a good player for them to be interested in?  Oklahoma State’s Zachary Crabtree, a 6-6, 310-pound behemoth, could fit the bill for the Bears.  He might be a solid prospect who, with a little bit of development, may end up being a great starter.

The Bears did add a safety in the draft in April and brought in aging veteran Quintin Demps.  They could still stand do upgrade here, however.  Unless someone comes along that could be a strong candidate at safety in free agency in 2018, Chicago should look to the draft to fill this position. Right now, a great guy to consider is Tennessee’s Todd Kelley, Jr.  Kelly, slated to be a strong safety and could help Chicago out immediately.  He is someone the Bears should take a long look at and consider drafting.

Finally, with Pernell McPhee getting older and often injured, Chicago will  be in the market for a good edge rusher.  The 2018 NFL Draft will feature several nice prospects that could help enhance Chicago’s pass rush and keep opponents off balance.  One such player hails from Boston College.  His name is Harold Landry.  Landry looks like he could be an outside linebacker (he plays defensive end in college).  That would make him a nice compliment to Leonard Floyd.

Next: Where does Victor Cruz stand on the depth chart?

It’s still way too early to exactly predict what positions the Bears will need in 2018.  It’s also difficult to tell which college players are going to be good enough to make it to the NFL or land in Chicago next season.    As the college and professional seasons begin, we will have a better picture of what to expect in the 2018 NFL Draft.

But it sure is fun to guess, isn’t it?

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