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Chicago Bears 2017 NFL Draft Redo: Trade Down Edition

By Greg O'Shalae

Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Pace smiles prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Pace smiles prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Round 1 | Pick 12 | Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) spits out water in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) spits out water in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Marlon Humphrey may well be the best corner of the 2017 NFL Draft.  His value was pretty much always slotted at mid-first, and his height and weight combination is alluring.

Humphrey would be an immediate starter in nickel coverage situations for the Chicago Bears.  Alongside Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper, it would be easy for Humphrey to find his niche.  Kicking off the draft by picking up a starting corner back works well for the Bears because of the uncertainty at the position.  Only Marcus Cooper figures to be a long-term solution.  Humphrey would likely step into a lock-down corner role in the future since Amukamara’s contract is a one-year deal.

He may not be perfectly refined in pass defense, but his athleticism and ability to recover allows him to make up for some mistakes.

As a run defender he’d be an immediate asset.  Humphrey willingly engages and takes on ball carriers head on.  He is definitely not a grab-and-drag tackler.

Humphrey also has a knack for creating turnovers.  In his two-year stint at Alabama, he’s responsible for eight total takeaways (five interceptions, three forced fumbles).

Finding a first round player who can contribute immediately is a fairly important key to improving a pretty bad 3-13 Chicago Bears team last year.

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