Top 4 defensive players the Bears should draft.

by DaBears33 on Jan 10, 2012 6:31 AM CST

Overall since the beginning of December I have swayed myself over to drafting an offensive player. I watched Michael Floyd play and loved what I seen but since his stock value has improved so much the Bears will most likely not be able to even think of drafting him. So now I am back to defense. There are three current starting positions within the Bears roster they need to improve on and bring in youth. Those current positions are defensive end, strong side linebacker, and strong safety. So here is a list of possible selections the Bears should make with the first round draft pick.

Zach Brown: No not the lead singer from the Zac Brown Band but Zach Brown from North Carolina. I personally really like this guy. He is fast and is ranked number three out of two hundred and twenty OLBs. If he is there and there are no other better options then Brown, he would be a great option for the Bears. Also the Bears can trade Lance Briggs for Brandon Marshall and Brown can take over the weak side linebacker that Briggs currently occupies.

Mark Barron: Currently the best safety within the draft. As of right now the Bears need a lot of help with the strong safety position. The main position the Bears have been missing is a true great safety. Remember when Chris Harris was actually feared? The Bears were more dominate with a dominate safety so drafting one of the best safeties coming out of the draft would be huge for the Bears.

Morris Claiborne: Yes, I do know I didn’t put CB into the list but we need another dominate CB next to Charles Tillman. Tim Jennings is downright not getting the job done and Zachary Bowman; I mean come on Bowman shouldn’t even be in the question if he should start. Overall we have Lance Briggs and two other third round picks. The Bears should either trade Lance Briggs and the 19th overall pick or both the third round picks and the twentieth overall pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars or Miami Dolphins first round pick.

Quinton Coples: Once again the Bears should either trade Lance Briggs and the twentieth overall pick or both the third round picks and the 19th overall pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars or Miami Dolphins first round pick. Of course that is getting me thinking about offense again but for Coples this guy can also be a DE, but would preferably be a DT. Due to his lack of athleticism he cannot turn the corner fast which a DE needs. The greatest addition of this guy is his tackling ability, unlike Julius Peppers Coples can actually finish a tackle.

So what do you all think? Brown, Barron, Claiborne, or Coples? Let me know in the poll and also in the comments.

Poll

Who should the Bears draft?

This FanPost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member, and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.

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Comments

There is a lot of things wrong with your post man, but I like the idea.

1. As much as it would be a possibility, Briggs will not be traded..
2. Not sure if Chris Harris was as feared as you think he was
3.The Bears have the 19th pick, not the 20th.

Wouldnt it be funny if we had another DE with the last name Salters!

by fortefan09 on Jan 10, 2012 6:40 AM CST reply actions

Claiborne and Coples are not likely to fall

Guys like Devon Still, Melvin Ingram, Alfonzo Dennard, Janoris Jenkins, etc. are much more likely to be on the board when the Bears pick. And like fortefan said, Bears won’t be trading Briggs.

You're never a loser until you quit trying - MIke Ditka

by DutchBear on Jan 10, 2012 7:08 AM CST reply actions

Briggs and Marshall

Briggs is probably getting an extension, and Marshall, doubtful to get traded, especially if Miami grabs a QB

Superman wears an Urlacher Jersey under his costume

by BearNecessities on Jan 10, 2012 7:33 AM CST reply actions

It would be a nice trade though.

I would love to get Marshall. I would still rather draft offense though. We have been drafting defense with our high picks forever and spending lots of $ on the d line. these playoffs are all about high powered offensve play and the best defense in the league was 1 and done. they did have a lot of injuries but that happens to a lot of teams.

by Ryan21 on Jan 10, 2012 10:21 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

Are you going to make a top 4 offense pick post too?

by Ryan21 on Jan 10, 2012 10:37 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

i'd take barron for sure

not sure what i think about zach brown yet

by TR MacReady on Jan 10, 2012 9:32 AM CST reply actions

I would like Zac Brown or Quinton Coples if they fell to our pick

But a player I really like is Dre Kirkpatrick. He’s as good of a fit for the Tampa 2 as there is in the draft.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 10, 2012 9:35 AM CST reply actions

Would love a Kirkpatrick pick

Wonder where Janoris Jenkins is going to be drafted after leaving Florida.

If its free, take two.

by T.J. Shouse on Jan 10, 2012 10:03 AM CST up reply actions

I guess it will come down

to how he will interview at the combine. He’s got first round talent for sure though.

You're never a loser until you quit trying - MIke Ditka

by DutchBear on Jan 10, 2012 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

I’d still say he goes top-25, but one team could fall in love with him and grab him top-15 or so. He’ll likely be a steal if he behaves himself as a pro.

by IOftenPanic on Jan 10, 2012 8:33 PM CST up reply actions

Forget about Dre.

I think he’s really good, really top end talent, but… I don’t think he’s even going to fall that far… I have a sneaking suspicion he’s going to be a top 10.

Dennard might be there, but he might not be the ideal fit in the NFCN’s receiver schedule (although, to be fair, Tim Jennings puts up one heck of a battle with Megatron at what is he? Muggsy Bogues sized?) and he’s got the makeup to be just stupid good… I can’t see, unless it’s truly BPA, a CB gets taken on Friday…

I really can’t see anything that’s not offense related being in the cards for Friday.

I like Coples, but I don’t think he last much out of the top 15… but if he’s there when Seattle gets there… If a deal could be made, I wouldn’t be opposed to it…

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 10, 2012 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

I see what you did there.

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by Steven Schweickert on Jan 10, 2012 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

Bringing the heat.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 10, 2012 3:30 PM CST up reply actions

Good players to draft but we need help on the offense

I wouldl ike to see if hes there in the second round Safet yReed from LSU that dude can play..

by tazz34 on Jan 10, 2012 12:18 PM CST reply actions

probably wont step in and contribute right away

time to develop

by TR MacReady on Jan 10, 2012 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

Pass rusher would be great...

Mercilus comes to mind, even over Coples. But I think they’ll both probably be gone by 19. Teams love reaching for pass rushers. So, I voted Zach Brown. Skills and range that you won’t find on the FA market. Brandon Thompson out of Clemson at DT would be a nice fit in between Peppers and Melton. Think Anthony Adams type, but a real 1st round talent. But Zach Brown is my favorite right now. And as for Briggs, give him his payday and move him to strongside.

Bearsh!tt!n It ain't obscene- I'm a Bears fan that likes hittin and exclamation points.

by Bearsh!tt!n on Jan 10, 2012 5:44 PM CST reply actions

The problem with Zach Brown is...

He’s 230 lbs… Tiny for first round talent.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 10, 2012 7:06 PM CST up reply actions

6'2 230

Not great size for first round, but more than plenty enough for the old Tampa 2 weakside LB. And like I keep saying; skills like that and range like that (range that is a weapon) will only help Urlacher age even more gracefully.

Bearsh!tt!n It ain't obscene- I'm a Bears fan that likes hittin and exclamation points.

by Bearsh!tt!n on Jan 10, 2012 8:29 PM CST up reply actions

Somehow, somewhere I got confused.

I blame the bottle of wine I was drinking last night.

Briggs is a fine WLB, putting him as an SLB is probably still wasting his individual talents for the next 2-3 years, and giving him a payday to play on the SLB, which is generally the least important of the two in the system.

6’2, 230 for WLB is fine, i’d like them to be closer to 240, but what really concerns me is his tackling technique… WLB’s in our system (like he did in the at NC) rack up the tackles, but… he’s the prototypical ‘super athletic’ player. You can’t train that, but, you can’t train intelligence and instinct either which he seems to compensate with. I think he can be taught up, but, he’s pretty darn raw as a LB still, which worries me a bit, especially in the first round against solid prospects like Kuechly.

The only way Brown would even get looked at would be if the Bears do not bring Briggs back.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Jan 11, 2012 10:43 AM CST up reply actions

Nothing wrong with that.

I like Kuechly, too. He just seems to be gone in every mock draft I’ve seen. Maybe he drops for no good reason because of his 40 time. I haven’t seen him play but from what I’ve heard, I’d take him.
But if he’s not there, I like Z.Brown. I think the skill/talent that he brings, is less easily duplicated through FA signings.
I just don’t think the pass rushers that would still be available at #19 will be worth it. Same w/ LT, WR and that one HB.

Bearsh!tt!n It ain't obscene- I'm a Bears fan that likes hittin and exclamation points.

by Bearsh!tt!n on Jan 11, 2012 8:46 PM CST up reply actions

Also

I understand the defense Lovie runs. I haven’t always been a fan, only really started to appreciate it the year Urlacher went down. But not necessarily because of what I saw that year. The more ground one LB can cover, the less the others have to cover. And Briggs was a step slow in coverage a few times last year. And that is a lot of money for a system player, put him at SLB and make him earn a raise.

Bearsh!tt!n It ain't obscene- I'm a Bears fan that likes hittin and exclamation points.

by Bearsh!tt!n on Jan 11, 2012 10:06 PM CST up reply actions

Wasn't Briggs was around 230-235 out of college?

Regardless, he probably has the frame to put on ten pounds.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Jan 12, 2012 10:47 PM CST up reply actions

Why on earth would you trade Briggs?

He’s under contract and still one of the best LBs in the league. He shuts up and plays or can sit at home.

Claiborne and Coples are both very unlikely to get out of the top 10. Both are very good prospects, but Jacksonville picks 7th and Miami 8th. With picks costing less money with the new CBA you will have to trade much more to move up than in year’s past. Throw out the old “draft trade chart”. Moving up 11-12 spots is just not going to be worth it.

A CB like Dennard or DE like Mercilus or Ingram will be available and it’s not a significant drop off in prospect potential, plus you keep your other picks.

I don’t understand the logic of trading a Pro Bowl LB (Briggs) and a pick where you can grab a starter (19th) for a slightly better pick and one player. Briggs + Mercilus is better than Coples.

by IOftenPanic on Jan 10, 2012 8:32 PM CST reply actions

I also think the best draft philosophy is to see who falls.

It’s all well and good to target someone, but the cost in extra picks is rarely worth it in my opinion. If you see someone fall to a spot or two ahead of you, maybe you pull the trigger and see if you can’t deal by adding a late pick to move up, but with needs at LT, WR, DE, LB, CB, S… someone good is going to fall to the Bears. WR, LB, CB is deep up top. Would I rather have a Blackmon or Coples than a Floyd or Ingram? Of course. But I’d rather also have Briggs on my team and 6-7-8 picks in a draft as well.

by IOftenPanic on Jan 10, 2012 8:36 PM CST reply actions

Now that Dre Kirkpatrick and Donte Hightower

have declared for the draft, I wouldn’t mind seeing either of those guys wearing a Bears jersey.

by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Jan 12, 2012 7:02 PM CST reply actions

Trade Forte?

Too bad Hightower won’t make it to the Bears.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Jan 12, 2012 10:49 PM CST up reply actions

Where did Trade Forte come from?

by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Jan 13, 2012 6:41 AM CST up reply actions

My bad

I’m mixing up the ’Bama prospects.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Jan 13, 2012 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

I'd rather the Bears sign a FA WR

That way they don’t have to give up their stud WILL.

I like the idea of Barron or Brown if they make it that far.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Jan 12, 2012 10:50 PM CST reply actions

54% of you think the Bears need to draft an offensive play maker?

The Bears last defensive first round pick was 8 years ago! What kind of Bears fans are you? … I like defense.

Bearsh!tt!n It ain't obscene- I'm a Bears fan that likes hittin and exclamation points.

by Bearsh!tt!n on Jan 13, 2012 12:50 AM CST reply actions

Over some pretty good players, too.

Bearsh!tt!n It ain't obscene- I'm a Bears fan that likes hittin and exclamation points.

by Bearsh!tt!n on Jan 13, 2012 1:04 AM CST up reply actions

I am the kind of Bears fan that doesn't question other Bear's fans "fandom" for wanting to draft an offensive player.

"With all due respect, and I mean with ALL due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet paintin' of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."

by CurtisEnisFan on Jan 15, 2012 10:18 AM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't ever question your fandom.

Anybody who calls themselves CurtisEnisFan will not have their fandom questioned by me. You get a pass, but everyone else? I don’t know, maybe I’m too old-school for today’s NFL. The Offense does need some help, a FA signing or three is definitely needed and some draft picks too.
But in the 1st round I want defense, IMO 8yrs is too long for a team with the history of D that the Bears have.

Personally, I voted Zach Brown because I remember Wilber coming in to play w/ Mike and Otis. And Nick Roach ain’t no Al Harris.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUA8RFe562I

Bearsh!tt!n It ain't obscene- I'm a Bears fan that likes hittin and exclamation points.

by Bearsh!tt!n on Jan 15, 2012 3:14 PM CST up reply actions