2012 NFL Mock Draft: Dream 7-Round Scenarios for the Chicago Bears

Looking forward to April is always fun.  Scouring through scouting reports while trying to make educated guesses at to what a yet to be hired general manager will do in free agency so you can accurately define team needs going into the draft is a little less fun.  But it is intriguing.

The Bears offense, now with Mike Tice at the helm, is getting more of a tweaking than it is a total schematic change.  So the majority of the offense will still fit into the system.

But some of those pieces didn't perform well.  Do the Bears bring back Roy Williams?  Is Johnny Knox ready to perform as early as training camp? (This could have a lot to do with whether the Bears bring back Williams.)  Does Barber return or did Kahlil Bell do enough to give the front office the confidence in him to move on from Barber?

And how do all of these things, as well as the shortcomings of a somewhat aging defense, affect the draft in April?

What areas do—or can, for that matter—the Bears address in free agency?  This will affect how the Bears approach the draft, too.

With all of that considered, let's take a look at what might be the dream scenario for the Bears come time for the NFL Draft.

Note: This isn't a "Dream Scanario" in the mold of eight first-round prospects falling to the Bears eight draft picks.  It's what, given the current pre-combine collective opinions of prospects, would be both an ideal and yet realistic scenario for how the draft picks fell.

1st Round: 19th Selection

Whitney Mercilus: Defensive End - Illinois

The more I see of Mercilus, the more I like him.  The 6'4" and 265-pound defensive end could be the heir to Julius Peppers.

He can finesse his way into the backfield with his speed and agility or he can bull-rush though tackles with his strength.  He defends the run well and fits the takeaway mentality in Chicago with nine forced fumbles in 2011 alone.

In a less deep year, Mercilus could have been a Top Five pick, but with the incredible depth at defensive end in this draft, the Bears could end up with him on the board when their clock starts to tick.

The defensive end position is the most glaring need this defense has, and Mercilus would be an ideal pick for the Bears.

2nd Round: 18th Selection

Dwight Jones: Wide Receiver - North Carolina

Some will say that the Bears should have reached for a higher graded selection in the first round, but I disagree completely.  While the 6'4" 215-pound Jones is a bit more raw than those more polished prospects, he may have more upside than those who will go in the late first round.

He's big and strong with great hands and a fearless heart over the middle.  Jones is raw but loaded with potential and has experience in a pro-style offense, having played at North Carolina.

There will be some bigger names available in the first round, but the Bears would be making a better choice in waiting for Jones in the second.

Partially because.....

3rd Round: 9th and 17th Selections

Brandon Marshall: Trade with Miami for the Bears two third-round selections

The Bears should, and very well could, bring in Brandon Marshall to Chicago. Both he and Jay Cutler have made a desire to be reunited public, and the Bears would do well to listen.

Marshall would be worth two third rounders for Chicago and Miami is in the rebuilding process, so the two picks would certainly help.  The Ravens trade a second and a third to the Cardinals two years ago for Anquan Boldin's services.  Marshall is coming off of two years in Miami that are very similar to Boldin's final two years in Arizona before the trade, so the two third-rounders is a very likely value that the teams could agree on.

A guy like Michael Floyd in the first might be a great add.  But Marshall already is in tune with Cutler and has had his greatest success when catching Cutty's lasers.

Teamed with the second round selection of Dwight Jones, the Bears would have two fantastic receiving options with Knox, Bennett and Hester providing support.

4th Round: 16th Selection

Harrison Smith: Strong Safety - Notre Dame

The Bears like playmakers.  Smith fits the bill to a tee.  

Smith is a solid defender in the box who has pretty decent zone coverage skills and a nose for the football.  His 0.54 interceptions per game ranks fourth among all players from the 120 FBS schools. 

He's a strong tackler and, at 6'2" and 215 pounds, has the size Chicago likes in a safety.  The Bears would probably like a little more speed than his 4.55 40-time, but his production and a late-third/early-fourth round grade would be too much to pass on.

5th Round: 15th Selection

Nate Potter: Offensive Tackle - Boise State

Potter was getting some third round love early, but has been sliding down big boards everywhere due to concerns about his physical ability.  He's been showing up on late-fifth and early-sixth round mocks in recent weeks and there's some speculation that, without a fantastic showing at the combine, he could end up the Ciron Black of the 2012 draft.  Black was thought early to be one of the best tackles in the draft in 2010 prior to the draft, but went undrafted.

Lucky Chicago if he falls the the fifth round.  Potter would be a solid addition who might be the best pass-blocker outside of the first round talent.  His run blocking is adequate, but he's a brick wall in pass protection.

The Bears wouldn't likely let him fall beyond them in the fifth, though you can bet they'd force him to add weight, as 295 pounds isn't tackle weight in Chicago.

6th Round: 14th Selection

Nigel Bradham: Outside Linebacker - Florida State

The Bears need some depth to groom at linebacker.  Bradham, who's seen a recent tumble down Big Boards everywhere would be a nice fit in Chicago.

Bradham is a quick linebacker with good explosiveness, long arms and decent strength.  He also has decent coverage skills.

What's dragging him down boards are his instincts, which need some serious honing.  He also plays high too often, making him appear stiff and allowing him to be beat by misdirections and quick shifts.

It's not an athleticism problem as much as it is a technique issue.  In Chicago, where Bob Babich might be the league's best linebackers coach, this becomes a far less concerning issue.

7th Round: 13th Selection

D'Anton Lynn: Corner - Penn State

Lynn is a classic Cover 2 style corner that's worth a late round pick.  He's a big 6'1" 210-pound kid with decent speed but stiff hips.

He's solid in physical press-man coverage and comfortable playing off the line in zone coverage, as well.

He can be beat by quicker receivers and has some fundamental problems, but coaching and the right scheme could make this kid one of the best late-round picks of this year's draft.

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen.  Step up to the soapbox below and let us know what you think.