Chicago Bears 2017 mock draft: Full seven-round draft

The two popular choices here are Adams or Watson, but I think Pace may go with the safe pick. Best player available? That’s Allen. Yes, I know there are concerns about his shoulders, but apparently, he passed all his medicals. He’ll have early onset of arthritis, but that won’t keep him from performing for some time.

I think with the release of Ego Ferguson and no one signed from free agency to start, there is a need here. Allen can play on the outside or inside, and he’ll relieve some pressure from the other talented defensive linemen, Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman.

With all due respect to Solomon Thomas, Allen is a bigger, stronger athlete. The important numbers to look at are the sacks (an incredible 28) and tackles for loss (another incredible 44.5). The Bears finished last in the league in turnovers forced and 27th in rushing yards allowed, and Allen helps fix that.

Putting pressure on quarterbacks makes them throw the ball before they want to, and that raises the possibility of making a bad throw. That pressure also helps the secondary. They won’t need to stay with the receivers as long. Running around for an extended period throughout and entire game wears the secondary out. Too many times in the last several years the secondary gave up late-game touchdowns that cost them some wins.

The Bears can’t go wrong with drafting Allen. He’ll become a leader on the team. It’s time for the Bears to have players with championship pedigree. Players who are used to winning titles are just a different breed from other players. Pace wants to shore up the front seven, and Allen does that for him.