7 NFL Draft Candidates the Chicago Bears Should Be Looking at for 2012

Looking at next year's prospects can be interesting and difficult. It's hard to tell where a lot of these players will fall in a couple of weeks, much less in a couple of months after Pro Days and the Combine.

Today we're going to look at players the Bears should be targeting in the early rounds of the 2012 NFL draft.

I know. The season isn't technically over. But for the Bears, it might as well be. Sure, we want to see the Bears drop a division rival on their heads. But let's face it, the time is now to look forward to next season.

The Bears scouting department has been doing just that since training camp.

While many have a "Chicken Little" attitude about next season after watching the Bears collapse this season, I'm more of an optimist.

Every team i the league has needs, and the Bears are no different. But there isn't a need for any type of wholesale change. The Bears weren't beaten by a lack of talent. They were beaten by injury.

Still, there are positions that can use upgrade, as with any team. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the players the Bears should be targeting for the draft in April.

Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, Wide Receiver

For my money, Floyd is the best all-around receiver in the draft, but off-field issues prior to the 2011 season may drop him into the Bears hands in the mid-first round.

At 6'3" and 220 pounds, Floyd has fantastic size, but his speed is underrated and he is expected to drop a 4.5 40 at the combine.  

His quickness of the line is fierce and his routes are precise, with the combination creating separation from corners a regular occurrence.

But Floyd can deal with close coverage as well and his aggressiveness and body control usually help him come down with the ball. 

Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, Wide Receiver

The 6'4" 235-pound receiving nightmare out of South Carolina could also be the answer to the Bears receiving woes and has a legitimate claim to the title of "Best Receiver in the Draft" himself.

Jeffery is a freakish specimen with power, size and 4.5 speed. He's athletic on the ground and in the air and isn't afraid to fight off a corner or safety.

His biggest knocks are route-running and problems creating separation.

Dwight Jones, North Carolina, Wide Receiver

At 6'4" and 215 pounds, Jones is a large and imposing target to defend. And that's just what the doctor ordered for the Bears.

Jones is more of a possession receiver, but has enough speed to stretch the field. Once the ball is in his hands he is tough to bring to the ground and racks up yards after the catch.

He uses his size and his physicality to fight off defenders in tight spots and usually comes away with the ball.

His routes could improve and he has been known to drop a ball here and there, but his overall skill set is impressive and would be an immediate upgrade for Chicago and could be had in the second round.

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, Defensive End

The 6'4" 265-pound defensive end from Illinois is every bit a vicious as his name suggests.

He has raw speed and is expected to drop a mid-4.6 40 at the combine, but he's also a powerful kid and frequently bull-rushes his way through the line.

Adding to his value in Chicago's takeaway defense is his ability to strip the ball. Mercilus forced nine fumbles in 2011 alone.

Nick Perry, USC, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker

Perry could be monstrous in Chicago's scheme under the tutelage of linebackers coach Bob Babich.

The 6'3" 250-pound underclassmen has high 4.5 speed and stunning quickness. His instincts are good and his tackling fundamentals are fantastic.

He needs to add some strength for the NFL, but this kid has star written all over him. 

Luke Kuechly, Inside Linebacker, Boston College

Not the fastest linebacker in the draft, what Kuechly is missing in speed the 6'3" 240-pound linebacker makes up for in smarts.

Intuitive and instinctual, the best middle linebacker in the draft lives on his football IQ, which is size-able.

His technique is near flawless and might be one of the most NFL ready players in the draft. Additionally, his coverage skills are impressive.

His 4.7 40 range is his only glaring weakness and could drop him into the Bears' lap.

Chase Minnifield, Virginia, Cornerback

At 6'0" and 185 pounds, Minnifield isn't the largest corner in the draft, but he's still pretty good sized, and regardess of his weght, he is as physical as they come.

He's strong in both man and zone coverages and has the speed to keep up in the NFL, running 4.4 40's.

He's also a solid run defender—something that the Bears covet in a corner.

Better yet is that it looks as though Minnifield could be had in the late-second to early-third rounds.

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Step up to the soapbox below and throw your favorite prospects name into the hat or weigh in on those listed here.