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When the Chicago Bears hired Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator, it sent mock drafters scrambling to alter how they have the Bears picking. The Bears have never utilized a 3-4 as their base defense and the 3-4 is Fangio's specialty. He may not have the personnel to make an outright switch, but we can assume that he'll begin incorporating some 30 front stuff in 2015.
With an altered scheme on the horizon, mock drafters are starting to mock accordingly. In the latest mock draft from ESPN Insider Todd McShay, he has the Bears taking Washington's 6'2", 340 pound defensive tackle Danny Shelton.
Analysis: It's unclear what scheme new head coach John Fox and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio plan to run in Chicago -- my guess is they'll use something of a hybrid front -- but if they plan to play any 3-4, they'll need some capable bodies. Lamarr Houston and Will Sutton are best at penetrating and disrupting, and their strongest point-of-attack D-lineman, Stephen Paea, is a free agent. Shelton would provide a versatile, big body along the interior, as he commands double-teams against the run and can push the pocket as a pass-rusher. Arik Armstead is another option here, and the Bears also need help at safety and linebacker. But what will they do at the QB position?
Since his mock is behind a pay-wall, we can't show you the entire thing, but here are a few players he still has on the board after taking Shelton at 7 for Chicago. The aforementioned Armstead (DE from Oregon), Florida DE/OLB Dante Fowler, Iowa OT Brandon Scherff and Alabama S Landon Collins.
Pat Kirwan of CBS Sports also has a new mock draft up and he also has the Bears taking Shelton at number seven.
It's just hard to find 345-lb. men that can run and plug up the middle. Shelton can do those things.
Shelton could obviously play the nose in a 3-4 front, but he could also play as a 2 gap DT in a 4 man line. Some scouts believe he can be an instant starter in the NFL. For a player of his size, he has some quickness to his game.
What are your thoughts on Kirwan's mock draft? Can you see Shelton fitting in with the new and improved Chicago defense?