NFL Draft 2011: Worst Case Draft Scenarios for the Chicago Bears

Most everyone who watched Bears QB Jay Cutler get his brains bashed in last season would agree that the offensive line is the biggest area of need for Chicago in the draft. But what if their player(s) of choice are not available when they select at 29 in the first round?

As I've written before, the team could decide to go with a defensive tackle but, here again, what if the best of those players are also gone? What do they do?

Fearing the worst is a routine for Chicago sports fans, so let's take a look at the draft and see what the worst case scenarios may be for the Bears.

Worst Case First Round: Offensive Tackle

So, imagine that by the time the Bears draft at 29 in the first round, all of the linemen projected as first rounders are gone. Yes, that's right, Tyron Smith, Gabe Carimi, Nate Solder, Anthony Castonzo and Derek Sherrod—all off the board.

Do the Bears go for the next best O-lineman and draft for need? Or do they draft the best player?

I say that drafting for need is not the smart way to go. Taking the best player available, regardless of position, makes a much better decision and helps to avoid potential draft busts.

But if the Bears still decide to take an O-lineman, here are the next best ones who would be available no matter what in the first round:   

Benjamin Ijalana: OT, Villanova

Analysis: Plays too high but has quick feet and adequate size. Ijalana has a nasty streak and plays with an edginess. Conditioning is a concern as he appears to wear down as the game goes along. Better at pass protection than run blocking. 

Marcus Gilbert: OT, Florida

Analysis: We know that the Bears like drafting Florida players. Gilbert has long arms and flashes a mean streak though he doesn't have that killer instinct. Still, he would be a good zone blocker as he moves well laterally and has good feet.

Worst Case First Round: Defensive Tackle

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27. (Pho

Defensive tackle is certainly another area of need for the Bears but there are two reasons that most scouts and fans would rank OT as the more critical first round choice: 1) They need to protect Jay Cutler better and 2) The draft is deeper in DTs so they could conceivably wait until the second round to go that route.

If the Bears don't like the OTs on the board when they pick at 29, or if Jerry Angelo is simply more comfortable drafting defense in the first round, the concern is who will be there when their number comes up?

Sure, it's easy to envision the team taking Corey Liuget of Illinois, but he could be off the board. Assuming that's true, and, of course, Marcell Dareus and Nick Fairley are long gone, who else may be available?

Phil Taylor: DT, Baylor

Analysis: Taylor is huge, with a thick lower body and massive frame. He has had some off the field incidents, so his character may be in question. Is strong against the run and has a good initial bull rush. 

Stephen Paea: DT, Oregon State

Analysis: Paea is excellent against the run, with great natural strength and solid lower body positioning. Does not project as an above average pass rusher, though he is strong with solid leverage.

What If No O-Line or D-Line Players Are Worthy?

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators hugs teammate Mike Pouncey #55 after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This is an unlikely issue, simply because the draft is fairly deep in OT, and is very deep in DT. However, since we're discussing worst case scenarios, what would the Bears' choices come down to in that situation?

Well, the Bears could decide to draft a center. They will need one, and even if they re-sign Olin Kreutz, he will likely be only a one year player, so this is a very real need.

The best center on the board, by far, is:

Mike Pouncey: C, Florida

Analysis: Again, we know the Bears like to draft kids out of Florida and Pouncey would be the heir apparent to Kreutz. He is a leader who is well respected and liked by coaches and teammates, so his intangibles are off the charts.

He has great instincts, and good strength. Can be nasty and plays hard. The only negative on Pouncey is that he can get rocked back by strong bull rushers.

Round Two Worst Case Scenario: Safety

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Quinton Carter #12 of Oklahoma works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The best case scenario for the Bears would be that a guy they like at OT is available and they pick him in the first round, then follow up by taking a good DT in the second round.

However, if there are no OTs or DTs they like in the second round, the Bears just might take a safety. After all, they have taken a safety in the first three rounds quite a bit in Angelo's tenure.

Rahim Moore of UCLA may be gone by the second pick, especially since we're talking worst case. There is a steep drop-off after Moore, so who could be left standing for the Bears?

Quinton Carter: S, Oklahoma

Analysis: Carter has adequate height but lacks bulk. He does have above average speed, and makes plays. He is not a great open field tackler, but can deliver a punishing hit.

Ahmad Black: S, Florida

Analysis: Black is from Florida, and as I've mentioned repeatedly, that is a plus as far as the Bears are concerned. But he lacks ideal size for the position. Yet he reads the QB well and excels in field awareness. He is a very good athlete with good speed.

Round Three Worst Case Scenario: WR

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson #86 South Team scores a touchdwon against the North Team during the second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gar

The Bears do not seem to believe that the wideout position is an area of need, but they should take one somewhere in this draft, so why not in the third round?

The most likely scenario involves the Bears taking an OT and DT (in either order) in the first two rounds and a safety in round three. But given our scenario where the Bears took a safety in round two, let's see what receivers could be available in round three for the Bears.

AJ Green and Julio Jones are the obvious first round picks and by far the best in the draft at their positions. Likewise, Randall Cobb and Tandon Doss will be gone before the third round.

Just to make this even harder, I will assume that Torrey Smith, Titus Young, Jonathan Baldwin and Greg Little are scooped up by the time the Bears pick in round three.

Leonard Hankerson: WR, Miami

Analysis: Hankerson has good height with adequate speed, though his speed takes awhile to get into top gear with his long legs. He does drop too many passes though he is tough and will go up the middle.

Jerrel Jernigan: WR, Troy

Analysis: Short with with very good speed. He's not afraid to go over the middle, though he tends to "jake it" a bit when he's not the primary option.

Round Four Worst Case: Cornerback

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Portrait of Shareece Wright #24 of the USC Trojans during warm up before the game against the California Golden Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Gett

The Bears are likely to want a corner in this draft, so what would be the worst case scenario by the time they draft in round four?

Assuming the top 15 or so CBs are all taken by then, the Bears may have slim pickings by this time, yet since this is worst case, they forge ahead anyway. Remember, the Bears draft well in the third, fourth and fifth rounds.

Shareece Wright: CB, USC

Analysis: A bit smaller than average, but plays bigger. He could become a good bump and run corner, as he has athleticism to develop. Strong and mean, Wright may not be a good tackler but he can run one-on-one with most wideouts.

Jalil Brown: CB, Colorado

Analysis: Brown is a decent tackler who has good size but lacks solid recognition skills. As a result, he tends to get caught out of position at times. But he is mentally tough.