Chicago Bears Mock Draft (Rounds 1-3)
Third Round
S Justin Simmons, Boston College (6’2 | 202 | 4.52)
The Bears were surprisingly quiet on the free agent market for safeties considering they only have one decent starter at the position. Last year’s fifth round pick Adrian Amos started every game for the Bears and was surprisingly effective though didn’t make many big plays.
Simmons and Amos have very similar scouting reports; Both were tall corners early in their college careers, who were decent in coverage but were much better once switching to safety full-time as seniors. Bears DC Vic Fangio prefers safeties who can both cover like corners and be strong against the run. Having safeties that can play both in the box or single-deep allows Fangio to mask his coverages better, and Simmons fits that profile.
Simmons transition to safety went very well and he led the Eagles with ten turnovers last season: five interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and multiple impact plays in BC’s biggest games. He was a major contributor for three years in one of the better defenses in the ACC, using his above average length and natural football instincts to play multiple positions for the Eagles.
Simons strengths are his range in coverage, awareness from intensive film study, length, ball skills, and the versatility to play multiple roles in the defensive backfield. It doesn’t hurt that Simmons ran a 4.53 at his pro day and recorded a 40″ vertical and 10’6″ broad jump at the combine. He’s better in coverage than as a run stopper, but takes great angles to the ball, has sound tackling technique, and has the size to bring down NFL tight ends and running backs.
The Bears found a potential gem in the late rounds at safety last draft in Adrian Amos, but got very little production from free agent Antrel Rolle or rookie Harold Jones-Quartey. I think the 33-year-old Rolle is done as a starting caliber player and while Jones-Quartey showed potential, he is just a year removed from DII U of Findlay and isn’t close to being a starting safety in the NFL.
Simmons would give the Bears a versatile safety to pair with Amos who can excel in both coverage and run support. I have him graded as a mid-2nd round pick, but if Simmons is available in round three the Bears could have their safety combo for the next five years.
Other options if Simmons is gone: OLB Joe Schobert, Wisconsin; WR Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina; TE Nick Vannett, Ohio St; RB Jordan Howard, Indiana; CB Jalen Mills, LSU; OT Shon Coleman, Auburn