Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on March 22, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

With not much else going on with the Bears right now as we wait for something to happen with the lockout, at least we have the possibilities of the 2011 NFL draft to give us something to look forward to with the Bears.  While the NFL isn’t doing much right now in terms of free agency or player movement, the 2011 NFL draft is going to take place, which means that each and every team needs to use this draft wisely because it may be the only way that they get in some players that they want this offseason.

The Bears have many needs on the team and need to draft wisely this year so that they can fill those needs, make themselves better for next season and for the future.  With some of these needs glaringly obvious it’s easy to see what the Bears need to do in the draft but there are questions as to when they will pick a player, at what position and whether or not they will pick the right players for their needs.

Round 1, Pick 29: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Hands down, Chicago needs to go get some help for its offensive line right away in this draft.  The Bears should be able to find a good offensive lineman at this point in the draft because the best linemen are grading out to be middle-to-late first-round picks.  Can they find someone that can come in and start right away on the offensive line?

Carimi is the kind of guy that the Bears could covet because of his ability at the offensive tackle position and because he comes from a school that has produced some solid offensive linemen in the past (see Cleveland’s Joe Thomas as one example).  Carimi would be able to step in at the left tackle position allowing for current starter Frank Omiyale to shift back to right tackle or, because J’Marcus Webb has stepped it up at the right tackle position, remain in reserve.

Round 2, Pick 30 (62nd Overall): Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson

The Bears seem to have fixated themselves on Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget but if they choose to go for an offensive lineman in the first round Liuget will be gone by the time they make their pick in the second round so it’s possible that they could look to fill that need in the second round.  I have mocked Jenkins to the Bears a few times (in the second round) this offseason and feel that he would be the best choice for the Bears here in the second round.

Jenkins needs a little bit of fine-tuning but he can step in and play in a rotation right away and perhaps work his way in as a starter a little bit further down the road (during the 2011 season even).  He’s got good talent, can play both the run and the pass well enough and has a ton of upside.

Round 3, Pick 29 (93rd Overall): Ras-I Dowling, Virginia

There will be a multitude of cornerbacks worthy of being picked here in the third round and with the Bears needing to add some depth at the position they could be interested in taking one here.  Dowling has had his ups and downs but with some experience he could turn out to be a pretty nice player at the position when it’s all said and done.

Some other players that Chicago might be interested in at this point include the two lower-rated cornerbacks from Texas Curtis Brown and Chykie Brown as well as Ohio State’s Chimdi Chekwa.

Round 4, Pick 30 (126th Overall): DeMarcus Love, OG, Arkansas

The Bears are going to have to do something about the guard position because Roberto Garza isn’t getting any younger on one side and it’s tough to predict how converted tackle Chris Williams is going to do on the other.  Getting a guard at this stage in the draft would be a great idea because, as Garza does have a little bit left in the tank, Chicago could bring someone in and let them learn allowing them to ease into the position.

This would give any rookie a better chance of making it than just throwing him in and seeing if he sinks or swims.  With some additional experience, Love could be the kind of guy that would be able to “swim” if he’s given a chance and he could be a starter in year two with the Bears.

Round 5, Pick 29 (157th Overall): Doug Hogue, LB, Syracuse

It’s well known that the Bears are both in need of a linebacker and have shown some interest in Houge so here in the fifth round, where Houge should be available, Chicago could grab the Syracuse linebacker.  Depth at the linebacker position is critical and the Bears head into the draft with little depth (with just a couple of players under contract) and a need to shore up the position.

Houge is an interesting prospect with good speed, a feel for the game and a lot of passion for it.  He’s still a little bit of a project but the Bears aren’t looking for a “right out of the gate” starter if they were to take him in the fifth round.  He can blitz the quarterback, can play the run well and is intelligent.  He has had some very minor injury concerns and, as mentioned, does need some time to develop but he could be someone that the Bears look at in the draft.

Round 6, Pick 30 (190th Overall): Tori Gurley, WR, South Carolina

The Bears are going to have to add to their wide receiver corps and could find a decent prospect later in the draft.  Gurley is an interesting prospect because he has the size (coming in at just a little over 6’4”) that the Bears would be looking for in a wide receiver but he needs some development and may not be able to be a solid contributing receiver right out of the gate.

Gurley is a very physical receiver that likes contact and isn’t afraid to take a hit.  He can get up and get the ball well and can be a solid red-zone threat.  He doesn’t have the ideal speed that you would look for in a No. 1 wide receiver but he could be effective in the red zone for the Bears and be a solid third-round target. 

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