2015 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears 7 Round Mock Draft 2.0

Thanks to the folks over at Fanspeak, we have access to their wonderful On The Clock Draft Simulator again this year. It's a fun tool to help us go through the draft process and learn about some potential prospects for the Chicago Bears.

A couple weeks ago I simmed through a full 7 round mock draft for the Bears, but I stuck to a fairly rigid best player available philosophy. For my mock 2.0, I figured I'd take a much different approach. Since many Bears' fans are clamoring for Chicago general manager Ryan Pace to trade back and stock up on picks, I did exactly that.

In four separate deals I was able to turn Chicago's 6 draft picks into 10 selections. I moved the 7th overall pick to the Browns for their 1st rounder (1-12) and 2nd round pick (2-11). I swapped that 2nd round pick (2-11) to the Chargers for their 2nd rounder (2-16) and an additional 4th (4-18). I then traded the Bears' 3rd round pick (3-7) to the 49ers for their 3rd (3-15) and 4th (4-27). And finally I moved that 4th (4-27) to the Bengals for their 5th (5-21) and 6th (6-21).

Now the odds on the Bears actually doing this are slim, but that's not the point. The point is to spotlight some players in the draft that could be wearing Navy and Orange next year. There are way to many variables in the actual draft (failed drug test, injury, scheme fit, trades, arrest, unexpected retirement, etc.) in order for any mock to be spot on.

But with that being said, make sure you check out my selections and let me know which direction you would have gone if you were making theses same picks.

I used the draft board of SB Nation's Mocking The Draft.

First Round - Pick 12: Trae Waynes, Cornerback, Michigan State
Waynes is probably the top corner prospect on most teams' draft boards. He has good height (6') and a slight build (186 lbs), but he can flat out fly (4.31 forty). He could probably add a few pounds, but at Michigan State he played a physical brand of coverage. The big knock of Waynes is he gets a bit handsy, but I'd rather a defensive back be too aggressive, than play passive.

Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com compares Waynes to last year's top pick of the Bears, Kyle Fuller.

Even with today's signing of Alan Ball, the Bears still could use some playmakers in the secondary. Ball will be 30 and his deal is only for 1 year. and Tim Jennings will be 32 before the 2015 season ends. Financially speaking, the Bears could easily move on from Jennings' deal next off season.

Second Round - Pick 7: Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin
With Matt Forte entering his contract season, the Bears could use a viable option to eventually take over. They did draft Ka'Deem Carey last year, but that was a Phil Emery pick. Gordon is a first round talent, but with the way teams have devalued their priority on the position, he may slip to the 2nd round.

Second Round - Pick 16: Jordan Phillips, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma
Phillips has the girth (329 lbs) and strength (28 reps on the bench) to be a 2 gap player on the nose, but he has the length (6'5") to play as a 5 technique DE. He's surprisingly quick on film and he has the ability to shoot gaps and split double teams.

Third Round - Pick 15: Phillip Dorsett, Wide Receiver, Miami
His 4.33 forty at the NFL combine was the 2nd fastest among all wide receivers and third fastest overall. Dorsett missed the 2013 season because of an MCL tear, but he seems to have left concerns over that in the past. In 2014 he had 10 receiving touchdowns with a 24.2 average per reception.

His size (5'10", 185) probably makes him best suited to the slot, but he has the speed and quickness to win anywhere on a football field.

Fourth Round - Pick 7: Marcus Hardison, Defensive Tackle, Arizona State
At first glance the 6'3", 307 pound Hardison looks like a defensive tackle, but he has the quickness to play defensive end. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compares him to former Bear Henry Melton, who began his NFL career as a DE before moving to a 3-Tech DT. With 10 sacks last year at ASU, he showed scouts he could get to the QB from the interior. I think he could be a 5-Tech DE prospect for the Bears.

Fourth Round - Pick 18: Jeff Heuerman, Tight End, Ohio State
Heuerman is the only player I picked that also appeared in my first mock. The Bears will run some 2 TE sets and another talented "move" TE would come in handy. Heuerman wasn't able to do all the drills at the combine because of an ankle injury, but he was healthy at his pro day and impressed scouts with his athleticism.

Fifth Round - Pick 6: Sean Mannion, Quarterback, Oregon State
Bears' GM Ryan Pace has said that he's always on the lookout for quarterbacks and that he would have no problem drafting one every year. Mannion is a 4 year starter at Oregon State that looks the part of an NFL QB. He's 6'6" with an over the top release and he played in an NFL style offense. He's not the fleetest of foot, but one NFL scout said, "he flashes NFL potential in every game you watch."

Fifth Round - Pick 21: Ladarius Gunter, Cornerback, Miami
Gunter is another big corner (6'1", 202) to add to the mix, but he did play some free safety at Miami. Just give him to to a good defensive backs coach and let him develop.

Sixth Round - Pick 7: Titus Davis, Wide Receiver, Central Michigan
Scouts love Davis' route running, his hands and his football IQ, but his athleticism is a question mark. He was highly productive in the Mid-American Conference, averaging over 80 receiving yards per game over 45 career games.

Sixth Round - Pick 21: Andy Gallick, Center, Boston College
Gallick has 41 starts at center to go along with 2 All-ACC selections. He's a heady and aggressive player that comes from a  program known for turning out NFL offensive lineman.

What do you think of this bounty of picks?