2012 NFL Draft: Five Areas of Immediate Need for the Chicago Bears

We’re still over a month away from the NFL Draft, but the level of excitement surrounding the Chicago Bears couldn't be higher.  Thanks to some bold moves and wise re-signings by the organization, fans are in an unusually euphoric state.

New GM Phil Emery, on the first day of free agency, acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall.  With him, the Bears have finally provided the offense and their supporters with the elite receiver they have been clamoring for.  Hopefully, the dust settles involving Marshall’s recent allegations so he can get in-sync with Jay Cutler and the offense. 

Speaking of the soon-to-be-Mr. Cavallari, obtaining a solid backup for him was also a high priority and Emery was quick to sign Jason Campbell a few hours after reeling in “the big fish” that is Marshall.  This is going to take some time to get used to, but now the Bears have a competent backup quarterback. Campbell could easily start for a handful of NFL teams this season – I’m looking at you Dolphins, Browns, Jaguars, and Vikings.

Emery struck again yesterday as he signed former Raiders running back Michael Bush to a four-year $14 million deal.  While this is a great move and will make Marion Barber expendable, fellow all-Pro running back Matt Forte - who was franchised for 2012 - is understandably upset that his big pay day has yet to come. 

With the notable free agents finding new homes and the NFL Draft looming, fans can debate/argue whom the organization should draft to pass the time.  Here are five key positions and the players that the Bears brass should focus on.

Defensive Line Must Step Up

Aside from Julius Peppers, no one on the current roster is going to scare opposing offensive linemen. The Bears' current defensive tackles include Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina, and Stephen Paea.  Melton has shown the most potential so far and — believe it or not — he was a running back for the University of Texas.  He now weighs 295 lbs.  I'd say he made a good position switch. 

Re-signing defensive end Israel Idonije to a one-year tells me that the coaches are trying to encourage him.  Translation: he only needs to pack an overnight bag, don't bother moving in yet.  He had half as many sacks last year (four) as he did in 2010 but Idonije has the ability to shine while offenses key in on Peppers. 

With the lack of additional play-makers on the defensive front, Chicago would be wise to select a defensive tackle or a defensive end with their first pick.  Fletcher Cox from Mississippi State is exactly the type of disruptive force (see video) the Bears lack on the defensive line and can be a game-changing starter immediately.  Defensive ends Andre Branch from Clemson or Whitney Mercilus from Illinois would also be good choices.  One of them is likely to be on the board still with the 19^th pick should Cox be already taken.

Offensive Line Is Still a Work in Progress

The last two years of offensive line “musical chairs” – due to injuries, benchings and sacks given up – has often been ugly, but this group is resilient and able to be coached.

Gabe Carimi will be back from a season-ending injury, Chris Williams should continue to improve, and Roberto Garza returns as the veteran leader. Edwin Williams was re-signed last year and Chris Spencer will be in the mix at guard, as well.  Frank Omiyale was released – sorry Frank, it was a long time coming – but J'Marcus Webb was retained.  Webb excels in false-start penalties and is often beaten off-the-snap of the ball.  Needless to say, there’s a tremendous amount of room for improvement.

Providing Jay Cutler (sacked 110 times in 40 starts with Chicago) with another young lineman will do wonders for his health and psyche.  Also, the sky is blue. 

Expect Chicago to upgrade the tackle position early on.  Stanford’s Jonathan Martin would be a safe first round choice, even though he had an unimpressive pro day yesterday.  Martin was a 2010 All-American according to Scout.com and blocked for Andrew Luck, so he’s used to keeping his QB upright.  Ohio State’s Mike Adams is a great pass blocker who could be available still in the second round.  Also, BYU’s Matt Reynolds might be a good value pick in the later rounds if the Bears choose to address this position later.  Perhaps, they will stock up on linemen, I'm sure no one will complain.

The offensive line upgrade should cut down on the sacks, interceptions and injuries for years to come – something Cutler and Bears fans can get used to. 

New Blood at Linebacker

Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs have been to 15 Pro Bowls combined and had terrific careers, but at 33 and 31-years old respectively, it is time to think about the team's next generation of great players.

Inside linebacker Vontaze Burfict is an excellent tackler, but he has clashed with teammates and coaches at Arizona State.  In addition to his maturity issues, his stock dropped at the NFL Combine when he ran the slowest 40-yard dash for all linebackers at 5.09 seconds.  Under defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and linebackers' coach Bob Babich, Burfict can be groomed into a stand-out athlete and individual.  Studying two of the greatest linebackers of their generation in Urlacher and Briggs can't hurt him either.

As for an outside linebacker, several members of the Bears' coaching staff visited Texas’ pro day and one of the players they wanted a closer look at was Keenan Robinson.  The more I read about Robinson, the more I’m smitten with him.  He has decent speed; can pursue ball carriers; drops into coverage and plays with a nasty edge – sometimes drawing personal fouls.  He also came back to play his senior year in 2011, but more importantly, to earn his bachelor's degree.  I’m all in. 

Defensive Backs Wanted

Cornerback Charles Tillman made his overdue appearance in the Pro Bowl last year and is the face of the Bears' last line of defense.  Re-signing both cornerback Tim Jennings (the best tackling 180-lb cornerback in the NFL) and safety Craig Steltz were wise moves.  Safeties Major Wright and Chris Conte have extensive playing time, but are liabilities in coverage.

Even with all of the names mentioned, the secondary lacks depth, youth, and size.  They have also been brutal against the pass in recent years.  NFL.com ranked the Bears' defense 28^th in the league for passing yards allowed per game in 2011.  Who can the Bears pick up in order to turn this trend around? 

A contender for cornerback could be Josh Norman.  Although with his stock rising, he might not make it past the fourth round.  Dane Brugler at NFLDraftScout.com saw him practice for the East-West Shrine Game and had this to say:

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“Norman turned heads every day in practice with his quick feet, closing burst and natural ball skills. He looks natural in reverse with good hip action and body flexibility. Norman intimidated physically with imposing size for the position at 6-0, 203 pounds with 32” arms, showing safety size with cornerback skills.”

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At safety, I’d love for Chicago to go after Eddie Whitley from my alma mater, Virginia Tech.  Whitley was a 2011 second-team All-ACC selection.  He is versatile and could play cornerback, strong and/or free safety. 

I don’t think the Bears will be able to grab both Norman and Whitley, but I put the greater need at cornerback and would grab the former if I had to choose.   

Not Content at Wide Receiver

Signing kick returner/wide receiver Eric Weems from the Falcons will allow coaches to continue "experimenting" with Devin Hester at receiver for the sixth season in-a-row, much to the chagrin of Bears fans.  Unless they can pull off a fake punt like this, I see Weems as more of a sidekick.  It is no secret that Hester is the best kick/punt returner in the game – most likely of all time – yet he is the fourth best receiver now after Brandon Marshall, Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox when healthy.  

Chicago has not had a Pro Bowl wide receiver since Marty Booker in 2002.  Seriously.  Hopefully, that will change with the addition of Marshall.  He will open up the passing attack and the running game to the likes of which may have never been seen before – at least not simultaneously. 

Even though Cutler will have a variety of wide receivers to throw to, the Bears should continue their aggressive ways and add at least one more.  Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill might be available in the first round, but Chicago would be better off focusing on the offensive or defensive line early on. 

A player like Rishard Matthews might be a diamond in the rough who will be available in the later rounds.  Matthews shined in only two years at the University of Nevada.  This past season he hauled in 91 passes for 1364 yards, the eighth highest among FBS (Div-1A for the old fashioned) receivers.  He also was first-team All-WAC, and an honorable mention for All-American.  The sky is the limit for this kid and I hope the Bears have the opportunity to select him once the other positions are accounted for.