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Chicago Bears 2018 NFL Draft targets to watch: Ohio State vs. Oklahoma

By Jason Kinander

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Jerome Baker
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Jerome Baker /
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Here are five NFL quality players for Chicago Bears fans to watch in the marquee college football matchup of the weekend.

With the Bears regular season kicking off on Sunday, the 2018 NFL draft is probably the last thing on the minds of the Bears and thier fans. But with the Bears again not expected to be competitive thus likely picking early in the draft, it’s never too early to look ahead to the next draft.

Following an eventful week one of action, week two of the college football season will not disappoint. This weeks marquee matchup features No. 5 Oklahoma taking on No. 2 Ohio State. The second top-five matchup in as many weeks, this contest expects to feature a number of potential first round picks.

While Oklahoma has had an impressive history of NFL talent, Ohio State is arguably the biggest producer of first-round talent in all of college football. Ezekiel Elliott, Joey Bosa, Marshon Lattimore and Malik Hooker are just a few recent first rounders to come out of Columbus. Despite losing seven players to the 2017 NFL draft, the Buckeyes are once again stacked with NFL talent.

Like last week’s Alabama-Florida State game, defense is the main thing for Bears fans to watch. With Mitchell Trubisky and Jordan Howard set as franchise cornerstones, the Bears will look to build up a young, formidable defense in next year’s draft.

With as many as 5-7 potential first rounders on defense playing in this game, Bears fans will have a lot to watch for the future on Saturday night.

However, despite defense being the focus for Bears fans, offense is expected to be the story of this game. Both quarterbacks – Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield – are Heisman contenders and are two of the top players in the country.

Defensive prospects on both sides will need to show up and make big plays, proving that they can stop the best players in the country. Overall, big plays on defense will be the biggest thing for Bears fans to watch in an offensive showdown.

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