Matt Miller 7-round mock

[UOK]

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08. BEARS

The Pick: OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

Oh, man. The Bears land a difference-maker in Quenton Nelson, as he follows his former college offensive line coach to Chicago from Notre Dame. And while guard might seem like a boring pick and not a huge need, teams will gladly make a spot on the starting lineup for this monster.

Nelson is a violent, brutal blocker, but he's also a fluid athlete with the movement skills to pull, trap and keep pace with speedy pass-rushers on the interior. Nelson isn't like anyone else in the NFL currently. He's meaner than Zack Martin and more athletic than Brandon Scherff. Plug him in at left guard, though, and the entire Bears offensive line is suddenly better.

Adding Nelson means less work for Cody Whitehair at center and for Kyle Long at right guard. The balance and power in the middle of the line also means a better life for Mitchell Trubisky and Jordan Howard. So while this isn't the most exciting pick on paper, it's one Bears fans would embrace in due time.

39. Chicago Bears WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

101. Chicago Bears EDGE Hercules Mata'afa, Washington State

111. Chicago Bears (from ARI) WR Marcel Ateman, Oklahoma State

136. Chicago Bears DL B.J. Hill, North Carolina State

167. Chicago Bears OT Joseph Noteboom, TCU

198. Chicago Bears CB Deatrick Nichols, South Florida

[wab]

I don't completely dislike this draft. But it only really works for me if the Bears bring back both corners and do something about edge rusher in FA.

I'm also not a huge Mata'afa fan. He's not very big. Same with Notebloom, he's like a poor man's Whitehair and is probably a better fit at guard in the NFL IMO (fun fact, some friends of mine live three houses down from his parents).

If the Bears are going to take a guard at 8, I'd prefer they take a pure OT later in the draft over a tweener.

But aside from those guys, overall I wouldn't hate it.

[G08]

I'd rather go Edmunds, Kirk, OG in round 4

[wab]

I'd rather go Edmunds, Kirk, OG in round 4

I'm inclined to agree. Hell, Notebloom wouldn't be a bad pick in the 4th.

[Mr.Irrelevant]

It's hard to get my head around drafting a guard at #8. I understand BPA and all, but it just seems doubtful that we'll get the impact we're looking for from that position. Assuming Barkley, Chubb, and Fitzpatrick are gone I'm leaning toward Edmundss as well.

I love the Christian Kirk pick in the second, I hope he falls that far.

[Hiphopopotamos]

I'd pass out from all of the blood rushing to my nethers if we drafted Nelson/Kirk in the first two rounds. I'm down for Mr Millers first and second day picks.

[G08]

I'm starting to think it might be a better idea to kick Whitehair over to LG, keep Long at RG, and draft a C somewhere on day 3 of the draft.

[malk]

I don't completely dislike this draft. But it only really works for me if the Bears bring back both corners and do something about edge rusher in FA.

I'm also not a huge Mata'afa fan. He's not very big. Same with Notebloom, he's like a poor man's Whitehair and is probably a better fit at guard in the NFL IMO (fun fact, some friends of mine live three houses down from his parents).

If the Bears are going to take a guard at 8, I'd prefer they take a pure OT later in the draft over a tweener.

But aside from those guys, overall I wouldn't hate it.

A late round OT you say? Like Charles Leno?

@G08, is there a centre getting any love this year? I haven't seen anything from my cursory glances yet.

[Mr.Irrelevant]

You guys are talking about drafting a center, but don't sleep on Jordan Morgan. After a year in an NFL training program he may come out a beast who's ready to hold down the LG spot and we can keep Whitehair at center.

On the other hand, he might be Hronis Grasu part 2.

[malk]

You guys are talking about drafting a center, but don't sleep on Jordan Morgan. After a year in an NFL training program he may come out a beast who's ready to hold down the LG spot and we can keep Whitehair at center.

On the other hand, he might be Hronis Grasu part 2.

The thing is, the new staff won't get any real chance to evaluate Morgan before the draft, It's part of what's so infuriating about our offensive line, is Grasu much better in a new scheme, has Morgan got potential, can Long get back to what he was...

It's part of the reason I don't want to see us invest too much in the line this offseason. A later round pick and a quality backup (or Kush if healthy) will be fine until we can evaluate what we have.

[G08]

I don't completely dislike this draft. But it only really works for me if the Bears bring back both corners and do something about edge rusher in FA.

I'm also not a huge Mata'afa fan. He's not very big. Same with Notebloom, he's like a poor man's Whitehair and is probably a better fit at guard in the NFL IMO (fun fact, some friends of mine live three houses down from his parents).

If the Bears are going to take a guard at 8, I'd prefer they take a pure OT later in the draft over a tweener.

But aside from those guys, overall I wouldn't hate it.

A late round OT you say? Like Charles Leno?

@G08, is there a centre getting any love this year? I haven't seen anything from my cursory glances yet.

I haven't dug into the OL much for this draft... currently fixated on pass rushers and WRs.

[Mr.Irrelevant]

You guys are talking about drafting a center, but don't sleep on Jordan Morgan. After a year in an NFL training program he may come out a beast who's ready to hold down the LG spot and we can keep Whitehair at center.

On the other hand, he might be Hronis Grasu part 2.

The thing is, the new staff won't get any real chance to evaluate Morgan before the draft, It's part of what's so infuriating about our offensive line, is Grasu much better in a new scheme, has Morgan got potential, can Long get back to what he was...

It's part of the reason I don't want to see us invest too much in the line this offseason. A later round pick and a quality backup (or Kush if healthy) will be fine until we can evaluate what we have.

Good point. And it's also good reason to keep Sitton around at least through training camp even if he is a big cap hit come March.

[SC Bear]

I would love Nelson in round 1; I will be happily surprised if he is still on the board at 8. I look for probably 1 or more veteran qb's such as Cousins, Keenum, Foles, and maybe McCarren signed by the likes of Cleveland, Denver, Jets all of which lessens the value of our first pick. I believe Wright compares favorably with FA slot receivers. Landry not for me except in fantasy. I like Inman. Starting to look like the most value for us in round 1 is Edmunds, Smith or Davenport.

[Moriarty]

You guys are talking about drafting a center, but don't sleep on Jordan Morgan. After a year in an NFL training program he may come out a beast who's ready to hold down the LG spot and we can keep Whitehair at center.

On the other hand, he might be Hronis Grasu part 2.

That's too generous a floor.

He might be Teyo Fabaluje Part II

[wab]

You guys are talking about drafting a center, but don't sleep on Jordan Morgan. After a year in an NFL training program he may come out a beast who's ready to hold down the LG spot and we can keep Whitehair at center.

On the other hand, he might be Hronis Grasu part 2.

That's too generous a floor.

He might be Teyo Fabaluje Part II

Except Morgan isn’t 6’6 355lbs.

[mmmc_35]

It's part of the reason I don't want to see us invest too much in the line this offseason. A later round pick and a quality backup (or Kush if healthy) will be fine until we can evaluate what we have.

I think opposite. Me and you don't have the same team building philosophy. I think you need to think a few years ahead with the the line. Right now perhaps Morgan is a future player. I believe some writing him in as a starter after 16 peaseason snaps seems a bit optimistic. Long and Sitton are not necessarily long term options for a few reasons. Massie contract is almost up. Bringing in prospects seems smart if 3/5 of the line may be replaced in two years.

[HurricaneBear]

I would LOVE this draft. Nelson at 8 is my dream pick. We have the qb now protect him and everything else will fall into place. Receivers will have more time to get open down the field, backs will have more running room, and the future of this frachise will be better protected. Kirk in the 2nd would be awesome as well. The defense is already good, we need to improve the offense and this draft would be a few good steps in that direction.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I am all on board with Nelson at #8. He is a 8+ year fixture at G for the Bears. He is a once in a decade opportunity to shore up the interior of the OL around a potential franchise QB.

[docc]

Agree.. Watched Nelson during games and highlights.. A goad grader body with quicks. Give Mitch some time even our Receivers could get open..uh..hopefully.