Krafd’s official draft predictions
Today is the day! The NFL draft is here and the rumor mill is heating up. Bears fans are excited to see how the Bears will approach their first NFL draft under new head coach Ben Johnson. Will the Bears trade up to secure the player they want, giving up one of their valuable 2nd round picks in the process? Will they stay put at 10 and draft the best player available? Will they trade back and add more draft picks in a very deep draft? No one seems to have any idea, and it seems that’s the way Ryan Poles wants it. I’ll give my best shot at predicting what the Bears will do over the next few days in what will be a crucial draft for the future of the Chicago Bears.
1st Round, Pick 10( or a possible trade up? )- Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State
The Bears need help in the run game in a major way. A plug and play 1,200 yard stud running back to pair with D’andre Swift would go a long way in providing that help. By all accounts the Bears are in love with Jeanty, and may even profess their love by trading up further into the top ten to grab him. While I’m not an advocate for trading up, I do believe the chances of Jeanty being available at 10 are higher than than some are currently giving credit for. Jeanty may very well be the one player the Bears can draft in the first round that would be an immediate starter for this team. That is too good for the Bears to pass up on.
2nd Round, Pick 39- Luther Burden WR Missouri
Ben Johnson has stated very clearly the importance of the slot receiver in his offense, and with pick 39 the Bears stay on the offensive and get their guy in Burden. I’m of the belief that Burden is the second best receiver in this draft, and was criminally under utilized in Missouri’s offense in his final season at the collegiate level. If he’s available at 39, the value here is too much for the Bears to ignore.
2nd Round, Pick 41- Nic Scourton DE Texas A&M
The Bears get their pass rush specialist in the second round. Scourton is a 6’4” 285 pound monster who has a knack for getting after the QB. Dennis Allen could desperately use a guy like this, and he fits his defense perfectly. I’ve seen mocks with Scourton going as high as the late first round, but there is a real likelihood he will be available at 41. If the coaches on this team can help Scourton improve in his run defense, this would be another steal for the Bears.
3rd Round, Pick 72- Andrew Mukuba S Texas
Bears fans have been screaming so loudly that the Bears’ most slept on need is safety that the need isn’t so slept on anymore. Byard is in the final year of his deal and Brisker has had consistent and concerning issues with head injuries throughout his career. Mukuba is good enough to be a starting safety in this league sooner rather than later. He’s a ball hawking safety who also has the ability to level bone crushing hits. If Brisker stays healthy this season Mukuba can develop for a year and fill a rotational role in the defensive backfield. If either Brisker or Byard goes down I can see Mukuba filling in admirably at either starting strong or free safety early on.
5th Round, Pick 148- Mitchell Evans TE Notre Dame
Cole Kmet was paid like a tight end one by the Bears not too long ago, and I think they would like to see if Ben Jonson can actually get tight end one production from him in this new offense. That being said, the Bears are still in need of a tight end two. Mitchell Evans fits that bill well, with the potential to turn into something more. Evans has the ability to line up in multiple positions through multiple formations, making him a high upside tool in Ben Johnson’s offense to compliment Kmet.
7th Round, Pick 233- Shaun Dolac LB Buffalo
We’re in the 7th round guys, time to throw some darts. The Bears need depth at LB after letting Jack Sanborn walk. Dolac is projected by some outlets to go undrafted, but he’s a tackling machine who’s getting a lot of love from film buffs throughout the league. If you’re looking for a low risk/ high reward LB to take a shot on, Dolac is my guy.
7th round, Pick 240- Desmond Watson DT Florida
I’ll admit, this one’s just for fun. My cohost for Four Stars Chicago Sports Kyle Duplacey threw this guys’ name out a couple of weeks ago on the Halas Hall Hangover as a DEEP SLEEPER in this draft, and where better to take a chance on a guy like this than at pick 240. Watson is a 6’5” 464 pound nose tackle who actually tested pretty well athletically,(for his size,) in the pre draft process. At best he can serve in a LIMITED rotational role on this Bears defensive line, at worst the Bears will go down in history as drafting the heaviest man in the history of the NFL. Also, there is a need at defensive tackle for this team that I wasn’t able to address earlier.
I LOVE THIS DRAFT!
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BEAR DOWN!
