6 2015 NFL Draft Picks Who Could Be Opening-Game Starters for Chicago Bears
The NFL draft is set to begin in a little more than two weeks, and the Chicago Bears—like all NFL teams—will be looking for players who can be starters come Week 1 of the 2015 season.
Most first-round picks are selected with the expectation that they will be immediate starters, but many second- and third-round selections can also earn starting roles during offseason minicamps, training camp and the preseason.
General manager Ryan Pace has added a lot of new faces to Chicago's roster in free agency, but in order to have sustained success, he is going to need to find starters in this year's draft.
Here are six 2015 NFL draft picks who could crack the starting lineup for this year's Chicago Bears.
Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
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The guard position is not one of Chicago's biggest needs this offseason, but it may be too difficult to pass up Iowa's Brandon Scherff in the first round.
He spent his career at Iowa playing tackle, but many believe he projects better inside at guard, including NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.
"Like former Hawkeye Riley Reiff, Scherff has measurables and traits to play tackle in the league but might be better suited to play guard," wrote Zierlein.
He measured in at 6'5" and 319 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and ran an impressive 5.05-second 40-yard dash, which was the fourth-fastest time among all offensive linemen.
The Bears already have a Pro Bowl guard in Kyle Long, but his skill set may translate better on the outside at tackle. It is not known whether the Bears have asked Long to move to the outside this offseason, but Pace did acknowledge Long possesses the athleticism to play tackle.
"He’s very athletic and he’s very well-rounded," Pace said at the combine about Long, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. "I think he can play multiple positions on the offensive line."
If the Bears opt to move Long to the outside, Scherff would be a solid addition to Chicago's offensive line.
He has a strong upper body, possesses the speed and quickness to get to the second level and he is one of the more technically sound linemen in this year's draft. He does rely a bit too much on his upper body strength and will need to better utilize his lower body, but CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler and Rob Rang compared Scherff to 2014 first-round pick Zack Martin.
"Scherff is athletic enough to remain outside at tackle but his build and physicality could be even more effective inside at guard," they wrote. "Regardless of where along the offensive line his NFL team asks him to play, Scherff boasts the talent and toughness to stand out immediately."
Regardless of whether the Bears view Scherff as a tackle or guard, he has the ability to step in and become an instant starter for Chicago in 2015.
Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
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While Clemson edge-rusher Vic Beasley could be an option for the Bears with the seventh overall pick, his former teammate could also be an option for the team in the second round.
In four years at Clemson, inside linebacker Stephone Anthony registered 255 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three interceptions and forced six fumbles. He measured in at the combine at 6'3" and 243 pounds, and his 4.56 40-yard dash was the third fastest among all linebackers.
He is an athletic, rangy inside linebacker who plays well laterally but also has the ability to attack downhill. He impressed many at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, including NFL Media analyst Charles Davis.
"He caught my eye with his ability to run; then he caught my eye with his ability to hit," Davis said on the NFL Network in January, via Mike Huguenin of NFL.com. "He's a big-time player. Not many people around the country know enough about him. They're gonna learn quickly about him. He's a heck of a player."
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller compared Anthony to 11-year NFL veteran Karlos Dansby, tweeting:
"Gave Stephone Anthony a Karlos Dansby comparison from an athletic standpoint. Anthony could play ILB in a 3-4 and is above avg in coverage
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 16, 2015"
He struggles with shedding blockers and needs to refine his coverage skills, but he has a lot of upside and could end up being a steal for the Bears in the second round.
The team added veteran linebacker Mason Foster in free agency and have Jon Bostic, Christian Jones, Khaseem Greene and Shea McClellin already on the roster, but at least one of the starting inside linebacker positions appears to be wide-open.
Given his experience and past success, Foster will likely be one of the team's starting inside linebackers, but if the Bears select Anthony, he has as good a shot as any to start the season opener alongside Foster because of his athleticism and high upside.
Landon Collins, S, Alabama
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The Bears added veteran free safety Antrel Rolle in free agency this offseason, and they could potentially draft Alabama strong safety Landon Collins to anchor their secondary for years to come.
Collins is undoubtedly the best safety in this year's draft, but he may be a bit of a reach for the Bears with the seventh overall pick. If they decide they want to trade back and are able to find a willing trade partner, Collins would be a great choice in the later half of the first round.
He registered 190 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and five interceptions in four seasons at Alabama, and he is at his best when asked to play up in the box against the run.
He measured in at 6'0" and 228 pounds at the combine, and his 4.53 40-yard dash was the fourth fastest among all safeties.
"Collins always made a play when they needed him," an NFL scout told Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen. "He's shown enough range in college and has some 'thump' to him. Good ball skills, can play half field and he's a good blitzer."
There are some concerns about his ability in pass coverage, but he spent part of the 2013 season playing free safety, and he thinks that experience will help him in the NFL.
"Just knowing both positions and being so versatile will help me," Collins said, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke. "Knowing I can drop in the back whenever and be up close if they need me to."
Brugler and Rang like what Collins can bring to the secondary, but they feel he will need more complementary pieces around him in order to succeed.
"If allowed to attack, Collins' aggression, physicality and knack for creating big plays could lead to him becoming a star in the NFL," Brugler and Rang wrote. "He isn't a top-notch cover safety, however, and therefore should be complemented with other speedier options in the secondary."
Despite some of his flaws in pass coverage, he has the ability to be a tone-setter on defense and would have no problem beating out veteran Ryan Mundy and second-year man Brock Vereen in training camp this summer for the starting strong safety position.
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Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
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After trading Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets earlier this offseason, Pace and the Bears signed veteran Eddie Royal to help add depth and experience to Chicago's wide receiver corps. Even with Alshon Jeffery and Royal on the roster, the Bears need more playmakers at the position.
While West Virginia's Kevin White or Alabama's Amari Cooper could be an option for the Bears in the first round, USC's Nelson Agholor could be an intriguing choice in the second round.
Agholor hauled in 56 catches for 918 yards and six touchdowns in 2013 before registering 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014.
He is a good route-runner, has above-average speed (ran a 4.42 40-yard dash) and has the ability to pick up yards after the catch because of his athleticism and shiftiness. He measured in at 6'0" and 198 pounds at the combine and will need to add more weight in order to be considered an every-down receiver.
He was an All-American running back in high school, and CBSChicago.com's Dan Durkin discussed how Agholor's experience at running back helps him in the passing game, writing:
"Agholor’s running back past translates well to his after-the-catch abilities. He’s a decisive open field runner who has excellent vision to separate and turn short passes into longer gains. Agholor’s a smooth runner who displays excellent balance and coordinated feet to set up defenders and get into and out of his breaks without sacrificing speed. He’s able to get back up to his highest gear in a matter of two steps. His double moves on posts and corner routes were crisp and frequently left cornerbacks steps behind him.
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He has the ability to line up in the slot, but his skills may translate better on the outside. If the Bears were to draft him in the second round, he would give Chicago a wide receiver with the ability to stretch the field, and he would help take some of the burden off Jeffery in the passing game.
Xavier Cooper, DL, Washington State
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The Bears are making the switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense in 2015, and they have plenty of needs along the defensive line.
They added defensive linemen Ray McDonald and Jarvis Jenkins in free agency to compete with Jeremiah Ratliff, Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton for playing time in 2015, but they could add a potential opening-game starter if they draft Washington State defensive lineman Xavier Cooper.
Cooper spent much of his career at Washington State as a defensive tackle, but he has the size (6'3", 293 lbs) to play the 5-technique defensive end position in a 3-4 defense. He ran a 4.86 40-yard dash at the combine, and he was pleased with his performance.
“That was an opportunity for me to compete and show people what I can do,” Cooper said of his combine performance, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. “That I’m bar none one of the most athletic guys at my position. That’s all I wanted to do. Showcase my ability.”
He is athletic and quick but also plays with a solid base and can penetrate gaps with both his speed and strength. He has a good first step and uses his hands well, but he plays a bit too tall at times and does not always attack with the best technique.
Despite his flaws, he has a lot of upside and would give Chicago some much-needed depth at defensive end. He will probably be a second- or third-round pick in this year's draft, so expectations will not be high, but if he can improve his technique, he could end up beating out Jenkins or even McDonald for one of the two starting 5-technique spots in 2015.
Randy Gregory, Edge-Rusher, Nebraska
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Nebraska edge-rusher Randy Gregory's stock has likely dropped this offseason after admitting to testing positive for marijuana at the combine back in February, according to Kimberly Jones of NFL.com.
"I blame myself," Gregory told Jones. "And I know it sounds cliche, but there's really no one else I can blame."
Despite his positive drug test, Gregory is still one of the best pass-rushers in this year's draft. In two seasons at Nebraska, he registered 25.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks, and The MMQB's Greg A. Bedard recently compared Gregory to 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, writing:
"In many ways Gregory is a superior athlete to 2014 first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, who was widely considered a once-in-a-generation athletic freak. The fact that Clowney did what he did at 266 pounds might have something to do with that, and maybe he will be a dominating interior rusher due to his power once he gets healthy, which is fine. But when it comes to being an edge rusher, Gregory has more tools at his disposal. Not only does the film show that, but physical testing does as well.
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He measured in at 6'5" and 235 pounds at the combine and ran a 4.64 40-yard dash. He is explosive off the ball, has a relentless motor and does a nice job of getting his hands up to bat down passes when he is unable to get to the quarterback. He needs to get stronger—he only bench-pressed 225 pounds 24 times at the combine—but he has the ability to make an immediate impact from Day 1 as an edge-rusher.
The Bears spent big money on outside linebacker Pernell McPhee in free agency and have a lot of players on the roster who can rush the quarterback from the outside linebacker position, but Gregory has the potential to develop into one of the best young edge-rushers in the league.
If he is still available and the Bears take him with the seventh overall pick, he would immediately become the second-best edge-rusher on the team next to McPhee, and he would likely be one of the team's starters at outside linebacker in Week 1.
Statistical information courtesy of Sports-Reference.com. Combine numbers and measurables courtesy of NFL.com.
Matt Eurich is a Chicago Bears Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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