About a month ago I looked at the Mock Drafts of Rob Rang and Chad Reuter of CBS Sports.com, both are also Senior Analysts of NFLDraftScout.com. Back then both had the Bears taking offensive tackle Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin. A pick I would like, but this time out they both have Carimi gone before pick 29, so take the jump and we'll see who they are taking for the Bears as of their April 4th Mocks.
In Rob Rang's Mock Draft he has Chicago taking Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder. I really hope Jerry Angelo does not go in this direction. It's not because I think Solder is a bad prospect, I actually think he has the most potential of all the OT's available, it's because I don't think Solder is ready to step in from day 1 and compete for a starting position. The Bears need impact rookies, not projects. He's an athletic freak of nature at 6'8" 319, but he's not the safest of picks. In my opinion if he dosen't pan out as a left tackle, he can't move inside or over to the right side. Here's what Rang had to say:
A former tight end, Solder's rare combination of size (6-8, 319) and athleticism (led all OL with a 4.34 short shuttle) makes him one of the more intriguing offensive tackles in this class and a virtual lock for the first round. Giving up so much leverage at his size, some teams might be nervous about Solder's marginal strength (21 reps at the Combine), which could push him down the board. Mike Tice, a bust as a head coach but one of the league's elite offensive line gurus, could help turn Solder's potential into Pro Bowls.
He's correct that Mike Tice could bring out the best in Solder, but in looking at his mock I'd rather the Bears trade down or go with Marvin Austin the defensive tackle from North Carolina. Rang has him going to Green Bay at 32.
He also has the 2nd round mocked out and he has Chicago selecting Drake Nevis, the 6'1" 294 defensive tackle from LSU. Her's what he had to say about Nevis:
Needing a classic three-technique to take over for the released Tommie Harris, the Bears would be pleased to find the ultra-quick Nevis available late in the second round.
This is a pick I like, however if the Bears went Austin in the 1st, then I'd like to see them go with the Virginia corner, Ras-I Dowling. He has the Packers taking him in the 2nd.
Moving my attention to Chad Reuter's Mock Draft, he has Chicago taking Texas corner, Aaron Williams. After improving on his numbers at his Pro Day I like this pick a bit more, but it's not the direction I would go considering how his mock raft falls. Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod is available in his mock, and that's who I would take. Here's his thoughts on Williams:
The Bears have shown interest in bigger corners like Charles Tillman and Zachary Bowman in the past, and saw the smaller Tim Jennings get beaten badly in the playoffs.
My reason for not taking Williams at 29 is I think it's a bit of a reach. Williams could develop into a solid Cover 2 CB, but if he's a player Angelo covets he'd be better off trading down and taking him in the 2nd.
Reuter also mocked out the 2nd round, and he has Chicago taking Benjamin Ijalana of Villanova.
Another versatile player to help build depth in front of QB Jay Cutler.
Here's a player that played LT in college, but his skill set may allow him to move inside to guard. Most scouts peg him as a guard. He's a tough strong athlete that should be able to compete at guard from day 1.