Chicago Bears: Final 7-round mock draft

Pre-Combine Mock Selection: Jack Cichy, Linebacker, Wisconsin

Pre-Free Agency Mock Selection: Brandon Facyson, Cornerback, Virginia Tech

Nick Nelson had a solid year in his lone season with the Badgers. While he did suffer a pre-draft meniscus tear recently, there’s been some good news. The recovery period won’t be nearly as long as anticipated. This means he should be good to go for training camp when the time comes.

However, the knee injury came at a bad time and that’s why he falls to the sixth round.

Right into the Chicago Bear’s lap.

Nelson spent his first two years at the Unversity of Hawai’i before transferring and redshirting up at Madison. The impressive thing about this is his production really didn’t go down when the competition level rose dramatically.

In fact, he led the country with 21 passes deflected (42 in total). This shows that he is more than capable of contesting catches. But to a degree, it comes with a price as Nelson was tagged up with 183 yards worth of penalties. While winning 50-50 balls is a great trait of defensive backs, there is a checkbox that the former Badger doesn’t tick: interceptions.

He has zero, which is pretty bad for the number of deflections.

But there is a checkbox he definitely ticks: effort.

Bryce Callahan just re-upped with Chicago, but having too many cornerbacks is never a bad thing. Also, Nelson doesn’t need to start week one. So, the pressure is off.