Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: Strengthening the Defensive Front
2. Bears Trade Down with Jacksonville, Select Jer'Zhan Newton (17th Overall)
Bears 9th Pick Trade Back
With all the top receivers gone in this scenario, the Bears elect to trade back with Jacksonville to land a second- and fourth-round pick. I think this deal possibly gets done with just the second-rounder, but we'll take the fourth rounder here also.
. Defensive Tackle. Jer'Zhan Newton. . player. Round 1, Pick 17. Jer'Zhan Newton. 481. Johnny Newton . 1
In this mock Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze were all gone by pick 9. Dallas Turner went a pick before the Bears at 8 as well. There is an argument to be made that either Joe Alt or Jared Verse would be wise selections in that case as they were both available.
I chose to trade down with the Jaguars, who moved up to select LT Joe Alt, bringing back a second- and fourth-round pick. Braxton Jones is not going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame any time soon, but he is an average starting tackle in the NFL.
A trade down works here as the Bears are able to pick up a second round pick that they do not have (Montez Sweat deal) and still land one of the best defenders in the draft in Johnny Newton. The Bears did utilize two draft picks in last year's draft with Gervon Dexter and Zach Pickens, but Newton is on an entirely different level than those two.
The Eberlus' defense only goes if there is a pass rush up front and a quality 3-technique. We saw the Bears' defense finally hit their stride after the Sweat trade last season. Another edge player opposite of him is still needed, but adding Newton will make everyone on the line better. Pro Football Focus graded him 84 in pass-rush grade, good for 20th overall in the nation. He had 7.5 sacks last season for Illinois and will be an immediate impact player in the league.