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The Chicago Bears began the 2017 NFL Draft with seven draft picks, but through some wheeling and dealing, they ended up only making five picks. Their class wasn’t met with much fanfare upon completion of the draft, and while some have come around on general manager Ryan Pace’s third class, many are still disappointed in the draft.
In case you missed it, here’s the Bears’ 2017 haul.
1st Round - Mitchell Trubisky, QB
2nd Round - Adam Shaheen, TE
4th Round - Eddie Jackson, S
4th Round - Tarik Cohen, RB
5th Round - Jordan Morgan, OG
Today, we want to know which 2017 Chicago Bears draft pick was your favorite?
Keep in mind, last year when we posed this exact same question, the overwhelming favorite was defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. Although to be fair, most fans liked Chicago’s 2016 draft class.
Here’s some of what is being said about these five prospects.
- Right before the draft, NFL.com’s Gil Brandt, a longtime NFL guy, had this to say about Mitchell Trubisky.
Trubisky -- whose nickname is "Mr. Biscuit" -- had a breakout 2016 season after being a part-time backup in North Carolina for two years. He has outstanding accuracy, a quick release and good anticipation, and he throws a very catchable ball. In this exercise last year, I said I wouldn't be surprised if Carson Wentz started as a rookie, and I feel the same way about Mr. Biscuit this year.
- ESPN Insider, Todd McShay, called tight end Adam Shaheen, Chicago’s best draft pick.
The Bears needed an infusion of youth at tight end, with Zach Miller turning 33 this season and coming off an injury. Shaheen, who ran an impressive 4.79 40 at 278 pounds, has the tools to develop into a difference-making starter in the NFL. What I liked most about this move: The Bears could've taken Shaheen at pick No. 36, but they traded down to 45, picking up an extra fourth-rounder (RB Tarik Cohen) and a 2018 fourth.
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks said that Shaheen “is a rugged "Y" with the size, speed and strength to dominate the middle of the field as a featured pass catcher.”
- As soon as the Bears picked Eddie Jackson, I figured he’d be in the mix to start at free safety. He has that kind of ceiling. CBSSports picked Jackson as the Bears most likely rookie that will be a plug and play player.
As much as any player the Bears chose, Jackson fits here. He may have a slow start at camp after breaking his leg last year. Jackson has a reputation for being able to direct a secondary from the deep spot against dangerous SEC receivers. The Bears haven't had this ability from a young player in more than a decade. However, they already had signed veteran Quintin Demps to do this. The defensive emphasis has usually been on two-deep safety formations even though they play a 3-4, so Jackson could have a better chance to be on the field along with Demps in passing situations and eventually be a starter.
- CBSSports named Tarik Cohen as the most likely Bears’ rookie to surprise.
He can fit well into Chicago's overall scheme. With excellent hands, speed and cutting ability, he will be a niche player. Some instantly compared this pick to Garrett Wolfe, the former undersized Northern Illinois back who was on special teams and was a backup running back for a few years with the Bears. While they are similar in height and weight, Cohen has a much stronger lower body and runs through tackles with greater burst, while also possessing better open-field moves. He has large hands that make him a good target for screens.
This selection obviously puts running back Jeremy Langford under the microscope. He has no special teams ability, and after showing promise as a rookie back, Langford took a huge step backward in 2016 with nagging injuries and lack of production. Cohen is more of a classic third-down back than Langford, with better receiving abilities. He might be a good complement to hard-running Jordan Howard, who last year struggled to hang onto screen passes.
- SB Nation called Jordan Morgan a “road grader” and a prospect that “thrives in the run game.“
This isn't a sexy pick, but the 22-year-old was a stalwart at left tackle for Kutztown University. Unlike a lot of offensive linemen in the draft, Morgan carved out a role on the Golden Bears as a walk-on.
Chicago is getting an offensive lineman who loves to get dirty in the run game. He only missed one game out of his collegiate career, so his durability isn't a question.
Poll
Which 2017 Chicago Bears draft pick was your favorite?
This poll is closed
-
44%
1st Round - Mitchell Trubisky, QB
-
26%
2nd Round - Adam Shaheen, TE
-
22%
4th Round - Eddie Jackson, S
-
5%
4th Round - Tarik Cohen, RB
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1%
5th Round - Jordan Morgan, OG