Chicago Bears Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions

It's time for another mock draft, although we really won't have a good idea of what the Chicago Bears may do until we see who they sign in free agency.

That said, we know what their needs are, and we certainly know which college players fit those needs. Unfortunately, two of the first-round talents I've espoused in the past now seem to be moving up in the draft.

Yes, defensive end Melvin Ingram and wide receiver Michael Floyd both appear to have a good chance of being gone by the time the Bears pick at No. 19 in the first round. But that's alright. There's more where that came from.

In fact, I've found another defensive end for the Bears to take in the first round, and we didn't have to go very far to find him.

Let's take a look at all seven rounds and try to find players who can help the Bears both now and in the future.

First Round: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois (No. 19)

Sometimes you can go home again. The Bulls struck gold when they drafted Derrick Rose, who played at Simeon High School in Chicago, so if the Bears take Whitney Mercilus, perhaps they can be as lucky.

With Melvin Ingram moving up the draft board, many experts now believe he will be taken in the first 10 picks. I really like Ingram, but he will apparently not be available if the pundits are correct.

And my other choice, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, is also moving up the draft charts and may be gone, too. That leaves Mercilus, and I think that will work out well for Chicago.

We all know that Lovie Smith is a defensive-minded coach, so drafting a defensive end will probably sit very well with him. While we don't know which way new general manager Phil Emery leans, we do know that Smith has a lot of say.

Mercilus is a solid pass rusher and would look good lining up opposite Julius Peppers. The only negative is that Mercilus doesn't have a long track record, with only one season of starting experience. 

Still, that one season was pretty damn good. He forces fumbles and gets to the quarterback with reckless abandon. He has also played some three technique but lacks the strength to play inside with the Bears.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. has the Bears taking offensive tackle Mike Adams with their first pick, yet he has had off-field problems and injuries.

Perhaps the most damning thing is that not everyone is sold on his staying at left tackle in the NFL. We don't need another right tackle if Gabe Carimi is healthy. So I prefer Mercilus.

Second Round: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin (No. 50)

If the Bears do not sign a cornerback in free agency, they very well may draft one with this pick. But if they do sign Cortland Finnegan, for example, they should look elsewhere with this pick.

Now, I understand that they are also likely to sign a wideout in free agency—hopefully Vincent Jackson. But the Bears could seriously use a couple of upgrades at the position, which is why I'd say they would still be willing to draft a wide receiver this early.

But I will instead stick to my original plan and take an offensive lineman with this pick. I was hoping that Zeitler would last until the third round, but I don't think that will happen. So the Bears should go for him with this pick.

I know the Bears have depth at the guard position, but there is a difference between quantity and quality. Plus, injuries could make Zeitler a valuable addition to the line.

Zeitler played with Carimi, and a healthy combination of young Wisconsin linemen sure would set the Bears up well for a number of years.

Zeitler is powerful and run blocks extremely well, though he needs to improve in pass protection. The Badgers had a lot of success running behind Zeitler, and he was an essential blocker in opening up holes for star running back Montee Ball.

He is not very athletic, but he can blast defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage and shove them aside to open up their gap.

Third Round: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin (No. 74)

This is another opportunity for the Bears to draft a corner if they haven't signed one as a free agent. But I will assume they will sign one and instead go for a wideout with the first of their two third round selections.

With the 74th pverall pick, I go back to one of my early mocks and have the Bears taking Nick Toon out of Wisconsin. (By the way, if this mock comes true it will mean three Badgers drafted in the first three rounds of the past two drafts combined.)

I like Toon and I don't. What I mean by that is his lineage is exciting—I really like players whose father played in the NFL and Nick's dad, Al, was a three-time Pro Bowl wideout in the NFL.

But his injury history scares me. Coming off a foot injury, Toon looked good at Wisconsin's pro day. He shaved some time off his 40 from the NFL Scouting Combine.  Toon was clocked at 4.43 seconds, and he also improved upon his vertical jump (39") from the combine (37.5) and registered a 10'10" broad jump as well. 

Toon has good size, and had career bests in receptions (64), yards (926), and touchdowns (10) in 2011 in the Badgers' balanced offense.

Third Round: Antonio Allen, SS, South Carolina (No. 80)

Hey, I get my South Carolina player after all, but unfortunately it isn't Melvin Ingram. Still, Antonio Allen can give some needed competition to Major Wright at the strong safety position.

While I like what I've seen so far from Chris Conte at free safety, the jury is still out on Wright. Enter Allen, who has playmaking ability and can run after the interception.

Allen is a hard hitter and was the Gamecocks' leading tackler. And Allen himself has said the Bears like him "a lot," although it may be at linebacker.

He has very long arms, flashed the ability to cover athletic tight ends in college and at the Senior Bowl. His intriguing skill set will lead many to evaluate Allen as a hybrid-type safety with versatility

Fourth Round: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa (No. 111)

Even if the Bears do sign a corner in free agency, they still need depth, especially with Tim Jennings, Zackary Bowman and Corey Graham all free agents.

Prater is only 5'10", but has good quickness and explosiveness. He recorded 46 tackles and was among the national leaders with four forced fumbles.

He also had an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Fifth Round: Audie Cole, LB, N.C. State (No. 142)

The Bears need depth at linebacker, and Audie Cole would be a good addition to the team. He can also contribute on special teams.

This middle linebacker may not be the eventual replacement for Brian Urlacher due to his being such a late-round draft pick, but it is getting time to start thinking along those lines.

North Carolina State’s leading tackler with 108 tackles in 2011, Cole also had 13.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

Prior to being moved inside, Cole played strongside linebacker.

SixTh Round: A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois

Why not draft another player from Illinois, Whitney Mercilus' teammate, A.J. Jenkins. He really emerged in 2011 as a senior, posting team-highs in every receiving category, including a Big Ten-best 84 receptions for 1,196 yards and seven touchdownss.

I am a bit surprised to see sites like CBSSports.com figure Jenkins lasting until the fifth or sixth round, but if he's there, the Bears should jump on him.

Jenkins doesn't have great speed, so he won't be much of a vertical threat, but he is confident and quick, covering lots of ground in the short half of the field.

He has a lanky frame and won't be able to match up well against physical corners in the NFL, but should be a solid underneath option.

Jenkins will likely be a No. 3 receiver, which is a steal this late in the draft.

Seventh Round: Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State

This late in the draft, you just hope you can draft a player with two arms and two legs. So, with the 203rd pick in this year's NFL draft, the Chicago Bears should select Tyrone Crawford from Boise State.

Crawford is 6'4", 285 pounds and led the team with 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2011. His best game was in Week 7 against Colorado State, when he recorded five tackles and two sacks that totaled 14 yards in losses. He also recovered a fumble.