Chicago Bears 2015 Draft Prospects: First Round Flexibility

Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

With the signings of outside linebacker

and safety Antrel Rolle, and with the possible signing of inside linebacker

, the Chicago Bears added some flexibility in their 2015 NFL Draft. Where once everyone assumed they would go defense, they can now look to the offense with their number seven pick. That pick then sets the table for the rest of the draft. Choices are all around for the Bears and the new regime.

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The Chicago Bears did not go all out in free agency this year. They signed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and safety Antrel Rolle (or at least God led him to them), and may possibly sign inside linebacker Mason Foster, but that has just about been it. They also signed a couple of their own players and roster fillers.

General manager Ryan Pace said that he prefers to build the team through the draft, so not signing a bunch of free agents should not be a surprise.

The signings the Bears did make helped the team as it prepares for the draft. They now have more flexibility in the first round, which affects the rest of the draft.

Many figured that the Bears would go with defense. They changed defensive schemes, and need some new personnel to run that scheme. They needed an outside pass rusher who can play the 3-4, and need a big guy in the middle of the defensive line to help take pressure off the secondary.

Now, however, the Bears have an outside rusher, they have help at safety, and they are still waiting, but they could also have help at inside linebacker.

The need to pick a defensive linemen is still there, but it is not as desperately needed. They can still get a good one later in the draft.

The Bears can now go with offense as well as defense. They need a lineman who can help protect quarterback Jay Cutler, and with a bigger emphasis on the running game, that lineman needs to help open holes as well.

With the trade of Brandon Marshall, the Bears also have a need at wide receiver. They picked up Eddie Royal, but he is a slot receiver. If the Bears don’t get a receiver who could be a number one or number two, Royal will get the brunt of the Chicago Bears fans’ ire.

The mocks that came out recently have reflected the new Bears’ flexibility. They’ve been mocked to pick Danny Shelton, Marcus Mariota, Kevin White, Vic Beasley, Trae Waynes, Amari Cooper, Shane Ray and Randy Gregory.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways the Bears could go in the first round.

Next: The Bears draft a quarterback