With the NFL draft coming tomorrow (already?!), you guys have probably been reading up on who the Bears are going to take with their first pick at number 11.
Names have been thrown around, offensive and defensive guys, but at where they choose first, the Bears are at the point where they’re going to take who’s there. With how good of an off-season they had, especially on the defensive side, I don’t it’s so obvious that they take a guy on the defensive side of the ball anymore. At least not in the first round.
Ezekial Elliot has been heavily rumored lately to Bears. According to reports, they “love” him.
There’s a lot to love.
His final two seasons at Ohio State, the running back racked up 3,700 rushing yards with nearly 400 receiving. Elliot reached the end zone 41 times, including 23 scores in 13 games this past season as a junior.
If Elliot would get to number 11, he would jump into the mix of what could show a little pop in the Bears offense in 2016. Langford and Elliot would share carries, while Ka’Deem Carey sits on the sideline waiting for his shot.
He’s not as versatile as Langford in the offense, at least coming in as a rookie, but it definitely makes a little less hard when it comes to missing Matt Forte. Adding him to the mix of Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White, and Eddie Royal with Jay Cutler, Elliot could be walking into a spot where he could see some success as a rookie.
Elliot finished eighth in Heisman voting in 2015.
Of course, Elliot’s success would be heavily dependent on the Bears’ offensive line, which needs some upgrades.
That leads me to the next option: Ronnie Stanley.
Stanley didn’t blow anyone away at his pro-day, but scouts love the agility he possesses at 6’6 and 312 pounds. Despite some down numbers compared to his first two seasons, his athleticism allowed him to make some mechanical tweaks and not worry anyone.
He started 40 games at Notre Dame, the last 27 at left tackle after Zack Martin was drafted. Stanley allowed only four sacks during that time, with three coming this past season.
I think he slides right into the left tackle role immediately improving this offensive line. After Kyle Long, once again, made the Pro Bowl, and the Bears signed Bobbie Massie, the right side of the line is set. Keeping Stanley on the left side with Matt Slauson would help balance out the line, and prove it to be an underrated core.
Scouts love his upside and athleticism, that allows him to fit in any type of offense. His skill set, including the fundamentals, allows to put him on the line right away with less worry. If Stanley would’ve left after his second season at Notre Dame, he would’ve been the first o-lineman taken.
There’s a lot of upside here. There are some rumors now that say the Chargers could take him at number three, and it may be a stretch that he gets to 11, but if he does, we would have to be happy with the choice.
Another player the Bears could take at 11 is Shaq Lawson.
Lawson is the best defensive end in the draft this season, and definitely the most athletic.
The Clemson product can play down on the line or set up at outside linebacker. Besides his versatility, Lawson is known with a high character, someone the Bears are looking to build upon since Ryan Pace stepped in as general manager. He’s a “safe” pick, as the front office looks for those guys as of late.
To give you an idea, when Clemson played Notre Dame this past season, Lawson had seven tackles (3.5 for loss) against Ronnie Stanley.
His quickness and flexibility allows the Bears to put him anywhere in the outside front seven and create havoc. One comparison has him close to Pernell McPhee, who you should know from the current Bears roster.
In his final season at Clemson, Lawson recorded 24.5 tackles with 12.5 sacks. He burst onto the scene and is projected to go in the top-20, but with a wide array of options depending on the direction each team goes.
This is a reminder that the Bears could go offense or defense. Two months ago I would’ve said they’re going to take all defensive players plus an OL with every pick this year. But they had so much success in free agency, that now I think they take the best player available on their draft board.
That could be Elliot, Stanley, Lawson, or someone else entirely. If I had a preference, I would take Lawson. His athleticism on the line will provide Cutler more time and assistance to allow him to build off his underrated 2015 season. With White healthy, the outside duo of himself and Jeffery will be (for lack of a better term because this fits perfectly) dirty.
Another possibility is the Bears trading down and stockpiling more picks. I don’t see this happening because of the current state the organization is in, but I wouldn’t be totally surprised. They could also trade up, but I think that’s even less likely. The team isn’t as desperate as I think it was before free agency hit.
Last year I was wanting to trade Cutler and trade up for a top pick to draft a new quarterback. Pace and John Fox have really turned my hopes around, and with a good draft the team could compete in 2016.
It starts at number 11.
*Featured image is courtesy of Heavy.com
