About three weeks ago we spotlighted the Mock Draft from the three mock drafters of CBSSports.com. What made their take so interesting was all three mockers had the Chicago Bears taking someone different at 14. Here's who they had the Bears taking pre-combine.
- Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State from the Rob Rang mock
- Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State from the Dane Brugler mock
- Hasean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama from the Pete Prisco mock
This time out they have five mock drafters doing their thing at CBSSports.com, but for the purpose of this Mocking The Mocks, I'll only spotlight the four that did mocks this week.
1) With the 14th pick in Rob Rang's mock draft, the Chicago Bears select, Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State. Here's his take on the pick.
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State: Given the Bears' toothless defense a season ago and the highly explosive offenses of the NFC North, Chicago is almost certain to select a defender with their first pick of the 2014 draft. Though he only emerged as a full-time starter at Florida State in 2013, Jernigan's combination of burst, agility and power makes him one of the draft's most intriguing talents.
For me the defensive tackles at 14 comes down to Jernigan and Aaron Donald of Pittsburgh. Jernigan is bigger, but Donald seems a bit quicker off the snap. If the Bears pass on one for the other, Bears fans will link their accomplishments forever.
2) With the 14th pick in the Dane Brugler mock draft, the Bears take... Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State, and here's his reasoning behind the pick.
The Bears need to add depth in the secondary and the interior defensive line in the offseason. When Jernigan is explosive off the ball and uses his combination of athleticism and natural strength, he's a tough player to block in the middle as a 1-technique.
His mock also favors Jernigan over Donald. The size factor will play into it some teams, but Jernigan is only 1 inch and 14 pounds bigger than Donald. Both players look good on film, but Donald had the crazy combine numbers, and he actually had better statistical production in 2013.
Who would you take out of these two?
3) In Pete Prisco's mock draft, he has the Bears taking Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State at #14, and here's his always in depth analysis.
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State: Charles Tillman is a free agent and they need help opposite Tim Jennings.
I like Dennard, I just believe that if the Bears don't fix the d-line, it won't matter much who's playing in their secondary. If the Bears address their defensive line in free agency, I'd be fine with them going corner at 14, but they better get an impact free agent.
4) With the 14th in the Pat Kirwan 2014 mock draft, the Chicago Bears select Hasean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama, and here's what Kirwan said about his pick.
Hasean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama: Nothing has changed here in a week. The Bears have to replace Chris Conte at safety.
An upgrade from Conte would be nice, but he is the only safety on the roster. I hope the Bears have a plan for strong safety in place before finding a new free safety.
While I think Clinton-Dix is the best safety prospect in the draft, and he would be a big help for the Bears defense, the Bears need to address the trenches first. Handle the d-line, then get after the secondary.
Now it's your turn...
Check out these mock drafts and let us know if you agree with the direction these NFL experts took.