With the 2016 NFL Draft starting tonight in Chicago, I’ve decided to put together my own mock draft and what I think the Bears will do with their nine picks:
1. Round 1 (11th overall): Shaq Lawson DE, Clemson
Shaq Lawson is a perfect fit for Vic Fangio’s defense in Chicago. His versatility is what separates him from the rest. Not only can he power rush past offensive linemen, he will spin past you and get to the quarterback in the blink of an eye.
2. Round 2 (41st overall): Karl Joseph S, West Virginia
Karl Joseph is the top rated safety in this draft class, he’s fast and he’s a huge hitter. He would do wonders next to second year free safety, Adrian Amos.
3. Round 3 (72nd overall): Austin Hooper TE, Stanford
Hooper is an outstanding pass-catcher and would be a big target for Cutler. Now that Martellus Bennett has been traded, our only true tight end is Zach Miller. Adding Hooper to the mix would take a lot of pressure off of Miller.
4. Round 4 (106th overall): Maurice Canady CB, Virginia
Maurice Canady has size and physicality which is exactly what the Bears were lacking in their cornerbacks. He has great feet and would probably make a solid contribution in his first year.
5. Round 4 (127th overall): Scooby Wright III LB, Arizona
Scooby Wright was the Pac-12 defensive player of the year. He’s super fast, he times snaps, and he has excellent awareness.
6. Round 5 (150th overall): Bralon Addison WR, Oregon
Addison would definitely be a project, but he has all the right tools. He’s fantastic after the catch and his speed is what makes him exceptionally difficult to cover.
7. Round 6 (185th overall): Jake Coker QB, Alabama
Inconsistency was Coker’s biggest problem, but he has the tools to succeed in this league. He obviously would sit and learn behind Cutler for a couple of years before he would even have a chance to compete for a starting job.
8. Round 6 (206th overall): Avery Young OT, Auburn
This would be a depth selection for the Bears. Avery is the younger brother of Bears’ defensive end Willie Young. The good thing about Avery is that he can perform at tackle and guard.
9. Round 7 (230th overall): Darius Latham DT, Indiana
Latham is a bull rusher and can defend the run and the pass. He is quick and uses his power to get through offensive linemen.
These nine picks would be ideal moving forward for the Bears. We take care of our needs and get a good player at each position.
