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Chicago Bears Biggest Draft Needs

By Bryan Dietzler

Nov 26, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates in the end zone after throwing his second touchdown of the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates in the end zone after throwing his second touchdown of the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) and defensive back Marcus Maye (20) combine to tackle Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) during the second quarter in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) and defensive back Marcus Maye (20) combine to tackle Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) during the second quarter in the 2016 Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Safety

Saying that some new blood here is going to be a little controversial.  The Bears have drafted at safety the past two seasons.  They have Adrian Amos and now Deon Bush but there have been mixed results.  Amos had a nice season last year but has been mediocre, perhaps less, this season and has had some poor performances.

The jury is still out on Bush as he hasn’t played enough to show much yet.  Let’s see how he does the rest of the season.  It’s been promising but it’s still too early to tell.

Depth at this position is a little sketchy.  Harold Jones-Quartey is a solid hitter and plays the run well but isn’t strong in coverage.  He is not a starter.  Chris Prosinksi is never going to be a starter in the NFL again.  His value is on special teams.

This position has been a sticky spot for the Bears for several seasons.  If you have noticed, they just can’t seem to get it right.  Granted, they haven’t used some their higher draft picks here (first to second rounders) but how many teams spend such a high pick on a safety anymore?  There have been some great first round safeties, don’t get me wrong. You have Earl Thomas and the late Sean Taylor both of whom were first rounders.  They had a great impact.  But you don’t typically build your team around a safety.

Therefore, using a first round pick on one is not a great idea.

Obviously, it would be nice if they could get someone like Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers.  That won’t happen.  There is no way the Bears would use their first-round pick on him.  Instead, they could look somewhere between the four and fifth round for a player at the safety position.

Who could be available that the Bears could take in the middle rounds?  Who could help bolster their safety position?  I came up with a few names that could be of interest.  They include:

Lorenzo Jerome-Saint Francis (Pennsylvania)

David Jones-Richmond

Marcus Maye-Florida

Jonathan Ford-Auburn

Quin Blanding-Virginia

Honestly, there aren’t a lot of great safeties in the 2017 NFL Draft.  The Bears may want to skip the position instead of drafting someone.  Perhaps they could make due with Bush and Amos?  But you never know what they might decide to do.  This area may still remain a position of need, like it has for a long time, into the 2017 season.

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