What would you do if you were Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery?
Draft DT Aaron Donald out of Pittsburgh with the No. 14 overall pick in the first round? Others are predicting that the Bears will go with Louisville SS Calvin Pryor. How about some love for Bama FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix?
Clinton-Dix didn’t see the field much as a freshman. In his sophomore and junior seasons combined though, the defensive back totaled seven interceptions, along with 13 pass deflections. Hence, the player once coached by Nick Saban has tremendous instincts to attack the football.
The argument is there for Calvin Pryor too but there’s a stronger push against him. He saw starter’s minutes in all three of his seasons at Louisville, but only collected seven interceptions during that time, the same as Clinton-Dix had in the two seasons that he started. Plus, you know how team websites sometimes “accidentally” change the height of their athletes?
Well, Pryor is listed at 6 feet 2 inches on Louisville’s athletic website, but, on NFL.com’s draft profiles, he’s a full three inches shorter. That’s why you have Scouting Combines. That’s how much of a difference it makes.
On Alabama’s athletic website, Clinton-Dix checks in at 6 feet 1 inch, and it’s the same on NFL.com’s draft profiles. Interesting.
If Bears fans want a safety who can challenge a receiver, as well as by making a last-gasp tackle, Clinton-Dix is the man for the job. Chris Conte, go find another team and ruin their playoff chances.
Phil Emery knows this.
Sure, Aaron Donald’s name should also be in the conversation for the Bears first pick in the draft. He had 29.5 sacks in four seasons at Pittsburgh and a terrific Senior Bowl, which had everyone screaming his name. Of course, the defensive front in Chicago could use another bear (no pun intended) on the line. However, the Bears wouldn’t find an impactful safety as highly regarded as Clinton-Dix or Pryor beyond the first round.
If the organization does look towards the defensive backfield with their first pick, there could be solid options available at DT in the second round, such as Will Sutton.
Arizona State’s big man gained too much weight this season, reportedly adding around fifteen pounds. If he can trim some of that off by next season though, Sutton would provide youthful energy for the Bears, like he did in 2012 for the Sun Devils, where he picked up a career-high 13 sacks.
Whoever the Bears take with the No. 14 pick in the first round, don’t let it surprise you, especially if his name starts with two words: ha, ha.
Cue up Nelson Muntz! “Ha ha”
It’s the most over-hyped draft ever. Delaying it two weeks has made the wait for the NFL Draft unbearable. Phil Emery knows what to do.