Mocking the Mocks: Who they think the Bears will take

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 15, 2011 11:00 AM CDT in NFL Draft

One thing is for certain even with the current labor troubles surrounding the NFL, and that's that the upcoming Draft will take place as scheduled. With free agency still up in the air, I think you'll see more teams filling needs rather than taking the best player available. Teams will draft what they need when they can, then look to free agency to try and fill in the holes in their rosters.

This time out we'll look at the Mock Draft from Senior Analyst Pat Kirwin of NFL.com. It's a two round mock and he doesn't have the Bears going with an offensive lineman with either pick. Odd. Go check out his mock (the link above will pop) then head right back over here and take the jump so we can get all into it...

With the 29th pick in his mock draft he has Chicago selecting Aaron Williams, CB, Texas. Here's what he said about the pick:

The Bears know there is some depth late in the first round at corner and get a shot at a smooth athlete. Williams ran a slow 40 at the combine and needs to run faster at some point. He'll have a chance at Texas' pro day on March 28.

And if the Draft was to fall like he predicts that may be the way Jerry Angelo goes, but it isn't the way I would go. The top 5 offensive tackles are off the board, as is Mike Pouncy who is the top rated interior lineman on most boards, but two other offensive guards that could step in and compete are Danny Watkins from Baylor and Benjamin Ijalana from Villanova. I think both of these interior linemen have a better chance at making a rookie impact than Aaron Williams would. And o-line is a much bigger need in my opinion, but both players could be perceived as a reach, so if I'm looking for the best value I think I'll look at d-line.

Illinois Defensive tackle Corey Liuget is also available in his mock draft. Kirwin has him lasting to the Vikings at 43. I think he's a legit (see what I did there) 3-technique talent that could step in from day one and start for the Bears, and he would be who I would take at 29 if the actual NFL draft were to go this way.

In the second round he has the Bears addressing their wide receiver needs with Boise State Titus Young (5'11" 174). Not a bad player, but not the big wide out the Bears need. He's another fast player that isn't known for his route running, and he's a bit too raw technically for the Bears to select.

If the actual draft were to go the way he predicts, I'd be ticked off if Angelo didn't take Penn State center Stefan Wisniewski. He could compete for guard as a rookie, and eventually replace Olin Kreutz at center. Wisniewski is an intelligent football player that has the bloodline to succeed in the NFL.

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Comments

I agree

I’d be surprised if the draft fell this way and that even if it did that this is what the Bears did. I know JA tends to draft defense over offense but I think he’d go OL or DL before CB. I think he’d take a DT or an OL at 29 and then possibly a CB in round 2. I’d be pretty mad if he picked Titus Young in the 2nd round because we already have two guys like that in Knox and Hester for the most part.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.

by Sam Householder on Mar 15, 2011 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

I'd be fine with a DT in the 1st as long as there are no clear options for the oline left....

I agree with you about the Young pick as well. At that point they can get a bigger receiver like his teammate Austin Pettis or if he falls that low a guy like Leonard Hankerson. But I agree with Lester and think they should draft a highly rated C like Wisniewski if he’s available. Who knows maybe JA to trade’s up with the Pats and gets a guy like Costanzo but I highly doubt that. For some reason though my gut is telling me that even if a guy like Carimi or Sherrod is still available Angelo would draft a DT anyway.

by frenchbears113 on Mar 15, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

my gut tells me

that if Liuget is on the board, he’s a Bear.
Why take a flyer on a CB/S type in the 1st? and Young in the 2nd makes no sense at all.

Superman wears an Urlacher Jersey under his costume

by BearNecessities on Mar 15, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Just read this over at the Tribune......

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/03/bears-eye-big-receiver-in-boise-states-pettis.html

by frenchbears113 on Mar 15, 2011 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it's time to put to rest the ideas of what Martz likes or doesn't like

His offense changed dramatically as the year progressed… maybe he’ll want a go get it WR to compliment the speed guys on the roster. Maybe this is a new Mike Martz that accepted the challenge of building his playbook around his talent.

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 15, 2011 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions

I saw that

I like it wore than Young. Plus Pettis is supposed to be like 3rd rounder, right? At least that’s the grade on him I saw like a month ago.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.

by Sam Householder on Mar 15, 2011 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Saw this yesterday and commented in the Den on it.

I think what Kirwan is pointing out is that the OL depth in this year’s draft is not as deep as the year Chris Williams was selected. After the first 4-5 OLs selected, the pool is good, but not “1st round quality”.

The Patriots have the 28th pick and Pouncey is projected to fall somewhere between 26-28. At that point, you have OLs with a lot of “upside”, but none that can make an impact from week 1.

Also, there will be a run on DLs in the first round with—potentially— 11 to 12 DLs selected in the first round. In fact, the top two picks could be DLs (certainly 2 of the top 3).

I think Aaron Williams is a solid CB with good covering skills and instincts. If he is available and the draft goes as Kirwan is projecting (which isn’t a bad mock), then Williams has first round potential and wouldn’t be a bad selection.

I do have problem with his 2nd round selection of Titus Young, who is no different than the WRs we already have on roster. He runs routes smoothly and comes off the line well in videos, but that was because he had 6’3, 209lb Austin Pettis matching up on the other side.

I don’t think this is the pick for the Bears, nor do I think Angelo would pull that one off (I hope), but I do see there being a number of impact WRs available in the 2nd round.

Semper Fi

by ChicagoMarine on Mar 15, 2011 11:50 AM CDT reply actions

I fear Williams is too slow

I’m tired of the Bears taking DBs without top speed… He’s billed as a physical player with tackling issues. Something that’s coachable and he’ll quite possibly be a good fit for a zone scheme.

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 15, 2011 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Pro Day he ran mid 4.4s

… I think the speed becomes a factor only when a player doesn’t have instincts.

Some of the top DBs in the league weren’t necessarily 4.3 speed.

I like the kid and he had a great Senior Bowl performance. He’s not an “injury risk” as Chris Williams was several years ago and he fills a position of need with the criteria we ALL have been looking for (height and instincts).

Semper Fi

by ChicagoMarine on Mar 15, 2011 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions