Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: Kicking Things Off With a Huge Trade
By Todd Welter
The Chicago Bears could try to upgrade at left tackle with their other first-round pick. An edge rusher and a free safety are also needed.
If they are going to keep Eberflus, Poles needs to give him an elite three-technique defensive tackle.
That is the engine of his defense. There is no better three-tech draft prospect than this one.
DT. Jer'Zhan Newton. 481. . Jer'Zhan Newton. player. Jer'Zhan Newton. . No. 9 Overall. 1
Round 1 (No. 9 Overall): Jer'Zhan Newton, Defensive Tackle, Illinois
The Bears invested serious draft capital in last year's draft when Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens were taken. Dexter Sr. has a chance to develop into a good three-tech, but Newton is already better. Plus, during the heydays of the Lovie Smith dominant Bears' defenses in the 2000s, you had Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson wrecking games from the interior.
Plus, Dexter Sr. might be able to move outside in some pass-rushing packages. Justin Jones is set to be a free agent and Newton would be an upgrade over him. Andrew Billings is the nose tackle and DeMarcus Walker can always slide inside. Think about a defensive tackle rotation of Newton, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Billings, and Walker.
If you are wondering what type of prospect he is, check NBC Sports Connor Rogers' breakdown of Newton...
This guy just makes plays in the trenches.
The offensive line just got wrecked by the Green Bay Packers, especially the interior. The Bears' interior struggled outside of Teven Jenkins all season (except against Green Bay where Jenkins was terrible). Since he will be entering the final year of his deal and Nate Davis underperformed, the Bears should upgrade at guard.
That is why the Chicago Bears beef up the line by taking this offensive lineman in the second round.