Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Round 5, Pick 160
It looks like Ryan Pace will be drafting for the Chicago Bears again this year, which could be a good thing considering his late-round selection success. I think Reed Blankenship could be a steal here at the 160th overall pick. He has great size and ball hawk abilities and could become a nice compliment to Eddie Jackson.
He is one of the best cover safeties in this draft and excels in both man and zone coverage. He has a high motor and is able to run all over the field to make plays. He has a high IQ which allows him to put himself in a position to make plays on the ball and is also a great tackler. The Bears suffered from poor tackling all season, so Blankenship’s tackling ability could help him stand out.
His speed and athleticism do hold him back a bit, as he struggles to run vertically with faster receivers. Also, his durability could cause concern as he only played seven games last year. Lastly, his discipline in coverage needs to improve in order for him to find success at the next level. Still, Blankenship is a talented player and could be a mid to late-round steal for Ryan Pace.
Player comparison: Tre Boston
Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Round 5, Pick 163 (from Seattle)
The Chicago Bears are going to have a need at cornerback if they trade Kyle Fuller. I can see them using a pick in the fifth or later rounds to get some more depth at the cornerback position. Ambry Thomas is an interesting prospect out of Michigan. He had a solid career at Michigan where he was able to demonstrate his elite speed and good downfield cover abilities. He is solid in his footwork and hip movements which allows him to be above average in man coverage.
His smaller size and length could be a con for his status, but he uses his speed and quickness to make up for it. He will need to add weight in order to be physical enough to play in the NFL, but he has solid fundamentals and good hand usage to make up for his lack of size and strength. He would best fit as a man cover guy but could learn to possibly become a part of the Bears defense. I think with the right coaching Ambry Thomas could be a huge steal coming out of this draft.