2011 NFL Mock Draft: Final Chicago Bears 6-Round Predictions
The NFL draft is Thursday, and Bears fans have been eagerly awaiting this day like a kid on Christmas morning. Many are hoping for an offensive lineman all wrapped up and sitting under the tree.
Unfortunately, in this, the final mock before the real thing, all of the good tackles, centers and guards have been taken, leaving the Bears with the prospect of taking an OT unworthy of the first round or a DT like Marvin Austin.
But this is an especially deep draft for defensive linemen, so Jerry Angelo and his brain trust just may pull a fast one and save that pick until the second round.
What does that mean for the first-round selection? Let me look in my crystal ball and well, it's a little cloudy, but—wait—there it is...
...With the 29th selection in the 2011 NFL draft the Chicago Bears...
Bears Trade out of First Round, Obtain Two Picks
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Jerry Angelo watches as the offensive linemen he covets—Gabe Carimi, Mike Pouncey, Anthony Castonzo (a good Italian boy just like Jerry), and even Nate Solder and Derek Sherrod all go in the first 28 picks.
So, rather than take a player they figure will fall into the early- to mid-second round, they trade the pick to a team seeking to move up to grab that one player they simply must have.
Maybe it's a team looking for a QB; perhaps it's some GM wanting that WR he thought would be taken by now. But whatever the reason, a team comes a-callin' and the Bears go a-dealin'.
In return, they receive an earlier second-round pick to go with the one they have late in the round and an extra fifth-round selection.
photo: www.beargoggleson.com
Second-Round Pick No. 1: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
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The Bears get their man after all. Against my better judgement, they grab Austin with their early second-round pick. Not an exciting selection for me, as I question his work ethic, but Angelo has been said to really like him.
On the other hand, I have five fingers. (I've always wanted to use that joke, sorry, couldn't resist). Actually, Austin demonstrates very good quickness for his size and should be ready to start in place of Tommie Harris.
His pass rush is still developing, but he has upside in this area. Austin has strength and a good spin move. Against the run, he has a quick first step and good lateral mobility outside of the tackles.
Again, he does lack maximum effort and maturity and has rather short arms. But in the end, his bulk and elite speed win out and the Bears get their man.
Second-Round Pick No. 2: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami (FL)
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Jerry Angelo has been talking about what a deep draft this is for defensive linemen, so one has to figure he's got an eye on one. With that in mind, the Bears take the best end on the board late second round, and that is Bailey.
Bailey is country strong with a good combination of speed, power and quickness. He needs to develop some better moves to be more effective as an edge rusher, but he has the strength to bull rush and collapse the pocket.
Against the run, he is even better. He hits with such force that he will knock his share of balls loose. And I'm not just talking about the one the runner is carrying!
As good as he is, he lacks natural instincts which is why he is still on the board this late. But he's a good value pick here with a high motor and is relentless in pursuit.
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Third-Round Pick: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
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So now that the Bears have fixed up the defense, it's time to focus on the offensive line. Sure, they need to go out and grab one in free agency, but Gilbert would be a solid value pick this late in the draft if he's still available.
We know that Angelo likes players from Florida, so Gilbert should be someone they'd want.
Gilbert is good in pass protection, showing the ability to knock edge rushers off balance with a strong punch. Against the run, he moves well laterally and gets around the corner when pulling.
Make no mistake, he's a bit of a project and may not start immediately. But once Mike Tice helps refine his technique, he should be capable of starting by mid-season.
If the Bears can complement this pick with a free agent signing, they will have successfully upgraded both lines in this draft.
Fourth-Round Pick: Davon House, CB, New Mexico State
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With only Charles Tillman around as a solid, every down corner, the Bears need some help, and if House is still on the board when the Bears pick in the fourth round, they should jump at the chance.
House isn't exceptional in any area, but as a fourth-round pick, he provides solid value, with decent speed and good size for the position.
He uses his long arms and strong upper body to get receivers off their route and can run with most receivers. A very physical player who may need to learn to adapt to the NFL rules on contact, but uses his big hands to knock the ball away from the receiver.
Gee, sound like anyone we know?
Plus, he played for the same college that we plucked Brian Urlacher from, so there is good karma there.
Fifth-Round Pick No. 1: Kris Durham, WR, Georgia
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Durham won't provide Jay Cutler with the veteran physical receiver he needs, but as a fifth-rounder, you could do worse than Durham, who will isn't afraid to go get the ball up the middle.
Durham is around 6'5" with seemingly good character, though he did have injury issues in college. He missed the 2009 season.
He has good ball skills and could develop into a solid slot receiver, though he will never be the highlight reel type of wideout.
Durham needs to work on his technique and some other things, but he is tough and a willing blocker.
Fifth-Round Pick No. 2: Douglas Hogue, LB, Syracuse
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The Bears have only two linebackers under team control for 2011, so regardless of whether Angelo thinks the draft is weak in this area or not, he may be forced to take one.
Hogue is the type of player who could excel in special teams while being developed. He has good height and room to grow into his frame.
He is more of a raw athlete than a football player at this point, but he flies around the field, making him a good candidate to help Dave Toub's unit.
Good speed and quickness, so he could develop into a decent option as an occasional pass rusher on the blitz.
photo: www.giantsgab.com
Sixth-Round Pick: Jerrard Tarrant, Safety, Georgia Tech
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With their sixth-round pick, Bears take the best player on the board and go with a safety out of Georgia Tech. There has been some talk of the Bears taking a developmental QB late, so depending on who is left that is another direction they could go with this pick.
The big question with Tarrant is whether he is willing to work at his game. He appears lazy at times, though he has good ball skills. He also flashes ability in the return game.
More of a gambler at this point, so he will need to learn to complement his natural play making ability with much better technique if he's going to make it in the league.
Although he was eventually cleared, back in 2008 Tarrant was charged with rape and missed the entire season.
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