Last year’s NFL Draft was pretty boring for you- the Chicago Bears fan. No first round pick because of the Jay Cutler trade, but this week should be much more interesting. Despite having such a successful season that yields Chicago picking #29, the Bears have plenty of needs: safety, center, wide receiver, and most overwhelmingly of all- OFFENSIVE LINE!
Specifically tackle, although don’t be shocked if they first look to the other side and take a d-tackle to shore up their weaknesses inside.
Since Tommie Harris is gone, someone like Baylor’s Phil Taylor or Illini stud Corey Liuget could be there when they’re on the board.
By Paul M. Banks
Angelo loves to trade down, and acquire more picks; as he’s done that in roughly a third of his drafts. But I’m not going to predict any trades here in mocking the Bears first three rounds. And remember this on draft day- no NFL team is more loyal to their draft picks than Halas Hall. So if you hate their choices this week/weekend, sorry, these guys are going to be around for awhile.
29. Chicago Gabe Carimi, OT/G, Wisconsin
We know the Bears offensive tackles are TERRIBLE. And we know Jerry Angelo is AWFUL at making personnel decisions! But they need to do something in April, since you and I could probably start at offensive tackle for them. Provided you and I were both 300+ pounds and able to power clean a small battleship.
Carimi, a 6-7, 327 senior from Cottage Grove Wisconsin who’s looking like a top ten pick in April’s draft. Carimi was named preseason First-team All-American by Lindy’s and Consensus Draft Services, as well as first-team All-American and All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports.
He’s shown both power and agility in pushing off defenders and opening holes. He’s arguably the top tackle in this draft, as his physical attributes set him apart from the rest: long arms, quick feet, and solid footwork.
Although he has a lot of experience and size, but he still lacks athleticism and technique. Also, scouts have no idea if he’ll play on the right or left side in the NFL and that could hurt his draft stock. He took over Joe Thomas’ (#3 overall pick in 2007) starting spot protecting the QB’s blind side, and never looked back.
“I was a freshman that year, so I took some technique from him,” Carimi said about what he learned from Thomas.
FOR THE ENTIRE FIRST ROUND MOCK GO HERE
30. Chicago Bears Clint Boling, OT, Georgia
They seriously should consider taking a OL in all seven rounds, just so they can get at least one or two to pan out
FOR THE ENTIRE SECOND ROUND MOCK GO HERE
29. Chicago, Jabaal Sheard, DE/OLB, Pittsburgh
Like almost every other player on Pitt, he was arrested in the past year. That is a cause for concern, especially in today’s NFL. Maybe he’d be better off in a smaller NFL market in a sleepy town with less distractions.
FOR THE ENTIRE THIRD ROUND MOCK GO HERE
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
He does a regular guest spot each week for Chicagoland Sports Radio.com You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and Facebook