Chicago Bears 7 Round Mock Draft Version 3.0

When I run through a mock draft I always try and give a different spin on things. I've done the strict best player available draft, I've done the trade down draft, and this time out I'll also go with a BPA philosophy, but the twist is I'm sticking to defense only.

I use mock drafts as a tool to learn more about prospective players. The actual draft will no doubt have many twists and turns, a number of trades will shake things up, and there will be plenty of "I can't believe that guy fell, or "Why would they take that guy so early" moments going on. The only thing I can predict about the 2016 NFL Draft with certainty is that it won't happen like we expect.

So if your sole purpose is to stop by this mock and cry about how "unrealistic" it is, then you may want to lighten up. The actual Chicago Bears draft won't fall this way, but you never know if a few of these guys may be high on Ryan Pace's board when the Bears are on the clock.

The Fanspeak mock draft simulations is just a fun tool to see how various mocks will go. You can run through 1,000 mocks and never have things fall the same way.

Here's the link to my Defense Only BPA draft so you can see what I left on the table as I made my picks.

First Round - Pick 11: Shaq Lawson, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End, Clemson
Lawson played both as a 5-Tech DE and as a 3-4 OLB at Clemson. At 6'3" and 269 pounds, he probably projects to OLB as a pro, but he does have the strength to perhaps stay as a defensive end in some fronts. CBSSports compares him to Bears OLB Pernell McPhee, "Like McPhee, Lawson lacks ideal height and length, but both are well built with violent hands, ball awareness and versatility." Early in his career McPhee played defensive line for the Ravens before settling in as an outside linebacker.

Second Round - Pick 41: Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive End, Ole Miss
A player's off field troubles are often weighed against potential, and with Nkemdiche, teams aren't gonna push him too far down their boards because of his marijuana possession and hotel balcony dive. He's one of the most talented prospects available. No player in the 2016 NFL Draft will be vetted any harder than Nkemdiche (6'3", 294), and if he checks out, he won't fall out of the 2nd round.

Third Round - Pick 72: Darian Thompson, Safety, Boise State
Thompson is a good all around safety prospect that has flashed good ball skills and physicality in college. He had 19 career interceptions and 242 career tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss in 2015. He probably needs to work on reading his keys better, but he has starter traits.

Fourth Round - Pick 106: Jordan Jenkins, Outside Linebacker, Georgia
Jenkins has good speed off the edge, but it's not Von Miller good. He played both the right and left side at Georgia and he played out of a 2 and 3 point stance. He would eventually be able to fill a lot of roles for defensive coordinator.

Fourth Round - Pick 127: Jonathan Jones, Cornerback, Auburn
At 5'9" Jones would most likely need to play the slot corner, but he has the speed to stay with anyone (4.33 forty). Even though he's a little guy, he's not afraid to stick his head in there.

Fifth Round - Pick 150: Scooby Wright, Inside Linebacker, Arizona
Wright didn't test very good at the combine athletically, but when you put on his tape he's a playmaker.

Sixth Round - Pick 185: Dadi Lhomme Nicholas, Outside Linebacker, Virginia Tech
A good athlete that will help in the 3rd phase and eventually work in as a situational pass rusher. He's probably a better fit as a 4-3 OLB at 6'3", 235 pounds, but you can never have enough speedy edge rushers.

Sixth Round - Pick 206: Morgan Burns, Cornerback Kansas State
He was an All American kick returner, but he also started 24 games at corner.

Seventh Round - Pick 230: Travis Feeney, Outside Linebacker, Washington
If it wasn't for an injury history, Feeney would probably project closer to the mid rounds on his athleticism alone. He's 6'4", 230 pounds, with a 4.5 forty, a 40' vertical and he has coverage skills from his early years playing safety. He'll need to bulk up with some muscle in the NFL, but he's worth a 7th round flier.

Do you think the Bears could have any of these players in their sights?