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Chicago Bears mock draft: Full seven-round picks

By Carlos Nazario

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) as he made a sack against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) as he made a sack against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Josh Ferguson (5-foot-9, 200 pounds), RB, Illinois

Many have speculated that the Chicago Bears are looking for a top running back to go with Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey.

I don’t think that is the case.

I understand that the team looked into signing a running back in free agency but were not successful. I just don’t think they yanked the keys of the Ferrari from Matt Forte and give them to Langford, only to have him look over his shoulder for someone to steal them from him.

The Bears will look to add depth to the running back slot. They also have Jacquizz Rodgers, but he is recovering from an injury. John Fox likes to use a rotation of running backs to keep everyone healthy, so having another back to compete for the third-string spot will be beneficial.

The Bears also have a history of giving the local players a shot, and they may do that with Ferguson, a Naperville product.

Ferguson is a good dual threat from the backfield. He totaled over 1,000 total yards from scrimmage in 2013 and 2015, and though he missed three games in 2015, he nearly reached that total again (988).

When he runs, Ferguson gets good chunks of yards. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2014, and 5.0 in 2015. His last three years with the Illini, he scored 26 touchdowns.

Ferguson is an explosive runner who also possesses great moves to get away from would-be tacklers. His moves help him not get hit as much as pulled down a lot of times, helping him from getting major injuries.

He also has great hands and is dangerous making catches from the backfield. If the wide receivers and tight ends are thinning out the defense, Ferguson can exploit the linebackers, easily running away from them and getting big chunks of yards.

Ferguson is not the biggest runner, but with he ability to avoid big hits, and with the Bears’ offense using a rotation of backs, he should be fresh and relatively healthy.

Ferguson could be a cult favorite of Chicago Bears fans if he is in the backfield in Soldier Field, and could help give the team a very dangerous backfield both on the ground and in the air.

Next: Round 6: The Freak 2.0

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