Chicago Bears Pre-Combine 7-Round Mock Draft
The Chicago Bears enter the 2017 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis as one of the most intriguing teams.
Which, of course, is good and bad.
Taking a bad-news-first approach, this is a negative simply because it means the franchise has suffered for years to get to the point where it holds a top-three pick and needs immediate help at many different positions. It also means this could blow up in the face of general manager Ryan Pace in a hurry.
But the intrigue is a good factor for fans. The situation in Chicago means an emphasis on quarterbacks, starting at the top of the list and right on down. It means the same at wideout if the Bears let Alshon Jeffery walk. Ditto for defenders at any position. An infusion of high talent plus plenty of cash to spend in free agency means plenty of positive vibes surrounding the future.
Below, let's carve out a mock draft based on how the team should address a strong mix of need and value at each slot, keeping in mind potential free-agent adds can help complement rookies.
Round 1 (3)
1 of 7
The Pick: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame
The Bears won't be the only team wowed at the combine by the top quarterbacks in the class, though they will be one of the few with a realistic shot at them.
This rare chance isn't something Pace should ignore.
Chicago has a chance to land a potential franchise quarterback, which isn't something the team has historically had a shot at. It's better than playing the wait-and-see approach with guys like Matt Barkley or Connor Shaw and much better than bringing on a stop-gap solution in free agency (teams can often get stuck in the "next year's class is better" cycle).
The trick is picking the quarterback who fits best. Each top guy has their positives and negatives. Deshaun Watson won games and looks solid, minus iffy decision-making. Mitch Trubisky looks the part but crumbles under pressure. DeShone Kizer is a great mover but didn't have a stellar collegiate career.
Upside should be a big figure in the decision. The Bears need to build around the quarterback, not land an Andy Dalton and coast. Kizer is the quarterback with the biggest upside in the class, a 6'4", 230-pound gunslinger who moves in the pocket well, extends plays with his feet and throws on the run with accuracy.
Kizer has enjoyed a quiet build to the combine, where he'll blow teams away. But his mobility, big arm and two-way play that forces defenses to respect him at all times should have had him on the Bears radar for a long time, both as a guy who can start right away or sit and learn.
With how important quarterback is these days, a guy like Patrick Mahomes II isn't making it to the top of the second round, which helps force Pace's hand here.
Round 2 (36)
2 of 7
The Pick: Budda Baker, S, Washington
Safety might be the worst position on Chicago's roster before the draft and free agency.
The Bears will likely pursue notable free agents who fit well, such as Tony Jefferson and Duron Harmon, but adding a rookie who can come on the field with two new additions or start on his own makes plenty of sense.
Washington's Budda Baker is the pick here, with household names such as Jamal Adams and Malik Hooker already off the board.
That makes Baker sound like a consolation prize—but he's far from it. While not a household name like the others, Baker's potential is through the roof, despite what his 5'10”, 180-pound frame has done to his stock.
Baker is a superb centerfielder who can drop back and roll to the slot if necessary. He makes great reads of the offense and uses high school 100-meter champion speed to get to where the ball is going, not to mention his athleticism makes him look like a cornerback when manned up.
In Chicago, Baker can come on the field as an extra defensive back or simply never come off it. Either way works, with Pro Bowl upside in his future—especially once defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gets his hands on him.
Round 3 (67)
3 of 7
The Pick: Derek Rivers, EDGE, Youngstown State
One would think the Bears don't need to invest much more in the linebacking corps after splurging on Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan in the middle, Pernell McPhee on the outside and spending a high pick on Leonard Floyd.
Yet here we are.
Trevathan suffered a brutal injury, Freeman served a four-game ban, McPhee can't stay healthy since coming to town and Floyd—though he has shown whispers of elite production—needs some time to grow into his role.
Derek Rivers out of Youngstown State is a great way to reinforce Fangio's pass-rushing attack. The 6'4", 250-pound edge player has some of the most polarizing stock in the class as a whole. He hails from a small school but learned under head coach Bo Pelini, and he has some of the most explosive traits in the class.
In Chicago, Rivers could supplement McPhee and Floyd, giving the Bears a relentless, high-motor attack. Knowing Fangio, Rivers' elite athleticism and explosiveness could line up all over the field, perhaps even with his hand in the dirt.
If Rivers lasts this long, he's an obvious instant contributor.
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Round 4 (111)
4 of 7
The Pick: Tanoh Kpassagnon, DL, Villanova
Many mocks will pop up with the Bears taking a defensive lineman at No. 3, which isn't such a bad idea with guys like Jonathan Allen floating near the top of the class.
End and perhaps interior is certainly a need. The Bears spent a third-round pick on Jonathan Bullard in 2016 but didn't trust him much. Fangio leaned on the best season of Akiem Hicks' career to stabilize the position, while mixing in a batch of the ever-improving Cornelius Washington. In the middle, Eddie Goldman had a hard time staying healthy.
The fourth round is a great place to reinforce the area, regardless of whether Washington returns (after so much time spent in developing him, why wouldn't he?) or the staff decides to start Bullard.
Tanoh Kpassagnon is a nice high-upside investment if he's still on the board. He's one of the more intriguing prospects in the class thanks to a 6'7", 280-pound frame. While not the most developed pass rusher in the class, the natural traits to set the edge and get after quarterbacks, not to mention kick inside on passing downs and rush, are all there.
Kpassagnon is a bit of a raw project, but with Fangio at the controls, his having more natural, can't-teach talent and athleticism to build around is nothing short of a good thing.
Round 4 (117)
5 of 7
The Pick: Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
Corner is the other spot the Bears need to address at least once with draft resources.
The good news is the Bears already have developing young talent in place with someone such as Cre'Von LeBlanc. Kyle Fuller is more of an unknown, but a youthful selection of talent already in place makes it easier for the Bears to pass on a corner early in this draft.
An extra fourth-round pick seems like the sweet spot to search for a guy who can stick on the roster and see playing time right away if necessary, while flaunting every-down potential in need of grooming.
On such a hunt, Damontae Kazee out of San Diego State comes to mind. He's smaller in the vein of Baker, but isn't too small for nickel duties at 5'10" and 183 pounds. More violent than one would expect against the run, Kazee also flashed on film when it comes to forcing turnovers, which is a plus for a guy who falls to this spot due to size concerns.
Slapping Kazee onto the depth chart with other young guys (and potential free agents) and letting the best players emerge is the best way for the front office to tackle one of the roster's biggest problem areas.
Round 5 (147)
6 of 7
The Pick: Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
Pace has the Bears in a bit of a head-scratching situation at wideout after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the team will let Jeffery hit the open market.
Granted, the Bears weren't likely to tag Jeffery for a second year in a row, but the lack of recorded traction on a new deal is perplexing. Teams will overpay for a talent like Jeffery on the open market, even if he has had injury issues, posted middling production and served a four-game ban over the past two years.
Alas, letting Jeffery go shouldn't alter the draft plans much, not when Chicago can go out and get a free agent to pair with a developing youngster like Cameron Meredith, while the coaching staff holds its breath hoping Kevin White can stay healthy.
Carlos Henderson this late in the draft is a good way for the Bears to grab some insurance, if not a guy who can eventually contribute consistently. The Louisiana Tech product is on the smaller side at 6'1" and 191 pounds, but he's dangerous with the ball in his hands—look at a note by Pro Football Focus' Jeff Ratcliffe: “Carlos Henderson averaged 9.6 YAC and forced a nation leading 48 missed tackles."
A rookie sure won't mind a target who can make big gains after an easy connection. The coaching staff won't mind either, nor will they hesitate to put him on kick returns right out of the gates. Translation, being, value and need collide well here.
Round 7 (221)
7 of 7
The Pick: Cole Hikutini, TE, Louisville
A seventh-round pick who can stick on a roster is a good way to find value.
Given Zach Miller's health issues and the lack of depth behind him, a rookie this late in the proceedings might just stand a chance at making it happen.
Louisville's Cole Hikutini is the choice here. A 6'5", 248-pound weapon who can play all over the field and get defenders out of position, Hikutini is a reliable target the Bears need regardless of who lines up under center and what experience they boast.
Hikutini doesn't have to contribute right away, but his upside as a weapon is something the Bears should want. He's not an in-line blocker by any means, but even as a rookie, Chicago could trot him out close to the end zone and give the quarterback more big-play options.
In time, Hikutini could replace the veteran Miller. This is a good example of where the Bears are now—complete roster turnover is about complete, but it's time to start thinking about who replaces veterans a few years down the road.
Stats and info courtesy of the NFL Scouting Combine's official participants list unless otherwise specified.
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