2014 NFL Mock Draft: The Chicago Bears Select…
Nov 16, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (8) tackles Syracuse Orange running back Devante McFarlane (29) during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Try this on for size…
“With the 17th selection in the 2014 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears select Timmy Jernigan, defensive tackle, Florida State.”
Here’s what Josh Sanchez, our intrepid FanSided editor had to say about the Bears’ possible selection:
"Since defensive tackle Henry Melton went down with a torn ACL at the beginning of the season, the Bears defense has not been the same. If the Bears decide to move on from Melton after his contract expires at the end of the year, they will need a talented player to immediately step into the line up. Jernigan could be that guy."
Josh isn’t too far off. The Bears have had a big hole in the middle of their defensive line all season. Jernigan could immediately step into the Bears DT rotation regardless of what the Bears choose to do with the recovering franchise player Melton.
What I’d be more interested in seeing for the Bears is a big old Coke machine to park in the middle of that line. Their young linebacker Jon Bostic appears to have difficulty shedding blocks. I seem to remember about 700 lbs of ass that Mark Hatley dropped into the middle of the Bears’ D-line to keep blockers off Urlacher to help him make plays and flow to the ball. Maybe Notre Dame’s 340 lb DT Louis Nix III has an imaginaty girlfriend that will cause him to drop down some draft boards.
What do you think? I’m just starting to dip my toe into the draft pool, so help give me some names to start looking up and researching.