Chicago Bears 2017 mock draft: Latest seven-round draft

Round 1, #3: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama (6-foot-3, 295 pounds)

Allen won the 2016 Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Award winner as the nation’s top defender. He recorded 69 tackles (16 for loss), and 10.5 sacks, leading the best defense in the nation.

Allen is a decorated player. He was the Virginia high school player of the year. Later he stepped in and contributed as a reserve in his freshman season at Alabama. He then became the starter the next season and anchored the Crimson Tide’s defense.

There are questions about Allen’s health. He had two shoulder surgeries, and rumors persist about a third one. Those surgeries haven’t stopped him from producing. He is explosive off the snap, and can play inside or outside on the line.

In 2016, the Bears had trouble against the run. They ranked 27th in rushing yards given up, and 25th in rushing touchdowns given up. Allen gets into the opposing backfield regularly, and when on the field, attracts double teams. That’s good news for the other two linemen, Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks.

There are reports that the Bears like Mitch Trubisky, but I believe that is a case of misdirection. They may be more interested in Garrett Myles, the defensive end out of Texas A&M. The Cleveland Browns are said to be in love with Trubisky, but they have the twelfth pick to go along with their top overall pick. They look to draft Myles with the top pick, then feel that Trubisky would be available at twelve.

This rumor then makes the Browns think. Of course, the key to this is what San Francisco does at two. They’ve been linked to a variety of players. What they do goes a long way to decide whether the Bears get Allen or Garrett.

If things stay the way they currently are, I feel Jonathan Allen is the best option.