2012 NFL Draft: Predicting Full 7-Round Draft for Chicago Bears

On the heels of a disappointing 8-8 season decimated by injuries, the Chicago Bears look to the 2012 NFL Draft with plenty of holes to fill.

After a 7-3 start and riding a five-game winning streak, many analysts pegged the Bears as the team with the best shot of beating the Green Bay Packers in a January game at Lambeau Field.

Unfortunately, about an hour after the Bears had defeated the San Diego Chargers, the news came out that Jay Cutler's right thumb was broken and it would require surgery.

And that was all she wrote.  The Bears finished the season 1-5 in their last six games, winning a meaningless final game against the Minnesota Vikings.  

That win dropped them six spots in this year's draft from the 13th pick all the way down to No. 19—even when they win, they still lose.

Let's take a look at who the Bears will target in the 2012 NFL Draft.  

Round 1, Pick 19: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd 2011 stats:  100 receptions, 1,147 yards, 9 touchdowns

Unfortunately for Bears fans, there is a decent chance that winning a meaningless game at Minnesota in Week 17 will cost them a chance to draft Michael Floyd.

Michael Floyd is a franchise changing wide receiver that will be a No. 1 option from the day he steps foot on to an NFL field.  

Bears fans can only hope the teams drafting before them won't target a wide receiver in the first round, and if they do, maybe they will select Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina) or Kendall Wright (Baylor) before looking at Floyd.  

With former GM Jerry Angelo finally out the door, the Bears can focus on the catching up with the Packers and Lions at the skill positions—a gap they desperately need to close before the start of next season.

Drafting a player like Floyd in the first round would signal a newfound commitment to offense and actually putting up points on the scoreboard—the style of play that wins in the NFL today.  

So cross your fingers Bears fans, if Michael Floyd somehow manages to fall into the Bears' laps at No. 19, maybe the new regime will snatch up that true No. 1 receiver they've so desperately needed for the past decade.  

Round 2, Pick 50: Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska

Lavonte David 2011 stats:  123 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 interceptions

The Bears certainly aren't getting any younger at outside linebacker with Lance Briggs set to turn 32 years old next season.

Unhappy with this current contract and being very vocal about it last year, Briggs is hopeful the Bears will give him a raise next season after being named to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl.   

He once again led the Bears in tackles with 109 and could demand a trade again in 2012.

Lavonte David could replace Briggs at outside linebacker next year or beat out incumbent Nick Roach for the other starting spot alongside middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Round 3, Pick 72: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Doug Martin 2011 Stats:  1,299 yards rushing, (4.9 yards per carry), 18 total touchdowns

The Bears have two third round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft and after watching Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell attempt to replace an injured Matt Forte, let's hope they spend one of the picks on a backup running back.

Similar to Forte, Martin is also a good receiver out of the backfield—he totaled 56 receptions for 593 yards, and four touchdowns over the last two seasons.  

If the Bears are fortunate enough to have a chance at Martin in the early third round, they should pull the trigger on the multidimensional back.

Round 3, Pick 81: Robert Lester, FS, Alabama

Robert Lester 2011 Stats:  35 tackles, 2 interceptions

Along with the offensive line and wide receiver positions, the Bears desperately need to upgrade at the safety position.

Enter Robert Lester, free safety from Alabama.

Lester had 52 tackles and eight interceptions in 2010 before his opponents figured out how to avoid him in 2011.

With Major Wright locked in at strong safety, the Bears really don't have anyone on their current roster worthy of starting at free safety—unless you count Brandon Meriweather or Winston Venable.

The Bears would welcome Lester with open arms as their starting free safety in Week 1 next season.

Round 4, Pick 114: Matt McCants, OT, UAB

Matt McCants (6'7", 295 lbs) is rated as the 10th best offensive tackle prospect by Matt Miller of New Era Scouting.  

McCants, a redshirt senior, has been selected to play in the 2012 Senior Bowl game on January 28th.

The Bears drafted right tackle Gabe Carimi in the first round last year and McCants could legitimately start at left tackle over J'Marcus Webb in 2012.

Round 5, Pick 146: Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College

Donnie Fletcher (6'1", 195 lbs) is the 17th ranked cornerback according to the position rankings at New Era Scouting.  

Fletcher could compete for a starting spot opposite Charles Tillman considering the abysmal play of the Bears' starting left cornerback Tim Jennings. 

Round 6, Pick 178: Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin

Anyone think the Bears could use a backup quarterback behind Jay Cutler?

Wilson is ranked as the 10th best quarterback prospect by New Era Scouting.

Round 7, Pick 210: Chris Rainey, RB, Florida

Chris Rainey (5'8", 175 lbs) runs a 4.36 in the 40, could he be the next Darren Sproles?

Rainey is ranked as the 19th best running back at New Era Scouting.