WCG Chicago Bears Draft Board: Defensive Backs

Cornerback is, in my opinion, the 4^th most pressing need for the Bears, which is why this week's WCG Draft Board will focus on the 2011 corner back prospects. Charles Tillman turned in a solid year at corner and should have gotten some consideration for the Pro Bowl. He's pretty much a lock to start at either RCB or LCB next season. Who will be playing on the other side of him is a mystery. While Tim Jennings had his highs, he most certainly had plenty of lows, most notably the NFC Championship game. Zachary Bowman was supposed to be the #1 corner this season, but his lack of recognition hurt him in week 3 and he was benched for Tim Jennings. Joshua Moore is a player I am really high on for next year because he's touted as a very good man to man corner, but just needs to bulk up more.

The Bears have a glaring hole at CB which is why we're focusing on the top 15 prospects entering this year's draft.

#1 Patrick Peterson, LSU- Unless he seriously messes up the interviews or suffers a significant injury leading up to his pro day workouts, we won't have a shot at the best corner back in the draft. Most mock drafts have him going in the top 5, and at worst he won't slip past 7. Highlights

#2 Prince Amukamara, Nebraska- Prince is the closest thing to resemble Namdi Asomagah. He is a true shutdown corner because of his ability to take away a whole side of the field. Highlights

#3 Brandon Harris, Miami- A great athlete at the CB position, Harris reminds me a lot of Packers corner Tramon Williams. I would like to see him get a little stronger so he can develop into a complete CB at the next level. Highlights

#4 Aaron Williams, Texas- I waffle at who should be after Brandon Harris between Aaron Williams, Jimmy Smith, and his teammate Curtis Brown. I put Williams #4 because he's the most tremendous athlete of the 3. He is really good in man coverage and also has good range in zone coverage. Highlights

#5 Jimmy Smith, Colorado- Big corner that's not afraid to come down and mix it up. Not much of the athlete like Williams; just does his job - and does it very well I might add. Highlights

#6 Rashad Carmichael, Virgina Tech- A lot of mocks have Curtis Brown as the first corner after the obvious 5, but not me. Rashad Carmichael's physical talent put him here at #6. Has good ball skills, physicality, and can play man. He's definitely a guy the Bears should look at in the 2^nd round. Highlights

#7 Curtis Brown, Texas- Small corner, but is quick and fast enough to play man coverage. Because of his slim build, he will have trouble trying to press big receivers at the next level.

#8 Ras-I Dowing, Virginia- Really don't know why most draft experts and mocks soured on Dowing. Dowing is a solid man to man defensive back, very physical, with good ball skills. If he is available with the Bears 2^nd pick or even their 3^rd round pick, it would be a steal. Highlights

#9 Kendrick Burney, North Carolina- Burney is a very good instinct player which helps him overcome his size. Mike Mayock has compared him to Brandon Flowers, which is pretty high praise. Highlights

#10 Johnny Patrick, Louisville- Very underrated (or at least to me he's underrated). Patrick is a decent sized corner with solid man coverage skills. Reminds me a lot of last year's pick Joshua Moore, but is a little stronger. Highlights

#11 Brandon Burton, Utah- Not really a physical corner, as he can get swallowed up in the run game. Coverage-wise he is pretty good and has the potential to get even better with the right coaching. Highlights

#12 Devon House, New Mexico- Most likely a project because he's small at 178 lbs, but he does have the ball and cover skills to play on the outside.

#13 DeMarcus Van Dyke, Miami- Just like House, Van Dyke has to beef up but he flashed potential at the senior bowl. Not likely to come in right away and play, and I would suggest that he develops behind a solid veteran starter for a couple years.

#14 Shareece Wright, USC- Another guy that benefited from the Senior Bowl, Wright's stock might have shot up to the 3^rd round with an impressive performance.

#15 Jalil Brown, Colorado- Brown is the sleeper of this year's corner prospects. The fact that he was targeted less because of Jimmy Smith on the other side and still had a break out season speaks volumes.

Mock CB pick for the Bears: Rashad Carmichael, Virginia Tech

I don't see the Bears going CB in the 1^st round, but I can see them going for one in the 2^nd which is why I chose Carmichael. Carmichael would be an ideal fit for Lovie's Tampa-2 scheme because he's really physical which is what you want in that scheme out of your corner. He also is pretty good at man to man coverage which I notice Lovie and Marinelli playing more of towards the end of the season.