Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Mock Before the Actual Draft

Quit mocking me, Bears fans, for mocking the Bears draft. It's just that this is one of the more critical drafts in recent memory, as this team is poised to compete for the Super Bowl this year, with a relatively soft schedule and a team that was rolling prior to the Jay Cutler injury last season. All we need now is a solid draft.

That said, this is the 11th mock draft I've authored, and each time I've either changed my mind or altered my thinking about just what the Bears should do with their first-round pick.

I've run the gamut from wide receiver to defensive end and then to cornerback, offensive tackle and even center. Trades and free agent signings have altered my draft philosophy, along with results from the NFL combine, Senior Bowl and pro days.

I've watched players draft stock move up and down in value, affecting who might be available when the Bears pick at No. 19 in the first round.

But through it all, I've remained firm in the belief that this draft, if properly executed, will help propel the Bears to their first title since January of 1986.

I can't believe that the draft is almost upon us already, so let's not waste any more time and get right to it.  

Round 1: Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois

With the 19th pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears select...Whitney Mercilus, a 6'4", 261 lb. DE out of Illinois. In doing so, Mercilus will pair up with Julius Peppers to form one of the top duos in the NFL.

But this pick truly could go a couple of different ways for the Bears. If Melvin Ingram unexpectedly slips this far, they should not pass him up. But that is highly unlikely.

You can forget about wide receiver—even if Michael Floyd is still on the board (again, not likely), I don't think the Bears go that route. For better or worse, they feel that adding Brandon Marshall eliminates that need.

Another interesting development is that Riley Reiff, who had been projected as a top-10 pick since early on, is falling quickly and could end up being on the board when the Bears pick at No. 19. There is concern over his short arms. But he would be a value pick for Chicago.

The other serious possibility that might prevent GM Phil Emery from taking a DE is if they go with a stud cornerback like Dre Kirkpatrick to pair with Pro Bowler Charles Tillman to form one of the league's best duos.  Don't discount that possibility. Someone has to cover those Packers and Lions wideouts.

Another possibility is to get that pass rush push from the interior of the defense, by drafting a defensive tackle who is a true three-technique.

But in the end, I'd go with an end. Mercilus looked great at the combine and pro day  He is fast and athletic, and he has a powerful bull rush.  

Honorable Mention: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa; Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama; Michael Brockers, DT, LSU 

Round 2: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Let me state for the record that the Bears need a left tackle much, much more than they need a corner. But after the first round, I just don't see any sure-fire LTs that will definitely stay on the left side in the NFL, or I would make that pick right now.

I also like Kevin Zeitler, the Wisconsin guard, with this pick. Yes, the Bears have depth at guard, but depth does not always translate to quality.

And speaking of depth, with the second-round pick, I hope the Bears take a chance on the very talented but troubled Janoris Jenkins from North Alabama. He has several off-the-field incidents, most of them involving marijuana. He has also fathered children with multiple women.

But there is no denying his talent. This is a corner on par with Dre Kirkpatrick but with much more risk. So, instead of being drafted in the top 20, he will go in the late first or probably the second round. If he falls to the Bears at No. 50, he will be a steal, as long as Phil Emery is willing to take a chance.

Look, I know we have re-signed Tim Jennings as well as a couple free agents, but we have only one true every-down corner on the roster. They replaced free-agent departures Zack Bowman and Corey Graham with veterans Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite, but they are not starters.

If healthy, Hayden should challenge Tim Jennings for the starting job opposite Charles Tillman. But with Hayden, the key word is “if,” which is why it makes sense for the Bears to strongly consider adding a cornerback in the draft capable of challenging for a starting job.

Improved quarterback play around the division with players such as Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and Detroit’s Matthew Stafford, coupled with the dangerous receivers of the NFC North, intensifies the need to stock rosters with top-notch cover men.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin; Rueben Randle, WR, LSU; Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall (if Bears don't take a DE in the first round)

Round 3: Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas

Robinson had a solid overall performance at the combine. He did not stand out as much as a senior he did as a junior. Robinson had 84 tackles with eight tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, one sack and zero interceptions in 2011. He has speed, athleticism and quality size.

Robinson looks capable of doing more, but he was never a dominant player. He did play well in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. 

Keenan Robinson is a fast, physical and underrated player. Last year, Robinson led Texas in tackles with 105. He also had 7.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and one forced fumble. Robinson (6-3, 235) also is a quality player on special teams.

He was an All-Big 12 honorable mention for the second straight season. Robinson notched 63 tackles and four tackles for a loss as a sophomore. He has good size and should help the Bears this season.

Honorable Mention: Juron Criner, WR, Arizona; Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State; Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa

Round 4: Mike Martin, DT, Michigan

The Bears' depth at defensive tackle took a hit when they lost free agent Amobi Okoye after releasing Anthony Adams. While they are set for now with Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina and Stephen Paea, if any of them get hurt or are ineffective, they have no one on the roster with experience. 

The Bears haven’t used any of their NFL-allotted 30 pre-draft visits to host any defensive tackle prospects, so I don't think they will use a higher pick to go after a tackle. But in the fourth round, they should take the best one available.

Meanwhile, Martin had 64 tackles with six tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in 2011. He plays well versus the run and had a phenomenal week of practice at the Senior Bowl. If he had played his senior year like he practiced, he would be a first- or second-round pick.

Martin has great feet and quickness and is tough with a good motor.

Honorable Mention: Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina; Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State; Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State 

Round 5: Nate Potter, OT, Boise State

Potter may be the last true left tackle on the board by the fourth round. He will be a development project, as he needs to increase his strength and power to be an adequate run blocker in the NFL, but he has the tools to stay on the left side and eventually challenge for a starting job.

Still, he did not perform well at the combine and was not at the Senior Bowl. WalterFootball.com states there are "alleged medical concerns" about Potter, so the Bears would have to do their due diligence before drafting him.

But if those turn out to be false rumors, then Potter in Round 4 makes sense. He had a real fine senior season, and even though he's not heavy, he showed the strength and power to hold ends off his QB all year.

Honorable Mention: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State (horrible combine and now another drug issue); Audie Cole, ILB, North Carolina State

Round 6: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Sure, there is a lot of risk in taking a troubled player like Burfict. But with that risk comes a high reward potential. Many GMs are willing to take a chance in the later round, so perhaps Emery rolls the dice on the talented Burfict.

He is back in the news for drugs, and he had a horrible combine. Even his interviews were terrible. Burfict has fallen further any prospect over the past year. He says that whichever team drafts him will get a great middle linebacker, but he has a lot to prove on the football field.

Burfict committed a ton of personal fouls and had weight issues last season, so he is very undisciplined. Failing a drug test at the combine is a huge red flag because players know they are going to be tested. But if he can get his act together (and he has time; most sixth-round picks don't contribute their first season anyway), he can have a big upside.

Honorable Mention: Sean Richardson, SS, Vanderbilt

Round 7: Winston Guy, SS, Kentucky

I know what you're thinking: not another safety. But relax, Bears fans, not only is Guy an underrated prospect, but this late in the draft you just take the best player available.

I'm not sure why Cox is projected to be such a late-round pick, but if he lasts this long, he will arguably be the best player on the board. He injured his groin right before the combine, so he didn't show well, which may have dropped his draft stock. But he appeared in every game during his college career.

He doesn't have great ball skills but is terrific in run support and should develop into an effective in-the-box safety at the next level.

Honorable Mention: George Bryan, TE, N.C. State; Scott Wedige, C, Northern Illinois; Dennis Kelly, OT, Purdue