Now that we are a week into NFL free agency, most of the bigger names are off of the board. There will be signings between now and the NFL draft, but the reality is that no moves are really going to impact the draft plan.
With that in mind, it is time for a mock draft. We have not done many because it was so obvious the team was trading down and no mocks were realistic until about a week ago. However, we have had a good history of hitting on potential Chicago Bears options. With that in mind we are looking for the most realistic mock, not a wishlist. We are also using the PFF simulator, so do not comment about whether players will be there, it was not my call. Focus more on the potential fit if they were drafted by the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears Mock Draft Round 1: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
A lot of people have Peter Skoronski here, and some even have Paris Johnson Jr. However, not enough is being discussed about the potential of Broderick Jones, the star left tackle from Georgia. The Chicago Bears were at the Northwestern pro day and the Georgia Pro day.
It is interesting to note that after the Georgia pro day, there were reports that the NFL sees Broderick Jones as the best tackle in the class.
That is because in terms of pure upsie, it is hard to bet against Broderick Jones. Peter Skoronski does not have the adequate length to play left tackle. He will likely be a great guard, but if this is hopefully your last shot with a top 10 pick, do you want to swing for a double or a home run?
You can see from his MockDraftable profile, that in terms of an athlete, this is exactly what you want.
He is about average in height and weight but has above-average length. Beyond that, he is clearly above average as an athlete. Scouts talk about the way he moves being rare, and hard to find, especially in his backpedal as a pass protector.
Paris Johnson may be the better run blocker, and Skoronski may be the best college player, but in terms of NFL upside as a blindside blocker, the best bet may be Broderick Jones from Georgia. It is at least worth talking about the idea that they do this, because so many others will simply fill in Johnson or Skoronski, but Jones should be considered as well.
Round 2, pick 54: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern
Maybe the Chicago Bears saw someone else at the Northwestern Pro Day. Adetomiwa Adebawore has been impressive every step of the way and would be a great fit for the Chicago Bears. He played defensive end at Northwestern, but everything he has done this offseason says that he will be a three-technique in the NFL.
He dominated in that role at the Senior Bowl, then tested like a freak at the NFL combine. The Chicago Bears sent their defensive line coach to Northwestern, and they worked him out as a three-technique once again.
Fans were stunned that this was not addressed in free agency with someone like Dre'Mont Jones. They have to do something here, and Adetomiwa Adebawore is a great fit. He may be falling to this spot because he did not play this role in college, but the Bears have done their homework and may swing on the upside.
Round 2, pick 61: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State
Once Ryan Poles said that he expected Cody Whitehair to play at center, fans radar should have gone off that they were going to draft a center. Whitehair is competent as a center, but he is 31, he has been injured in two of his last three seasons, and it is hard to see his play getting back to when he was in his prime.
With that in mind, he is a placeholder until they can find a better option. That option may be Luke Wypler. Wypler is a true junior and a two-year starter for the Buckeyes. He is a bit undersized, and more of an athletic mover at center. That is exactly what the Chicago Bears want, though.
Because of Whitehair they can also ease him in, and can use his rookie year to gain some core strength. Still, an Ohio State center with Justin Fields for the next ten years seems ideal for all parties involved. Lets make it happen, Chicago Bears.
Round 3, pick 64: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
The Chicago Bears are not done building the trenches. Okay, Adetomiwa Adebawore is a bit undersized to consistently play inside. Let's beef up the middle with Keeanu Benton. Benton would be a great fit on this defensive line.
First off, he is a run stuffer, and we know how bad the Chicago Bears were at stopping the run. He plays more of the nose and 1-technique, so long term it would be a nice fit with Adetomiwa Adebawore. Beyond that, he would be able to come in and play a similar role to Andrew Billings. Eventually he would over take Billins. So, Adetomiwa Adebawore would be woring with Justin Jones, while Benton would work with Billings, and both rookies would take over once they are ready.
Benton is a good run stuffer, but through the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine he flashed enough pass rushing skills that he should be closer to a second round pick. This would be a great fit, and excellent value if Benton were around. He could contribute right away.
Round 4, pick 103: Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
There was once a time when many thought that Zach Harrison would be next in the line of Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, and Chase Young. That did not happen, but all of the physical attributes remain. He has unbelievable length, and there are bits and spurts of moments when it comes together and you see why he was heralded so high.
These are the swings that the team should be taking in round four. Perhaps they could use him rotationally to get after the passer, and only get the best of him.
Round 4, pick 133 Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas
Moro Ojomo is an interesting player because he moved up and down the Texas line and in and out. The reality here is that there are not a lot of great true edge rushers that will fix the Chicago Bears' holes if they do not take one in the top 10.
What they could do is use a combination of guys like Adetomiwa Adebawore, Moro Ojomo, and DeMarcus Walker as rotational edge rushers that can also slide inside. Ojomo is a bit big for the edge, but has played there, and can set the edge. Between the three of these names, they can move them up and down the line and find enough mixing and matching that is based on the situation.
It is not a perfect solution, but with Justin Jones, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Keeanu Benton, and Andrew Billings inside, then Zach Harrison, DeMarcus Walker, Trevis Gipson, and Dominique Robinson outside, Ojomo really could be a jack-of-all-trades that mixes in and helps them move Adetomiwa Adebawore and Walker around as well.
Round 5, pick 137: Dalton Wagner, RT, Arkansas
From NFL.com, Wagner is a pass protector who is light on his feet, but needs to add power in the run ga,e. The Chicago Beas can bring him into compete and give him some strength, but you know they love the foot quickness, and may take a shot here. They found Braxton Jones in this area, and could look tackle again.
Round 5, pick 149: Cameron Brown, CB, Ohio State
At times Cameron Brown has flashed, but injuries have hindered his ability to grow and increase his draft stock. The Chicago Bears can take their time with him, and do not need him to start next season. At this point in the draft, this is when you want to take a shot on upside players from a school like Ohio State
Round 7, pick 219: Noah Gindorff, TE, North Dakota State
Noah Gindorff will probably be lmited to a blocking tight end in the NFL, which is why he will fall this late in the NFL draft. Still, with Robert Tonyan being a poor blocker, they would love to add a third tight end who can really block, so that all of those duties do not fall squarely on Cole Kmet.