Chicago Bears Day 3 2014 NFL Draft Primer
Day 2 of the NFL draft is officially over, and the Chicago Bears have a pair of new defensive tackles in LSU's Ego Ferguson and Arizona State's Will Sutton.
Now that the Bears have solidified the defensive tackle position, they need to focus on their remaining needs, particularly at safety and running back.
Kyle Fuller, Ferguson and Sutton are welcome additions to one of the worst defenses in the league from last season, but general manager Phil Emery still needs to add depth to many positions on both sides of the ball.
In order to get an idea of where the team is headed on Day 3, we take a look at their updated positional needs, top Day 3 targets, what the experts are saying and a mock draft for the final four rounds.
This team still has plenty of needs to address, and plenty of solid options will be available on the final day of the 2014 NFL draft.
Here is our Day 3 2014 NFL draft primer for the Chicago Bears.
Day 2 Recap and Analysis
1 of 6
General manager Phil Emery wasted little time on Friday night in addressing the team's biggest needs along the defensive line.
In the second round, he surprised some by selecting LSU's Ego Ferguson and got tremendous value in the third round when he selected Arizona State's Will Sutton.
Sutton was surprised to have been taken by the Bears after the team took Ferguson in the second round:
"LM: Sutton said when #Bears drafted Ego Ferguson, he didn't think he would be picked by team as well.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 10, 2014"
Sutton projects as more of a 3-technique, while Ferguson is viewed as a nose tackle/2-technique:
"Will Sutton says he is most suited to play 3-technique. "That's where I can excel at. … My strength is on 1-on-1, pass rush…"
— Bears Insider (@bears_insider) May 10, 2014"
"Ferguson on Pasqualoni: “He asked me, can I play that 2-technique? He said that’s what he wanted me for and he showed a lot of interest."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) May 10, 2014"
Sutton is excited about the potential of playing alongside Ferguson for years to come.
"I bet they think that us two could make a good tandem together, either he plays nose and I play three-tech or vice versa," Sutton said on a conference call Friday night about Ferguson, per ChicagoFootball.com. "Wherever they want us to play, I feel like us two can come in and really do some damage."
By drafting Ferguson and Sutton, Emery helped improve a defensive tackle position that sorely needed youth and depth. He might have found the team's starting defensive tackle duo for the future.
Updated Needs for the Chicago Bears
2 of 6
After taking Kyle Fuller, Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton with their first three picks, the Bears still have many needs to address on Day 3.
Here are five of the team's remaining positional needs.
Safety
The team passed on an opportunity to select Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Louisville's Calvin Pryor in the first round and heads into Day 3 with a glaring need at the safety position.
The further the draft moves along without the team taking a safety, the more likely it appears that the Bears are comfortable moving forward with some combination of Chris Conte, Ryan Mundy, M.D. Jennings, Craig Steltz and Danny McCray as their starters.
Running Back
The team still needs to find a suitable backup to spell running back Matt Forte for a series or two each game. Despite having Michael Ford and Shaun Draughn on the roster, the Bears can still use an upgrade at the position.
Luckily for them, few running backs have been taken off the board since the draft began Thursday night. Chicago will have plenty of options to choose from on Day 3.
Linebacker
Despite having veterans Lance Briggs and D.J. Williams as starters at weak-side and middle linebacker, the team could use more youth and depth at the position.
Jon Bostic and Shea McClellin are the front-runners for the starting strong-side linebacker, but they would likely benefit from having more competition this offseason.
Defensive End
The Bears already addressed the defensive end position in free agency by signing Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young, but it never hurts to add an additional pass-rusher.
Any defensive end that the Bears select in Day 3 will likely be a project player, but given the signings they made this offseason, they can afford to develop a young player.
Quarterback
Despite Phil Emery saying he does not want to invest a late-round pick in a quarterback, the team still has a need at the position.
While most of the top quarterbacks have already come off the board, there will still be plenty of options available for the Bears on Day 3.
Top Day 3 Targets
3 of 6
The first three rounds of the draft are now over, and here is where things can get interesting. While a lot of focus is placed on Day 1 and Day 2 picks, Day 3 can make or break a team's draft.
Here are 11 players I believe the team should be targeting on Day 3.
David Fales, Quarterback, San Jose State
Despite Phil Emery's comments that the team is unlikely to draft a late-round quarterback, San Jose State's David Fales would be a perfect developmental quarterback in the later rounds.
His accuracy and intelligence would make him a nice fit in Marc Trestman's West Coast offense.
Xavier Grimble, Tight End, USC
Xavier Grimble's ability to catch the ball in the middle of the field, combined with his good hands, could have teams looking at him in the fourth round because of his potential.
Antone Exum, Cornerback/Safety, Virginia Tech
Exum may slide down in this draft because of the questions surrounding his durability, but if he is available in the sixth round, he is the type of player that Emery noted he was looking for in a cornerback/safety hybrid.
Jalen Saunders, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
Jalen Saunders is the type of player who can be effective in the slot and used in special packages in the Bears offense—particularly on reverses and end-arounds that would showcase his speed and shiftiness.
Jordan Tripp, Linebacker, Montana
One of Jordan Tripp's biggest strengths is in coverage, where he has the speed to match up with tight ends and running backs. He plays with good footwork and fluidity. He would provide depth and could make an instant impact on special teams.
Sean Parker, Safety, Washington
Parker has good but not great speed for the position and a penchant for making big hits. He is great at attacking the run downhill and excelled when playing inside of the box. He could challenge Craig Steltz and Danny McCray for the final safety spot in training camp.
Aaron Lynch, Defensive End, Central Florida
Aaron Lynch's drop in production in his junior season will likely bring down his draft stock, but he has the potential and tools to become an elite pass-rusher with proper coaching.
Aaron Murray, Quarterback, Georgia
Aaron Murray was once considered an early-round draft pick until a torn ACL in November ruined his 2013 season.
He has been very effective throughout his career in the short-to-intermediate passing game, which suits Trestman's West Coast offense. While he does not have the arm of a Jay Cutler, Murray can still throw a decent deep ball.
Colt Lyerla, Tight End, Oregon
Colt Lyerla has all of the potential to be a playmaker in the NFL, but due to his off-the-field issues, the Bears would have to look long and hard at him to determine whether he has righted himself in his personal life and can help the team on the field.
Vinnie Sunseri, Safety, Alabama
Vinnie Sunseri's decision to leave Alabama early was somewhat surprising, especially after a knee injury, but he has the potential to be a steal in the later rounds of this draft.
He has great instincts and a high level of football knowledge. However, he will need to prove that he has the flexibility and movement back in his knee that will allow him to cut on the football.
Tyler Gaffney, Running Back, Stanford
Tyler Gaffney is an effective runner between the tackles, has above-average hands and could develop into a solid option as a goal-line running back for the Bears.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
What Are the Experts Saying?
4 of 6
The first three rounds of the draft are officially in the books, and on Saturday we will find out what the team is going to do with its remaining four picks.
The Bears currently sit with one pick in both the fourth and fifth rounds and will finish up the draft with two sixth-round picks.
Here is what some experts think the Bears should do on Day 3.
Walter Cherpinsky, WalterFootball.com: George Uko, Defensive Tackle, USC (Fourth Round)
"Henry Melton is long gone, so if the Bears happen to miss out on Aaron Donald at No. 14, George Uko would be an option during Day 3.
"
After addressing the defensive tackle position in the second and third rounds, it is unlikely the team would look to add another defensive lineman. If Phil Emery thinks George Uko would help provide even more youth and depth at the position, he could grab him in the sixth round, but that seems unlikely at this point.
Nolan Vasan, NFLDraftGeek.com: Yawin Smallwood, Linebacker, Connecticut (Fourth Round)
"After an underrated junior season, Yawin Smallwood hurt his draft stock with a terrible showing at the combine. Smallwood doesn't have great speed, but at 6'2" and 250 pounds his size makes him a good fit for the 3-4 as a downhill linebacker. Chicago needs help at all three 'backer spots.
"
Vasan pegs Smallwood as a good fit in a 3-4 defense, but he has the flexibility to play all three linebacker spots in a 4-3. He has good enough coverage skills and could be a solid value pick in the fourth round.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Ross Cockrell, Cornerback, Duke (Fourth Round)
Brooks does not provide commentary on his later-round picks, but Duke's Ross Cockrell would add even more depth and competition at the cornerback position. He plays well in zone coverage and could be an immediate contributor on special teams.
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: Jared Abbrederis, Wide Receiver, Wisconsin (Fifth Round)
Miller does not provide commentary on his picks past the first round, but Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis would be a nice fit in Marc Trestman's West Coast offense.
His quickness, solid hands and good route-running ability will make him a value pick for the Bears in the fifth round.
Walter Cherpinsky, WalterFootball.com: Kevin Pierre-Lewis, Linebacker, Boston College (Fifth Round)
"The Bears must add some much-needed talent to their very thin linebacking corps.
"
With an aging Lance Briggs and D.J. Williams penciled in as starters this season, there is a need for the team to get younger at the linebacker position.
Pierre-Lewis was a four-year starter at Boston College and would immediately bring competition to the strong-side linebacker position.
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: Nat Berhe, Safety, San Diego State (Sixth Round)
Depth at the safety position is still a need for the Bears, and San Diego State's Nat Berhe would be a value pick for the Bears in the sixth round.
NFL.com's Nolan Nawrocki sees him as a solid project at the position: "Has the look of a solid backup and core special-teams player with potential to compete for a more prominent role down the line."
4 Predictions for Day 3
5 of 6
If a High-Ceiling Quarterback Is Available, the Bears Will Draft Him
Phil Emery has stated that he is not interested in drafting a developmental quarterback in this year's draft, but if a high-ceiling quarterback falls to him, he may find it too difficult to pass up.
Georgia's Aaron Murray, San Diego State's David Fales, Ball State's Keith Wenning and Clemson's Tajh Boyd are all high-ceiling quarterbacks who may end up being too difficult to pass up on for the Bears.
Bears Will Select Jordan Tripp with Pick No. 117
The Bears still have a glaring need at the linebacker position despite taking Jon Bostic and Khaseem Greene in the 2013 draft.
Tripp has the flexibility to play all three linebacker positions and could potentially push Bostic and Shea McClellin at strong-side linebacker in training camp.
Bears Will Attempt to Package Their Two Sixth-Round Picks for Another Fifth-Round Pick
Phil Emery has not been shy in the past to trade away draft picks to move up for a player he likes. Back in 2012, he traded the 50th and 150th overall picks to move up five spots to No. 45 to grab Alshon Jeffery.
It is unlikely that Emery would be able to get anywhere near the value he got out of Jeffery in the second round, but he could use his two sixth-round picks to move into the fifth if there is a player he covets.
Bears Will Select Aaron Murray With Pick No. 156
While the team has greater needs elsewhere, Aaron Murray could be a steal for the Bears in the fifth round.
He is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in November, and there would be limited pressure on him being the backup to Jay Cutler and Jordan Palmer.
Updated Chicago Bears Mock Draft
6 of 6
Round 4, Pick No. 117: Jordan Tripp, Linebacker, Montana
If there is one part of Jordan Tripp's game that doesn't need improvement, it is his confidence.
"I don't want to sound arrogant, but I believe that I'm the most versatile linebacker in this draft," Tripp told FoxSports.com. "I believe I can run and cover better than any linebacker in this draft."
He would be a welcome addition to a linebacker group that struggled with injuries in 2013. He could push for the starting strong-side linebacker spot or be a solid contributor on special teams in 2014.
Round 5, Pick No. 156: Aaron Murray, Quarterback, Georgia
As I alluded to in my last slide, the quarterback position isn't the greatest need for the Bears, but Aaron Murray may be too difficult to pass up if he is available in the fifth round.
Round 6, Pick No. 183 (via Tampa Bay): James White, Running Back, Wisconsin
Despite his size, James White is strong, shows a good burst and uses his low center of gravity to find space. He's not necessarily a power back, but he has a nose for the end zone, particularly near the goal line.
Round 6, Pick No. 191 : Xavier Grimble, Tight End, USC
USC's Xavier Grimble has the size (6'4", 257 lbs) of a prototypical NFL tight end but needs to develop as a blocker.
He has immense athleticism and would be a nice backup to Martellus Bennett.
All stats and combine information courtesy of NFL.com.
Matt Eurich is an NFL/Chicago Bears Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
