Chicago Bears Mock Draft 3.0: Trade brings Round 2 steal

Round 5, Pick 162

Illinois natives will love this selection in the fifth round. While some may have a Round 6 grade on Sutton Smith, I love what the Bears could do with someone like him. Smith is definitely no where near the size you’d like to see a prototypical pass rusher, standing just 6-feet tall, but he presents much versatility within a defense like the Bears.

Smith may have a tough time if called upon to be a no. 1 or no. 2 pass rusher as a pro, but if he was surrounded by the talent like the Bears possess, he wouldn’t have the top-tier matchups to worry about — those are reserved for Khalil Mack, Leonard Floyd and Akiem Hicks.

At Northern Illinois, Smith posted a ridiculous last two seasons. He managed to rack up 56.5 tackles for loss, including 29.0 sacks between 2017 and 2018. Of course, playing in the Mid-American Conference, you have to put up gaudy numbers in order to make it as a pro. Smith did just that.

At his size, the Bears may even be able to use Smith at inside linebacker. He’s versatile enough, and quick enough, that Pagano could truly place him in a few different spots. At heart, though, he’s a pass rusher.