Chicago Bears mock draft: Full seven-round picks

Artie Burns (6-foot-0, 195 pounds), CB, Miami

I have gone back and forth in my mocks on Burns. During his time with the Hurricanes, he split his time training for track and football. As a result, he probably was not at his best at either, though he was good at both.

Now, Burns’ attention is solely on football.

Even when his attention was split, Burns was very good, and he was a ball hawk. In 2015, playing in a rotation of cornerbacks (which gave him a limited amount of snaps), he still managed to lead the ACC in interceptions (six).

Those interceptions are what can really help the Chicago Bears defense. As a unit, they ranked 28th in the NFL in turnovers with just 17. In the backfield, they had just eight interceptions, ranking 30th.

Head coach John Fox spoke about the need for team speed to make plays. “Team speed. Explosion. I think those characteristics help make those plays. So I think it’s just still getting the right kind of guys there and the right kind of guys to represent our city and our organization, but with a highlight on some athleticism and explosion, which I think will help to make plays.”

As the saying goes, “Speed kills.”

Artie Burns will add that speed to the Chicago Bears defense. Being a track star, he has plenty of speed to keep up with any receiver. He could even use that speed to help out on special teams. Remember when Devin Hester was drafted so high. People were scratching their heads when the Bears spent a second round pick on an average cornerback.

Burns is more than an average corner, however. He is worth a second round grab, and should be a very good corner in the years to come.

One thing we do know, Miami University, though they have not been a national power lately, still is a power in giving the NFL some good players. Burns will be another one of them.

Next: Round 3: Protect Jay Cutler