A lot of people have Michael Floyd of Notre Dame mocked to the Chicago Bears in their mock drafts. SO before delving into who I have the Bears taking, I should explain why I don’t have them grabbing Floyd; using excerpts from my mock draft to break it all down.
10. Buffalo, Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Buf team needs: OT, DL, WR
With three alcohol related legal offenses during his time in South Bend, you know character concerns will be front and center. Of course, no story about Michael Floyd is complete without mentioning that the true key to his realization of that enormous potential is staying healthy. Floyd led all FBS wideouts in the nation with a 29.09 yards per catch average and he was tied for the national lead in receiving TDs when he suffered a broken collarbone against Michigan State in ’09.
But last year he only missed one game, and had his true breakout year. When you look at his stats and size, you see what makes him a blue-chip prospect. He’s passed up Golden Tate, Jeff Samardzjia and Tim Brown to claim all the major receiving records in ND history.
The big winner of the combine, because 40 time had been a concern surrounding his draft stock, and he ran a sub 4.5. Now he should land anywhere from pick #10-#20. Of course, he did have three alcohol offenses and he did get kicked off the team (only to be reinstated later), so Robert Griffin III he is certainly not. It’s a simple balance equation: the guy who has monster measurables and broke every ND receiving record imaginable versus the character concerns.
Go here for much more on Floyd
19. Chicago Bears, Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Chi teams needs: OT, WR, FS, DL
Weighing in at a solid 6-4, 215, ran a 4.39 40 time, put in a 11-1 broad jump and 39.5-inch vertical. He’s a bit inexperienced, catching just 28 passes, but averaging an eye-popping 29.8 yards per catch. The numbers are skewed because Georgia Tech runs a 1930s service academy football offense.
50. Chicago Bears, Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State
An OG prospect who’s long arm length and bench press reps propelled him from obscurity to a second day guy.
For the complete first round of my NFL mock draft go here.
Here’s the second round of this mock draft.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.