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With all but eight teams eliminated from post season play, Mock Draft season is really starting to ramp up. And now with the O.G. Draftnik, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., dropping his first mock draft of the season, it's on.
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace has said time and time again that he believes in taking the best player available, regardless of position. His first draft class proved that to be true.
Pace may have similar grades on multiple players, and if the difference isn't that great he'll of course lean towards need, but he claims he won't reach to fill a need with a player that isn't rated as high as another.
The 2016 Bears have needs all over their roster, and in the first mock draft by Mel Kiper he has the Bears filling a need with the 11th pick. Since his mock is behind a paywall, we can't show you the entire thing, but here's who he has the Bears drafting.
11. Chicago Bears
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
The Bears have a tradition of great linebackers in the middle, from Dick Butkus to Mike Singletary to Brian Urlacher -- who is coming for my hair. Ragland can be the next one, and not only can he be an immediate starter in the middle, he can do so with some system familiarity coming out of Nick Saban's 304 defense.
Here are the 10 players ha has off the board before he picks Ragland to the Bears; Joey Bosa (DE, Ohio St), Jared Goff (QB, Cal), Laremy Tunsil (OT, Ole Miss), DeForest Buckner (DE, Oregon), Jalen Ramsey (DB, Florida St.), Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame), Laquon Treadwell (WR, Ole Miss), Shaq Lawson (DE, Clemson), Vernon Hargreaves (CB, Florida) and Myles Jack (LB, UCLA).
Do you guys think Kiper is reaching for Ragland at 11?
Is there a better player available to take at that spot for GM Ryan Pace?
Sound off in the comment section.
Also make sure you guys are staying on top of all our NFL Draft coverage in Windy City Gridiron's Draft Section and be sure all you guys on Twitter and following our resident draft expert EJ Snyder (@thedraftsmanFB).
Do it.