Ways to Fix the Chicago Bears Safety Position in 2017

This is going to split into two parts.  This first part will cover potential draft picks at the safety position who could be starters.  A starter will general come out of rounds one or two.

First Round

The Bears will pick in third spot in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.  Now the Senior Bowl, combine and workouts haven’t taken place yet so the rankings are very preliminary right now.  But at this time, several draft services, and this writer, have a couple safeties rated to be top 10 in the NFL draft.  We will take a quick look at them now.

First Round

Jabrill Peppers, from Michigan, comes into the draft as a junior and one of the best defenders in the nation.  He could project to cornerback, safety or even to linebacker but Chicago needs him at safety.  His skill-set includes being a great athlete who can not only shine in the defensive backfield but also return punts.  He can figure out a play quickly and is a sure tackler.  He isn’t afraid to hit someone.

When it comes to covering receivers, Peppers should be able to play in several different types of coverage schemes.  His ability to cover would be a big asset to the Bears.

Another safety prospect that could crack the top five and land at number three is LSU’s Jamal Adams.  Adams is a decent cover safety who has the speed to keep up with quick receivers.  He tackles well and is quick to the ball.  He plays with a lot of intensity and power.

What Adams doesn’t do well and needs to work on is taking the right angle towards the play.  Other than that, after watching him in a few games, he looks like close to being an ideal NFL safety.

Could the Bears be interested in one of these two guys?  If they were, these guys could be worth taking with the third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Second Round

There are a few good safeties that are rated as second round picks now.  The guy who may be considered somewhere between a first and second round pick is Ohio State’s Malik Hooker.  (Some people think he could be the best safety in the draft).  If he were to last into the second round, he might be a steal.   Washington’s Budda Baker is currently rated as a second-round pick and could be worth taking early in that round.

Utah’s Marcus Williams may be someone the Bears want to look at.  Finally, depending on what position the Bears see him playing, Iowa’s Desmond King, who could play cornerback or free safety, might be available.  Of course, a lot depends on how the workouts and combine go but these guys are some possible second rounders.  These second-round prospects could also step in and start.