Chicago Bears Add Impact Talent in Four-Round NFL.com 2017 Mock Draft
The Chicago Bears add impact talent to both sides of the ball in a recent four-round 2017 NFL Mock Draft over at NFL.com.
Can the Chicago Bears follow up their impressive draft haul last year with a strong showing in the 2017 NFL Draft? That is the major question surrounding the team these days. As they are clearly in a rebuilding situation, the Bears simply must add impact talent to both sides of the ball.
In a recent four-round mock draft over at NFL.com, draft analyst Chad Reuter projects a nice haul of players for the Chicago Bears. After Myles Garrett and Jamal Adams go first and second, the Bears kick off their draft with a selection of Solomon Thomas at number three.
As the process goes along, I am warming up to the idea of Thomas in Chicago more and more. I still think that the team should make a quarterback, preferably Deshaun Watson, the priority, but Thomas is a selection that I can get behind.
He is an extremely active rusher who shows fantastic athleticism and natural bend around the edge. Thomas primarily played with his hand on the ground in college, but he has the quickness and overall athleticism to play outside linebacker in the Bears defense. Having him and last year’s ninth overall pick Leonard Floyd as an outside pass rushing duo would be a scary scenario for opposing quarterbacks.
In the second round, Reuter gives the Bears Miami (FL) tight end David Njoku in what would be a massive steal. Njoku is an absolute freak athlete who should be able to stretch the field well at the next level. Njoku is a strong and quick receiver who also shows elite ability to create yardage after the catch. He would be an incredible weapon for Mike Glennon in the Bears offense.
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With their selection in the third round, the Bears snag Texas A&M offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. I will admit, I do not know much about Eluemunor, but on the surface, I would not be a huge fan of this pick. Elumunor is a big and powerful offensive lineman who shows some nice quickness, but he is a developmental prospect who is expected to kick inside at the next level.
The Bears need to find a true offensive tackle if they go searching for offensive line help in the 2017 NFL Draft.
With their first of two fourth-round selections, the Bears take Illinois edge rusher Carroll Phillips in this mock draft. Phillips is an interesting prospect who plays with an extremely high motor. He shows strong ability against the run and has some pass rush upside. Phillips would be a nice addition to the outside linebacker mix in Chicago.
Last, but not least, the Bears find Njoku’s teammate from Miami in cornerback Corn Elder. Elder is a long and athletic cornerback prospect who has some nice long-term upside. He shows tremendous natural coverage ability and would undoubtedly be a welcomed addition to a position of weakness for the Bears.
Next: Bears Complete Seven-Round 2017 NFL Mock Draft
Overall, I would love this haul for the Bears. Thomas at three is great and Njoku in the second round is absolutely unfair. As I said, the Elumunor selection does not make much sense to me but snagging the upside of Phillips and Elder in the fourth round more than makes up for it. A very nice showing in this mock draft for the Chicago Bears.