2012 NFL Mock Draft: 6 Players the Chicago Bears Should Target

As this is my first football article since undergoing a quadruple bypass operation, it probably won't surprise you to learn that I have life in perspective now. Those kinds of emergencies tend to do that to a person.

Well, I propose the same for our Chicago Bears—they need to put things in proper perspective too. And that means taking care of the short term (the now) as well as looking forward.

So, it is in that vein that I propose we take a very early look at some of the players the Bears could target in next year's draft. Sure, the ink is not even dry on this year's draft, but it's never too early to start thinking about tomorrow.

The Bears will likely need some help at running back, even if Matt Forte has another solid season in 2011. But they can get that from free agency. Likewise, some guys are getting older on the defensive side of the ball, and in the NFL, players age very quickly, so there will be draft needs on both sides of the ball.

But the main need is at wide receiver, a position they ignored in this year's draft.

So let's pull out the crystal ball and see who might help the Bears in 2012. 

Ryan Broyles, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty I

Using the current 2012 Super Bowl odds as our guide, we have the Bears picking at No. 22 in the first round of the draft. After ignoring the position this year, they simply must take the best wideout available.

No matter what happens with Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox in 2011, the Bears need to address the possession position at wide receiver, and with Broyles, they get the job done.

Broyles decided to return for his senior season at Oklahoma, which bodes well for his decision-making. An obviously smart kid who wants to win a national championship, he put that above his own best interests in terms of dollars.

Broyles was a consensus All-American wide receiver this season, leading the nation with 131 receptions and gaining 1,622 yards with 14 touchdowns. Through three seasons, Broyles has 266 catches for 3,429 yards and 36 touchdowns

If he gets 51 catches this year he will break the NCAA career record of 316, set by Purdue's Taylor Stubblefield.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 16: Damion Dixon #14 of the McNeese State Cowboys catches a touchdown pass over Morris Claiborne #17 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Grayt

With their second round pick, the Bears also address a need they ignored in the 2011 draft, and that is the cornerback position. Even if Charles Tillman has another solid season, they really don't have the depth of legitimate starting corners that you need in today's NFL.

Claiborne would be a solid value pick here and someone to help cover those outstanding Green Bay Packers wide receivers.

He has ideal size for the position with decent speed and good hands. Unless Tim Jennings proves to be the answer, the Bears will desperately be targeting the corner position as an area of need in 2012.

Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State

The Bears took a good one in Gabe Carimi in the first round of this year's draft, but find that he is better suited on the right side. Therefore, they go back to the well and find a pick who can protect Jay Cutler's blind side with this value pick in Round 3 of the 2012 draft.

Adcock is huge and as tough as they come. In 2011, the Cowboys ranked 10th in the nation in sacks allowed in large part due to this, well, large part.

Photo: www.okstate.com

Chris Marve, ILB, Vanderbilt

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 31: Chris Marve #13 of the Vanderbilt Commodores tackles Montel Harris #41 of the Boston College Eagles during the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at LP Field on December 31, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

The Bears need linebackers, as the depth at the position wanes and guys get older. Enter Marve, who is expected to be a late third-round pick but who falls to the Bears in Round 4 due to injury concerns.

Marve is quick and productive and can play on special teams as a gunner.

He collected 153 tackles, 124 solos, 13 tackles for losses, four sacks, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception for a 75-yard touchdown as a junior.

Etienne Sabino, OLB, Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 12: Linebacker Etienne Sabino #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after stopping C.J. Gable #2 of the USC Trojans (not pictured) during the first quarter of the game at Ohio Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (

Another pick, another linebacker for the Bears. He has ideal size for an outside lineman, and he sheds blocks well and is very aggressive.

Sabino is a very physical player who could use some improvement in pass coverage. But he fights through plays and is a sound, wrap-up tackler who occasionally makes the big hit.

Joe Pawlak, OG, Northern Illinois

The Bears need to continue to focus on protecting their most valuable offensive asset, their QB. Pawlak is a big right guard on a Northern Illinois offense that did well in run-blocking.

The Huskies are also the best in the league at preventing QB sacks and Pawlak has been a part of that as well. He is a big man, country strong. He is a weight room warrior.

Photo: www.niuhuskies.com