Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft 1.0

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4th Round (113): DE Aaron Lynch, South Florida (6’6, 244) – Was a freshman All-American at Notre Dame (5.5 sacks, 7 TFLs) before transferring to South Florida (homesick) and sitting out a year. Lynch was hyped as a potential All-American before his redshirt sophomore year but wasn’t as good for his new school, despite playing against considerably weaker competition. Lynch has ideal size for a speed rushing DE and has unusually long arms that allow him to maintain separation from blockers. He has shown multiple pass-rush moves in his short college career and at times looks like a top-10 overall prospect. Lynch finished 2013 with four sacks in his last three games and if Lynch had shown that type of production the whole year, he’d be a 1st round lock. All of the physical tools are there for Lynch but when the production isn’t, it’s a red flag. Speaking of flags, Lynch has had issues with keeping his emotions in check on the field and has been a penalty magnet in his two years at the collegiate level. Despite a couple of concerns, Lynch has the tools to be great and is your classic boom-or-bust prospect. He is well worth the risk if he falls to the 4th round.

I think Lynch’s problems are fixable with some coaching and maturity. You can’t teach the elite pass rushing ability that Lynch has shown glimpses of. There is some risk here, but the upside is worth a 4th round pick.

Other options: (CB Keith McGill, S Terrance Brooks, S Vinnie Sunseri, CB Jaylen Watkins, OLB Christian Kirksey)