Chicago Bears Mock Draft: How Their 7 Rounds Will Shape Up in 2012

In their first draft without Jerry Angelo, the Bears look to improve on their promising 2011 (at least until Week 10) season with a strong draft by new general manager Phil Emery.

In free agency, Emery was able to fill a few of the key offensive holes, which has left the 2012 draft primed to instill youth into the aging defense.

Given the seven picks the Bears have this year, this is how I see the Bears drafting to fill key holes on the defense and some on offense.

Round 1: Jonathan Martin

Jonathan Martin has the potential to solidify the offensive line for years to come.

In the first round of the draft, I see the Bears snatching up Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin.  

Jonathan Martin was a big reason why Andrew Luck was sacked a mere 24 times during three seasons at Stanford and having him will enable the Bears to have two young, capable bookend tackles for years.   

Round 2: Vinny Curry

Vinny Curry has the potential to be a beast in the NFL.

After addressing the final gaping hole in the offense, the Bears begin to look at improving the defense by selecting defensive end Vinny Curry from Marshall.

In his senior year at Marshall, Curry displayed his pass rushing abilities, high motor and ability to play until the whistle by amassing 11 sacks and 74 tackles.  

With the Bears drafting Curry, they are adding someone to take the pressure off Julius Peppers being double- or triple-teamed.

Round 3: Casey Hayward

Casey Hayward could give us that star cornerback opposite Charles Tillman.

Prior to the signing of Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite, I was preaching that the Bears should look into drafting Dre Kirkpatrick in the first round.  

With the added depth in Wilhite and Hayden, the cornerback position becomes less of a priority, but competition and youth should still be added at the position.

Hayward has excellent speed and sound tackling, giving him the tools needed to excel in the Bears' defensive scheme.

Round 4: Keenan Robinson

In the fourth round, I am hopeful that Keenan Robinson is available to the Bears.

At 6'3 and 242 pounds, Robinson has excellent size and would provide a young talent at the linebacker position. He could also become hopeful successor to either Urlacher or Briggs, who aren't getting any younger.

Round 5: Marvin McNutt

After three picks in a row to solidify the defense, the Bears look to add depth in the wide receiver department.  

It's not ensured that Johnny Knox will be ready to suit up come Week 1, and because of that, the Bears needs to look to add depth.

McNutt has ideal size at 6'3, 216 pounds, giving Jay Cutler another big target opposite Brandon Marshall.

Additionally, it would be excellent to see Brandon Marshall mentor this young prospect, as opposed to letting Darryl Drake ruin another draft pick.

Round 6: DaJohn Harris

At this point in the draft the Bears will be looking to fill holes at skilled positions, and with the loss of Anthony Adams and Amobi Okoye, the defensive tackle position is a little light.

DaJohn Harris had a respectable senior year in a tough division (3.5 SCK, 5.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 REC), making him a player the Bears could develop over time.

Round 7: Mike Daniels

In the seventh round, there aren't many prospects that pop out, and given how deep the draft is at defensive tackle, we're going to look there for a quality pick.

Mike Daniels has the speed and size needed to develop into a three-technique defensive tackle, and if anyone can help him do that, it's Marinelli.