Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks during a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Emery held his annual pre-draft misdirection discussion, otherwise knows as a press conference. All that was missing was a smoke screen and Emery in a pair of dark glasses or some other disguise. As the NFL Draft is just a week away, putting out misinformation to throw other teams off the scent is at it’s pinnacle. Emery and the Bears are no different, trying to get everyone to think they’re going to zig when they actually want to zag.
During Thursday morning’s presser, Emery indicated the Bears are eyeing up several players for their #14 pick overall:
"On Thursday morning, during a pre-draft news conference at Halas Hall, Emery made it clear the Bears have a short list of six players they are zeroed in on at No. 14.“I’d be happy that two out of the six were on the board at our pick,” Emery said. “And I’d be ecstatic if three of the six were on the board at our pick.”"
So, let’s see if we can guess who the six players who are on their board. My guesses, in order of preference:
Aaron Donald
Calvin Pryor
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Justin Gilbert
Darqueze Dennard
Timmy Jernigan
What do you think? Who are the magic six? Do you think they’d have someone like Clowney on their board or is that too much of a reach to think that he’d be anywhere within reach?
The Bears are fielding calls for a trade down, presumably if there were a few of their players still on the board when their turn comes up, they could slide a few spots and still get one of their guys. Unless you’re getting a huge package of picks, I’d be less inclined to slide down. The Bears need an impact player who can step in and start immediately. The further you slide down the draft board, the less likely you get that type of player.