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Chicago Bears Daily 2017 NFL Draft Prospect: West Virginia CB Rasul Douglas

By Carlos Nazario

Nov 21, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; KWest Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Rasul Douglas (13) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Bobby Hartzog Jr. (5) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. West Virginia won the game 49-0. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; KWest Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Rasul Douglas (13) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Bobby Hartzog Jr. (5) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. West Virginia won the game 49-0. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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We continue our look at possible Chicago Bears draft targets. Today we look at cornerback Rasul Douglas. Drafting him, together with the free agency move to add a corner would give the team a deep unit, something it lacked last season.

The Chicago Bears’ cornerback unit suffered from the injury bug bad last season. Things were so bad they had undrafted rookies not only getting major playing time but also starting games. Ryan Pace and the front office made sure that wouldn’t happen again.

Pace went out and solidified the cornerback unit by signing Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper. They also re-signed Johnthan Banks, a very under-appreciated move. Of course, they also still have Kyle Fuller (for now) and Tracy Porter.

This draft class is deep in cornerbacks. The Bears will almost certainly draft one. If they go for West Virginia’s Rasul Douglas, it will turn a unit that was a negative into a positive.

Under normal circumstances, Douglas would be a late first round, early second round pick. However, with the plethora of corners in this class, his value suffers. At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, he has the size to go up against the big receivers. His instincts are impeccable. He reads quarterbacks quickly and breaks off his coverage area in zone and go make a play. He also breaks into routes and has good ball hawk skills. Growing up, he played more basketball than football and it shows when he jumps up and goes for the ball.

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Douglas’ hands set him apart from many other corners. His hands are strong and are always in position to get the ball. In 2016, he led the nation in interceptions with eight.

Even though he only has one year as the Mountaineers’ starter, he was a Junior College All-American. He could have signed with Florida State or Louisville, but decided to stay close to home.

The Bears are in a position to ease Douglas in. He can come in on nickel downs like the original plan was for Fuller when he was a rookie. And should a player go down, Douglas has the skills to fend for himself and get the job done. Of course, the Bears rather he doesn’t have to get thrown into the fire right away.

Next: Bears draft target Forrest Lamp

The Chicago Bears’ cornerback unit failed to consistently force turnovers. Having a player like Rasul Douglas who considers the ball his property changes that. It’s time for the Monsters to come back, and eventually Douglas helps with that.

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