WCG Selects Obi Melifonwu in the 2nd round of the 2017 SB Nation Mock Draft

Back on March 27, the annual SB Nation writer mock draft kicked off, and when the Chicago Bears went on the clock in the first round, I went with a quarterback. It was a surprise according to SB Nation’s NFL Draft Editor, Dan Kadar, but back then I had a feeling that Clemson’s Deshaun Watson was the player Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace would target.

I still think Pace prefers Watson over the other top QBs, but I’m not 100% sold on him taking him with the third overall pick. The poll from my Watson selection did get 30% of the voters going with an A and 20% going B, so I guess I didn’t piss most Bears’ fans off.

With my taking a QB in the 1st, I had to go defense in the second round, and at 36 overall I think I got an immediate starter.

35. Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut

Here’s some of what I had to say about my pick of Melifonwu,

I was able to get great value with the 6’4, 224-pound safety from Connecticut. He’s a four-year starter that racked up 118 tackles and four interceptions as a senior. He’s so athletic that some teams are looking at him at corner, but the Bears would just plug him in at safety next to the newly signed veteran, Quintin Demps, and let him grow into his role.

And here’s what Kadar had to say about me taking Melifonwu,

Year after year it seems like the Bears go into the draft needing to take a safety. Hopefully a player like Melifonwu can help them keep that need checked for a long time. Melifonwu's size and athleticism combination has gotten a lot of attention since he was one of the stars of Senior Bowl. But it shouldn't be discounted how well he played in four seasons at Connecticut, finishing with 351 tackles and eight interceptions. As a pro, he can occupy two roster spots with his ability to be used as a safety and in man coverage against tight ends and wide receivers.

What do you guys think about this two round draft haul?

1-3: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

2-35: Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut

Make sure you guys head over here and vote on the letter grade of my 2nd rounder.