The Bear's Den: April 18, 2017

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS DRAFT / PROSPECTS / FREE AGENCY

Campbell: NFL draft position preview - Offensive linemen - Chicago Tribune - Given the need to protect new quarterback Mike Glennon, it would not at all be surprising if the Bears used a Day 2 pick to solidify his blind side.

Wiederer: NFL draft position preview - Defensive linemen - Chicago Tribune - The Bears could benefit from using one of their top two picks on a defensive line standout. But they won't have to force the issue at No. 3 or No. 36.

NFL draft position preview: Inside linebackers - Chicago Tribune - As with most positions on the Bears roster, more talent, depth and competition is needed. But this year's draft class is ordinary at inside linebacker.

Wiederer: NFL draft position preview - Inside linebackers - Chicago Tribune - As with most positions on the Bears roster, more talent, depth and competition is needed. But this year's draft class is ordinary at inside linebacker.

Biggs: There's a lot to like about Bears' Leonard Floyd entering Year 2 - Chicago Tribune - Leonard Floyd flashed glimpses of his massive raw talent in a rookie season in which he had seven sacks in 12 games. He has to be at the center of improvement.

Ryan Pace, Bears Are Men Of Mystery Leading Up To NFL Draft - CBS Chicago - What will the Bears do in the draft? Good question.

Gabriel: The Art, Intricacies Of Trading Up, Down In The NFL Draft - CBS Chicago - The Bears hold the No. 3 overall pick. So what type of picks could they acquire by trading down?

Jahns: A look at the decisions Bears face with No. 3 pick - Chicago Sun-Times - The draft is an unpredictable event. Will Myles Garrett go No. 1?

Finley: Is Obi the one? UConn safety Melifonwu could fit Bears in draft - Chicago Sun-Times - Obi Melifonwu was the last person surprised by his ridiculous NFL Scouting Combine showing.

Finley: Bears might not be in the running for a RB, but class runs deep - Chicago Sun-Times - I’Tavius Mathers left Ole Miss for his hometown for the opportunity, which he hoped would lead to a NFL Scouting Combine invitation.

Finley: Bears report back to work Tuesday, hope to stay healthy - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears are going back to work Tuesday, beginning the first phase of their nine-week offseason program with, they hope, fewer distractions.

Perez: Bears looking to trade down in 1st round - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears are antsy to trade down in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft

Easterling: Chicago Bears 7-round mock draft - The Draft Wire - Check out our full seven-round 2017 NFL mock draft for the Chicago Bears

Mayer: Glennon eager to work at Halas Hall - ChicagoBears.com - At Wrigley Field to throw out the first pitch and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" Friday, new Bears quarterback Mike Glennon expressed his excitement about the start of the offseason program Tuesday.

Greg Gabriel's 2017 NFL Mock Draft | Pro Football Weekly - Pro Football Focus - Four quarterbacks get picked in the top 12

Mayer: Notable players drafted with 36th pick - ChicagoBears.com - The 36th overall pick that belongs to the Bears this year has produced some notable players in past NFL drafts, including Tiki Barber (1997), Chad Johnson (2001) and Derek Carr (2014).

Arthur Arkush's 2017 Mock Draft 3.0: Giants, Cardinals, Chargers land QBs in this two-rounder - Pro Football Weekly - Check out Arthur Arkush's two-round mock draft here

Mayer: Bears ink Acho to one-year contract - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Saturday re-signed veteran outside linebacker Sam Acho to a one-year contract. Last season Acho appeared in all 16 games with six starts.

Fishbain: PFW's NFL Draft 'late risers': Northwestern LB Joe Jones - Pro Football Weekly - Jones showed off rare athleticism at his Pro Day and should get looks for special teams

Hazlett's 7-Round Bears Mock Draft 3.0 - Da Bears Brothers - Brandon is going defensive heavy in the first three picks and offensive heavy with the last four picks. What quarterback does he have the Bears drafting?

DeWitt: Tracy Porter, B.W. Webb, "We the Fans" and the NFL Draft - Da Bears Brothers - In this episode, Da Bears Brothers discuss the recent news surrounding the Chicago Bears including Tracy Porter's release and ESPN's "We the Fans."

Jeremiah: 2017 NFL Draft pro comparisons for 33 top prospects - NFL.com - What about Dalvin Cook reminds Daniel Jeremiah of Jamaal Charles? Put the strengths and weaknesses of future NFL players in perspective with this list of prospect-pro comparisons.

Hot 150: Gil Brandt's top-ranked prospects for 2017 NFL Draft - NFL.com
Gil Brandt goes 150 players deep in his prospect rankings for the 2017 NFL Draft, a list topped by a player who will be a true game-changer for the team that selects him.

Chad Reuter 6-round mock draft: Browns take Trubisky No. 1 - NFL.com - There's been buzz that the Cleveland Browns could take Mitchell Trubisky with the top pick in the draft. In his six-round mock, Chad Reuter investigates the domino effect if that were to happen.

Biggs: Patrick Mahomes' big arm has Bears going deep on research as draft nears - Chicago Tribune - Deshaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky and DeShone Kizer are considered elite quarterbacks in this draft class along with Patrick Mahomes, who believes he's the best.

Moreano: Hold the boo’s, give Mike Glennon a chance - Da Bears Brothers - The fans who booed new Bears’ starting quarterback Mike Glennon at Wrigley Field should be ashamed.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Florio: Roughly 20 NFL teams facing loss of chartered flights - ProFootballTalk - Road trips may soon be getting more interesting for NFL teams. Per a league source, roughly 20 teams may end up without charter arrangements for the 2017 season. According to Forbes. Ken's Note: Next up, players will have to check their carry ons at the gate, and get charged $25 per bag...

Hanzus: J.J. Watt talked into wearing very tight shirt (not hard) - NFL.com - In today's NBA arena experience, it's cool to be a conformist. Texans star J.J. Watt attended Game 1 of the Rockets-Thunder series on Sunday and was shamed for not wearing Rockets gear.

Smith: Referees want NFL to eliminate celebration penalties - ProFootballTalk - NFL fans, players and referees all seem to agree that the league office is too concerned about cracking down on touchdown celebrations. The head of the NFL Referees Association, Scott Green, said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that the on-field officials think the league office is putting them in a diffic...

KNOW THY ENEMY

Noonan: Packers’ 2016 Injuries, a battered secondary dragged down the entire defense - Acme Packing Company - While the Packers overall were in the middle of the pack in terms of overall injuries, they were among the hardest-hit in the defensive secondary.

Kadar's 2017 NFL mock draft: Dan Feeney the choice for Minnesota Vikings - SBNation.com - The Vikings finally get to make a pick and they get a key offensive line piece.

Reisman: Bill Barnwell proposes low-cost Lions trade up scenario - Pride Of Detroit - ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a creative way the Lions could trade up in this year’s draft.

Meinke: 5 job battles as Lions begin offseason program - MLive.com - Nobody's going to win a job on the first day of the offseason program, and nobody's going to lose one either. But the Lions do report for their first day of work today

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: LSU’s all-around stud in Jamal Adams is out to make history. The Bears could oblige him - Windy City Gridiron - It’s been a long time since the Bears had a franchise safety. With Jamal Adams, they’d get the best of more than plenty of worlds.

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears smartest draft pick since 2012 - Windy City Gridiron - SB Nation recently looked at the smartest draft pick for every NFL since 2012 and we spotlight their Chicago Bears selection right here.

Zeglinski: Windy City Gridiron draft roundtable: Our choices at No. 3 overall - Windy City Gridiron - In this four-part series, we’ll take a look at every angle concerning the Bears’ 2017 first-round pick. Today, our choices if in charge of the selection.

Mitchell: Bears Begin Offseason Workouts Tuesday, April 18 - Windy City Gridiron - Voluntary strength, conditioning and fitness workouts begin in Chicago

Zeglinski: Bears are one of three teams "most eager" to trade down in 2017 Draft, per report. As they should be - Windy City Gridiron - With an opportunity at more picks, it looks like the Bears reportedly want to maximize the upcoming draft talent pool.

FANPOSTS

Nadoo: Tracking Prospect Visits and Workouts Part 2 - Windy City Gridiron - Time for round two of tracking prospect visits for the Bears. Again, I'm using the data the good folks at Walter Football have put together. If you're interested you can use their site to track...

IOftenPanic: NFL Draft - Bears Draft Board v2.0 - Windy City Gridiron - Below is how I personally stack this draft's prospects in terms of talent, risk, upside and fit with the Bears. These tiers designate where I would draft a prospect, and not necessarily where I...

FanPosts - Recent - Windy City Gridiron - Here's a link to our FanPost section, where YOU have the opportunity to contribute to Windy City Gridiron. Take a few minutes and write a post about what you are thinking about regarding the Chicago Bears, and there'a chance it will be linked right here in the Den.

DraftWired: Mock using my app - Windy City Gridiron - I gave it my best shot, creating draftwired. Unfortunately it (the app) will probably not be back next year. I have struggled mightily trying to get noticed and unless I find a marketing whiz...

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