Chicago Bears Mock Draft (Rounds 1-3)

Second Round

DL Vernon Butler, Lousinana Tech (6’4 | 323 | 5.25)

For the record I have Butler ranked as top twenty overall player and he was in the mix for the Bears first pick at eleven. That being said, I have a first round grade on ten defensive linemen so a few of them are most likely going to drop to the second round.

With the Bears picking 41st overall, they should have a shot at a defensive linemen with first round talent in the second round. It’s by far the strongest position in the draft and whether it’s Butler or not there should be a 5-tech DE available who can help the Bears immediately.

I’m hoping it’s Butler, who I have going 16th overall to the Lions. I’d much rather Butler end up with the Bears than the Lions and think he could drop to the 2nd round due to his small school pedigree and lack of impressive statistics. There are so many quality defensive linemen available with similar traits that it will come down to a team’s preference and some GMs may feel safer going with an option from a power-5 school.

Butler is a good fit for the Bears; He has experience at all three spots along an odd-man front and the size to play them all at the NFL level. Butler boosted his stock with a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl, winning almost all of his 1-1 battles and consistently abusing any offensive linemen in his way.

He’s got great length and width with long arms to keep blockers at bay, the power to drive them into the backfield, and an explosive first step that allows him to generate pressure. Butler is built like a nose tackle and can play there, but his lateral quickness, ability to shed blockers, and an effective swim move give him the versatility to play defensive end as well.

Right now the Bears have two promising d-linemen in Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks, but have a opening at the other 5-tech position. Butler could compete for the starting 5-tech position right away with Mitch Unrein, Will Sutton, and Ego Ferguson and also be a valuable back-up at nose tackle for Eddie Goldman.

Other options if Butler is gone: DE Chris Jones, Mississippi St; S Karl Joseph, West Virginia; CB Xavien Howard, Baylor; OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana; DE Jonathan Bullard, Florida

Next: Third Round