Chicago Bears Should Consider Ohio State Cornerback Marshon Lattimore with Third Pick in 2017 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears must consider cornerback Marcus Lattimore with the third overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears cannot afford to mess up in the 2017 NFL Draft. The moves that they made in free agency clearly show that the team wants to build this roster through the draft. Building a team through the draft as opposed to overspending in free agency is always preferred, but you have to be able to hit on those draft picks.
Starting with the third overall selection, the Chicago Bears have to add impact talent in the 2017 NFL Draft. If not, we will likely be seeing a change in management sooner, rather than later.
Most mock drafts have the Bears either taking a quarterback or Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen at number three. There are also plenty that has them scooping up LSU safety Jamal Adams. However, one strong option that I have not seen make the rounds much is Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Lattimore is a smooth and explosive athlete at the cornerback position who shows fantastic natural coverage ability and ball skills. He is a shut-down cornerback in the making who would obviously make a huge impact in Chicago. However, it is rare to see a cornerback be taken that high. Would Lattimore be worth the selection at three?
I absolutely think that he would be. The Bears have done a nice job of building their defensive front seven. Akiem Hicks and Leonard Floyd lead a talented group of players with long-term ability up front. However, they severely lack playmakers in the secondary.
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I personally loved the additions that the Bears made in the secondary in free agency. However, besides Marcus Cooper, none of them are likely to be long-term starters for the team. Adding Lattimore to the mix would give the Bears an elite young playmaker at the cornerback position who could lead the secondary into the future.
A cornerback duo of Lattimore and Cooper would have a ton of natural upside and give the Bears secondary a chance to compete. If they both hit their potential, the secondary would go from a major weakness to an actual position of strength.
In today’s NFL where the passing game is king, the cornerback position is more important than ever before. If you do not have a top-tier cornerback to compete with the freak athletes at wide receiver, your defense is at a severe disadvantage. With the passing game more important than ever before, cornerback is a premium position, meaning that the right prospect should be considered at the top of the draft.
Next: Bears Complete Seven-Round 2017 NFL Mock Draft
Lattimore is a true number one cornerback whose skills will translate extremely well to the next level. If the Bears are smart, they will strongly consider the Ohio State product with the third overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.