Chicago Bears: Mocking The Entire 2017 Off-Season

57. A polished and proven pass rusher. Derek Barnett had 32 sacks in his career at Tennessee. This is the SEC conference, so he’s not inflating his numbers against inferior competition. The edge rush has burst, bend and the explosion to finish fast before a quarterback can react. Just a natural instinct for penetrating the backfield. Don’t forget Willie Young will be 32 next year and Pernell McPhee has knee question marks.. DE. Tennessee. Derek Barnett . 1. player

Odds are it won’t matter who the Bears take early in the draft at quarterback. John Fox won’t start them. He’s never been a fan of rookies in general. Much more likely he let one of his veteran QBs take the helm and let the young man learn. That is the ideal scenario for Patrick Mahomes. He may have more upside than anybody in the class. A big, strong quarterback with a powerful right arm that can strike receivers with accuracy down the field. Also mobile and able to keep plays alive.. QB. Texas Tech. Patrick Mahomes . 2. player. 57

TE. Clemson. Jordan Leggett . 3. player. 57. The loss of Zach Miller really hampered the offense for the rest of this season. Having a quality tight end who could catch passes made life easier on the quarterbacks and for OC Dowell Loggains. Good thing this draft has loads of options. Jordan Leggett is one of several. He’s got that big body with the wide catch radius to go along with the speed and strong hands. He understands how to get open and can make the tough catches in big moments.

57. Going into this year Eddie Jackson was considered a 1st round prospect. Then he was lost for the season to injury. That will hurt his stock, especially considering he has just one year of experience at safety. Nevertheless he looks like a natural for the free position. A former cornerback with the range and ball skills to make plays in coverage. Something the Bears have searched desperately for through two off-seasons already. Put him and Jefferson next to each other and that’s an intriguing combo.. S. Alabama. Eddie Jackson . 4. player

OT. Western Kentucky. Forrest Lamp . 5. player. 57. Many have vented their frustration over the mediocrity at tackle with Charles Leno and Bobby Massie. Even so the draft likely won’t offer immediate solution. The best they can hope for is a developmental project who can provide depth and upside. Forrest Lamp is the ideal example. He’s enjoyed a great career at Western Kentucky, showcasing his ability to pass protect and movement in the ground game. Given enough time to add power to his frame, he could be a sleeper.

6. player. 57. Even with Jeffery back the Bears know they can’t stop trying to retool the receiving corps. Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson are both likely gone. Kevin White is now an injury risk. They must consider finding some depth to help the passing game. Josh Malone has been hidden from most eyes due to playing in a suspect offense at Tennessee, at least when it comes to throwing the football. Still, he’s a big target who makes the most of his chances when the ball does come his way.. WR. Tennessee. Josh Malone

An injury really stunted the growth of Facyson at Virginia Tech. The 6’2″ kid flashed tons of playmaking potential as a freshman but hasn’t been able to replicate those same ball skills over the past couple seasons. That’s why most have him as a late round pick. He’s got talent but his instinct and aggressiveness seem to have tapered off. Still, Vic Fangio is known for being good with unheralded cornerbacks and he loves them big.. CB. Virginia Tech. Brandon Facyson . 7. player. 57