NFL Draft 2011: 5 Players the Bears Might Focus on That Are Not on the O-Line
We're just a little more than a day away from the NFL draft and fans across the country are eagerly anticipating league commissioner Rodger Goodell's announcement of the Carolina Panthers' first overall pick.
While there is wide speculation as to who will be drafted in the top five of the draft, there have been safe assumptions as to what teams will focus on later in the first round.
This is the case of the Chicago Bears, who are picking 29th in this year's draft. The vast majority of people believe the Bears will be picking an offensive lineman, a very logical choice. After all, the Bears had the worst offensive line in football last season, allowing the most sacks in the NFL, including an astonishing nine in just one half against the New York Giants.
Their line is a bad combination in the case of Olin Kreutz and Roberto Garza, injury-plagued in the case of potential draft bust Chris Williams and raw as best exemplified as 2010 seventh-round pick J'Marcus Webb.
It makes total sense for the Bears to be targeting an offensive lineman.
However, the same could be said for the past several years, yet the only lineman the Bears have targeted the past several years was Williams. While drafting Williams was all well and good, he's been shaky at best while another lineman, Jeff Otah, selected later by the Carolina Panthers, has fared much better.
Other than that, Angelo has insisted on drafting lineman in the latter stages of the draft, insisting that he can build a line in the fifth, sixth or seventh rounds.
For this reason, Bears fans shouldn't get too comfortable seeing the likes of Nate Solder, Derek Sherrod or Gabe Carimi donning Bears blue and orange.
The question is, who might the Bears focus on in the first round?
Here are five guys the Bears might target that are not offensive linemen.
Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson
1 of 6
Here is one player that is falling down the draft charts like a rock. Injury concerns have dropped Bowers from a potential top-five pick to the possibility he might slip into the second round. Still, there is no denying that Bowers has amazing talent.
The Bears are in the enviable position of not having to rely on Bowers as their go-to franchise defensive end. Combining the potential of Bowers with perennial defensive MVP candidate Julius Peppers may be too tempting for Jerry Angelo to resist.
There would be a lot of risk involved with this pick, and considering the poor history of Angelo's selections in the first round, this could be yet another bust.
However, if Bowers turns out to not have as many injury issues as feared, he and Peppers could become the best one-two defensive end combo in the NFL.
Phil Taylor, Defensive Tackle, Baylor
2 of 6
In addition to the desperate help they need on offensive line, the Bears need help on their defensive interior as well with the departure of Tommie Harris. For several seasons, Harris was one of the best tackles in the NFL, but injuries and supposed lack of effort have led him out of Chicago.
While the Bears made due with a lot of castoffs in 2010, the Bears will be looking for immediate help. That help could come in the form of Phil Taylor, a big lineman who could draw double-coverage.
If Taylor can take on two linemen, it'd only mean greater things for Julius Peppers.
Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
3 of 6
There are few players in the draft right now that have such a wide range of where they'll be selected. The former Heisman Trophy winner has analysts selecting him as high as 14th with the St. Louis Rams or out of the first round altogether.
If Ingram were available with the 29th selection, he would be an interesting choice for the Bears. Matt Forte is a very solid running back, but he's not a player who should be the pure feature back.
The Bears tried to find their secondary running back in Chester Taylor last year, but he was an all-around disappointment. He averaged less than three yards per carry and was merely adequate in catching passes out of the backfield.
With speculation that Taylor might be cut whenever teams are allowed to make roster moves, Ingram would be a perfect complimentary back. He may not have the breakaway speed to be a feature back, but he's shown to have the burst to get to the outside while still willing to run up the middle.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Akeem Ayers, Linebacker, UCLA
4 of 6
For the past seven seasons, the Bears have had the good fortune of having one of the best duos at linebacker with Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. The two have been perennial Pro Bowlers for most of their careers and helped lead the defense to a 2006 Super Bowl appearance.
However, the two have never been able to welcome a third musketeer because the other outside linebacker spot has had constant replacements. From Hunter Hillenmeyer to Pisa Tinoisamoa to Nick Roach, the Bears have never been able to find a permanent third man.
That's why the Bears may take a serious look at Akeem Ayers, a man who, in some systems, might play defensive end. This could be a strength for the Bears as Briggs and Urlacher, while tremendous tacklers, have never been the best at rushing the passer.
Perhaps it's due to the Cover 2 scheme, but having a third linebacker that could be seen as more of a pass-rushing specialist could be a new wrinkle in the system for the opposition to focus on.
Aaron Williams, Cornerback, Texas
5 of 6
Much like the linebacker position, the Bears have enjoyed long term success with Charles Tillman at cornerback. However, ever since the Pro Bowl season of Nathan Vasher had in 2006, the secondary cornerback spot has been a cause for concern.
Vasher has since been cut, and other players like Zach Bowman cannot stay healthy. They've tried other guys like DJ Moore, Corey Graham and Tim Jennings, but they are not seen as permanent starters.
That is where Aaron Williams fits in—an interesting conundrum.
The speedy Texas cornerback had six interceptions in his career, though he had zero last year. His coach Mack Brown claims it's due to him not being thrown at.
The concern is he doesn't have the game-breaking skills to succeed. His physical skills though tells you that Williams has all kinds of potential. There is also the chance Williams could play safety, another position the Bears have had trouble with.
With Charles Tillman getting a little long in the tooth, the Bears need to start thinking about their future just as much as their present at the cornerback position.
The question is, do they invest a first-round pick now?
Who Do You Feel The Bears Might Target?
6 of 6
The odds are the Bears are going to take an offensive lineman. However, with the past of Jerry Angelo, no one can be sure what direction he will go.
Listed are the five most likely options the Bears would target, given their draft position.
Who are some other players you could see them taking, though, if Angelo avoids the O-line in the first round?
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
