Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Chicago Bears Take OT Mike Adams
Published by Zach Kruse on February 16, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
In his second mock draft of the 2012 NFL draft season, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has the Chicago Bears taking Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams with the 19th overall pick in the first round.
Adams’ name is no stranger to the Bears’ first-round pick, as several mock drafts have Chicago either taking Adams, another offensive tackle or a receiver at No. 19.
Here is what Kiper had to say about Adams’ fit in Chicago:
We know the Bears will be looking for help at wide receiver, but just because the offensive line could be characterized as semi-adequate doesn’t mean they should make the mistake of neglecting it and letting it fall apart again. Mike Tice knows as well as anybody that Jay Cutler can be successful in the passing game first if he’s not getting hit on every play. Adams is a guy who I’ve come around on, because he simply knows how to protect the pocket. He can slide his feet and doesn’t get beat inside, but he has the length and technique to protect the edge.
The Bears’ need for offensive line help is no secret.
While Chicago used a first-round pick last April on right tackle Gabe Carimi from Wisconsin, the left side under J’Marcus Webb has been a roller-coaster affair that the Bears probably want to avoid in the long-term.
Webb has shown flashes at times to be a serviceable left tackle, but he makes far too many physical mistakes that often lead to his quarterback being hit. According to Pro Football Focus, Webb allowed 12 sacks, six quarterback hits and 30 pressures in 2011. His overall grade on the year ranked him 67th out of 76 eligible offensive tackles.
There were also mental mistakes, as Webb committed the most penalties (14) by an offensive lineman in 2011.
In the end, drafting a first-round talent to bookend with Carimi could be more important than adding a receiver for Jay Cutler.
Adams has been shooting up draft boards, too.
National Football Post now has the 6’8″, 320-pound Buckeye as their No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 20 prospect overall. In terms of offensive tackles, he’s one spot below Matt Kalil—a sure-fire Top-Five pick—and one spot above Riley Reiff, who many others consider a Top-15 talent.
Here’s what NFP had to say about Adams:
He’s a talented kid with a big frame, long arms and natural movement skills. He can bend and if he can put it all together and continue to improve his footwork he could certainly mature into a starting caliber left tackle in the NFL.
While I think many Bears fans will be clamoring for a receiver like Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd at No.19, the smart pick in the back half of the first round is likely going to be an offensive tackle. Finding an impact receiver later in the draft is a far easier task than finding a potential starting left tackle in subsequent rounds.
Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com
