Should Bears Think Safety First?

Aug 31, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tre Mason (21) is tackled by Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon (20) at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Cougars 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
With all the work Bears GM Phil Emery has done this off-season acquiring players in free agency, the consensus seems to be that the Bears have the flexibility to do whatever they will in this upcoming draft. Yet There are many who feel Safety is an absolute must contradicting that very thought. I’m not about to sit here and say the Bears are set at safety, because that’s simply not true. However I’m also not going to paint them in a corner and say they must pick a safety 14th overall either.

I do not believe there is justifiable value there. Perhaps in a trade down scenario maybe, but I still don’t see a sure fire all pro in the first round either. I am not as impressed like some are in Hasean Clinton-Dix. I do like Calvin Pryor a lot however, and feel that strong safety is the way to go more than Free safety for the Bears. They need a safety who can blitz, support the run, cause fear in wide receivers thinking about catching balls on crossing, and slant routes, as well as cover Tight ends on seam routes. I know a lot of people are down on Chris Conte after last season, but I still see value there at free safety, and I think the Bears do too. He had a promising season in 2012 and shows the ability to play center-field, and having soft hands to pick off errant passes that come his way.

Pryor is probably the best such player at that position, but even he would be a mistake at 14th overall and in my opinion in the first. There are a few safety’s that will be in the second round, and should fall all the way to 51st overall that have a similar game to Pryor’s.

Deone Bucannon of Washington State is a safety who brings the wood just like Pryor does. He offers the same type of skill set as well to do some of the things you’d do with Pryor. He can blitz, fill holes in the run game, intimidate and even cover some slot receivers, as well as cover Tight ends. Here’s what Rob Rang of cbssports.com has to say about Bucannon:

"First-team All-American whose dependability near the line of scrimmage with 78 solo tackles (tied for 11th in the country) and three forced fumbles and in coverage — six interceptions — underscores his all-around ability.Bucannon’s ideal size, hard-hitting style and fierce competitive nature are exactly what teams seek in a safety. However, his limited flexibility and poor awareness and reaction time in coverage are measured shortcomings."

Telvin Smith played linebacker for Florida State, but reading his scouting report, and watching him play along with his size and frame make him a perfect safety prospect. I know I’m not the only one who see’s this, and I suspect many NFL teams have him in mind as such. Also his experience at linebacker make him a natural to include in on run & pass blitz schemes, and run support overall. He has loose hips which help in coverage, and make him interchangeable at either free safety or strong safety. Positional versatility is a coveted skill set along with being scheme transcendent, and Smith seems to fit that profile flawlessly. Here’s what Orlando Sentinel’s Florida State athletics beat reporter Brendan Sonnone wrote about Smith in a post combine piece:

"Smith, who led FSU’s championship team with 90 tackles in 2013, weighed in at 6-foot-3, 218-pounds, making him light for NFL standards. But Smith offset some of the concerns about his weight on Monday when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, the second best time of all linebackers at the Combine.For a player that will likely be pegged as a hybrid linebacker/safety in the pros, Smith proved he had the raw athleticism to cover wide receivers."

Other possibilities the Bears can look at on day 3 are Craig Loston LSU, Ahmad Dixon Baylor, And Dion Bailey who has played linebacker at USC, and can play free safety too. My super sleeper is Combine snub Dezmen Southward out of Wisconsin. Bears don’t need to pick high to fill the safety void. This way they can pick a linebacker, defensive lineman, or cornerback that justify value in the first.