Chicago Bears 2012 Mock Draft: Buying or Selling Drafttek's Latest Picks

Drafttek has a full seven-round mock draft up at their site, but as the keeper of the Bears flame, I have been charged with the task of saying "yea" or "nay" to each of those proposed picks.

Other so-called experts are just getting around to projecting all seven rounds, while we here at Bleacher Report have been doing that for awhile.

Thanks to the intelligent debate we've had here on our site, along with the wisdom that can only come from a tortured soul bleeding blue and orange, I will speak for the masses and critique the picks from www.Drafttek.com.

For those who don't know, Drafttek uses a computer program to simulate a seven-round 2012 NFL Mock Draft. So there is no bias, just computer simulation that uses technology to determine the picks.

Well, the only computer I have helping me determine whether I would "buy" or "sell" these picks is the one in my head. And for those of you who read me regularly, I'm in trouble.  

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1st Round: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With the 19th overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft, Drafttek selects Michael Floyd of Notre Dame. Well, this is hardly a shock to Bears fans, many of whom are screaming for help at the wideout position.

While I am of the mind, like some of you, that the Bears need to sign a free agent WR in addition to anyone they draft, since even first-round draft picks can be difficult to count on, this is a good pick by the computer program.

If I was a betting man, and not knowing the specific tendencies of new GM Phil Emery, I would bet that Floyd is high on the Bears' wish list, if not the consensus choice here.

There are certainly other great choices to be found at No. 19 depending on how the dominoes fall, as we have discussed in prior mock drafts. DE Melvin Ingram comes to mind as my personal favorite, but Floyd definitely fills a need for Chicago.

Floyd has the size (6'3") the Bears need at the position, as well as the hands and athleticism to make an immediate impact. He doesn't possess elite speed, but will be a huge upgrade for the Bears.

Verdict: BUY!

2nd Round: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Now, this is an interesting pick by Drafttek. The more I consider it, the more I actually like it. The Bears will certainly use a tight end as more of a pass catching weapon in the Mike Tice offense, and while Fleener is the best candidate on the board, is it worth a second-round pick?

There are too many questions for me to say with certainty that he's worthy of a second-round pick. Yes, I've seen teams like Green Bay, New England and many others utilize a tall tight end to drastically improve their offensive production, but there are two main reasons I'm hesitant with this selection.

First, the Bears have an unproven Kellen Davis, He certainly has the size needed at the position; the question is whether he get open consistently and whether he has good hands.

I honestly don't know the answer to that question, but then again it's worth it to find out, as Davis really didn't get a shot in the Mike Martz offense. If he is that guy, then it would cost the Bears nothing as opposed to spending a second-round pick.

Secondly, the Bears have other needs, such as cornerback, a pass rushing defensive lineman and an offensive lineman.

Fleener is the top receiving threat at TE in the draft, and I really like the kid. But I seriously question (I know, I'm debating a computer here) whether I would take a TE at pick No. 50.

Verdict: SELL!

3rd Round (No. 73): Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

Well, at least Drafttek and I agree on two things: the Bears need receivers and cornerbacks. If the Bears are not going to improve the pass rush through free agency or the draft, then they must get another corner to run tandem with Charles Tillman.

I would rather go with a corner such as Trumaine Johnson, who has elite size (6'2"), or Alfonzo Dennard. Drafttek has Dennard going in the second round and apparently prefers Boykin.

(Side note: Did you notice Drafttek has Chattanooga QB B.J. Coleman going to the Seahawks in round three? This is a kid I really like and told you that I was surprised he was projected to last until the fifth round in a couple of my prior mocks. Just sayin', is all.)

In fact, the other corner I prefer, Coryell Judie, lasts until pick No. 79 to the Chargers, so I would prefer rolling the dice and waiting for No. 80 to take Judie and saving this pick for Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler.

(Side note No. 2: Drafttek has Illinois WR A.J. Jenkins much higher than I had projected, going to the Texans at No. 89. I think this is way too early.)

The irony here is that they have Johnson being taken by the Packers at No. 91. That's another reason to wait to take a corner.

Verdict: SELL!

3rd Round (No. 80): Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia

I had Nigel Bradham as one of my considerations in a previous mock, and Irvin is a similar player. Irvin is an interesting story, however, as he didn't play high school football, got caught up with the wrong crowd and briefly ended up in jail, before turning things around.

After Irvin got his GED, he didn't even make Butler Community College's football team. But that's all behind him as he can go get the QB. As an undersized DE in the Bears 4-3, he could be a good choice for Chicago here.

But Irvin has played mostly in passing situations, so he is still learning to play the run. But he is a strong wrap-up tackler, which I like.

I agree with taking a DE if the Bears haven't already done so to this point in the draft, but there are others I like better, or just as much, such as the aforementioned Bradham, Jake Bequette and Cam Johnson.

Verdict: SELL!

4th Round: Landon Walker, OT, Clemson

With the 111th pick in the draft, Drafttek has the Bears selecting Walker out of Clemson. Personally, I have Walker as a fifth-round pick, so I feel this may be a stretch.

My issue is that I don't know if Walker can make it in the pros on the left side. And the Bears already have Gabe Carimi on the right.

But Walker is an interesting pick, and if he can protect Jay Cutler eventually, I like the pick. I would prefer Nate Potter of Boise State, though the computer simulation has him going a bit earlier in the round.

Walker seems to be moving up in the draft, and I'm sure Drafttek picking him this early won't hurt his chances. If he can play left tackle in the NFL, I'm all for it. 

Verdict: BUY!

5th Round: Marcus Forston, DT, Miami (Fl.)

This late in the draft (No. 142), it's challenging to find the right mix of best player on the board while fulfilling positional need, but I just don't think I would take a DT in this draft.

Instead, I really like Keenan Robinson (Texas) with this pick. The computer has him going to the Cowboys just two picks after Chicago's selection.

The junior Forston has performed well when healthy but has had trouble staying on the field. After some of the Bears' experiences with injured players, I would stay away from those challenges if I can.

Verdict: SELL!

6th Round: Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State

By the time the 173rd pick is taken, the Bears will be looking for a warm body that can play. I don't dislike Hillman; it's just I personally didn't want to take a back with any of the Bears' picks in this year's draft.

Running backs, especially late in the draft, can be found as free agents, and it really isn't a need for Chicago at this point.

I would instead look for a cornerback, if one wasn't already taken (such as North Carolina's Charles Brown or Iowa's Shaun Prater if he falls), an offensive lineman (such as Ryan Miller of Colorado), a WR (like Jenkins of Illinois) or a linebacker (such as California's Mychal Kendricks or Pitt's Brandon Lindsey).

Another route I'd prefer is to go for that tight end, like the computer is suggesting. But instead of using a second-round pick, take a kid like Ladarius Green of Louisiana-Lafayette, a 6'6" TE.

Verdict: SELL! 

7th Round: Brandon Bolden, RB, Mississippi

Look, it's the 204th pick, so I won't begrudge the computer here, but another running back? Yes, they tend to make good gunners on special teams, so that may be part of the thinking, but still, I don't know about this one.

It's starting to concern me that I disagree with the simulation so much, but I have to sell this pick. Bolden, according to his Ole Miss bio, "finished his career ranked second in school history in both total TDs scored (33) and rushing TDs (27), third in all-purpose yards (3,681) and fourth in rushing yards (2,604)."

His best game was against Auburn when he rushed 13 times for 114 yards and two TDs. 

Personally, I'd rather take a chance on a left tackle like Dennis Kelly from Purdue, a 6'8" tackle who, with added muscle mass and size, could be a great sleeper candidate.

Verdict: SELL!