Thursday, March 28, 2024

Here’s The Final Mock Draft Picks From Every Bears Insider

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It’s almost that time. The NFL draft is finally at hand. With just over 24 hours until the action is set to begin, experts are finally getting a decent feel for what their team plans to do. Same goes for Chicago Bears experts across every major outlet. They are gathering their information and using it make a final determination for who the big choice will be at #3 overall on Thursday night.

Make no mistake. There is hardly a consensus from the group. The rumor mill has spun at ridiculous speeds for the past month. Every day it seems like there’s a new favorite topping the Bears’ board. It takes plenty of willpower to wade through everything. So perhaps the best thing to do is run down the list of mock draft picks each one made.

Perhaps that will provide a clearer indication of where the Bears are leaning.

Brad Biggs (Chicago Tribune):  Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

“GM Ryan Pace is going to have to think long and hard about a quarterback and has acute need for a playmaker in the secondary but you can’t go wrong with a blue chip lineman.”

Adam Hoge (WGN):  Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

“Thomas is certainly in play for the Bears at No. 3 overall and he should be. He is a young, athletic and versatile defensive lineman with outstanding character and an arrow that is pointing up. These are all staples of previous Pace draft picks.”

Chris Emma (CBS Sports):  Jamal Adams, S, LSU

“Chicago will utilize its third pick on Adams, the all-around safety prospect. While Ohio State safety Malik Hooker will be an interesting option, Adams is a tremendous leader who has the potential to transform a secondary.”

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. (SB Nation):  Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

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Chris Boden (CSN):  Jamal Adams, S, LSU

“Tempted by Solomon Thomas, who’s not a true 3-4 end, but Vic Fangio would move around, and feeling Jonathan Allen’s topped out, potential-wise, they go with the proven, healthy guy who can lead the secondary for the next decade. Malik Hooker more of a playmaking center fielder, but the injury history helps this decision.”

Jake Perper (Chicago Now):  Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

“At 6’3″, 273 lbs., he can be fit as a defensive end in both a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. He crushed it at the NFL Combine last month with top performances in the bench press (30 repetitions), broad jump (126 inch), 3-cone drill (6.95 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.28 seconds). His 40-yard dash wasn’t bad either at 4.69 seconds.”

Jacob Infante (Yahoo Sports):  Jamal Adams, S, LSU

“Jamal Adams covers like a cornerback and hits like a linebacker. He has the size and aggressiveness to cover tight ends, as well as the athleticism to cover wide receivers and running backs. He’s a valuable asset in the run game, as he thrives when asked to run downhill. His hip movements are fluid, and he can read plays before they happen. Off the field, he is a natural leader whom players will rally around from Day 1.”

For those keeping track it’s basically three votes for Solomon Thomas, three votes for Jamal Adams and a vote for Deshaun Watson. In other words the majority of Bears experts believe if the team stays at #3 overall it’s going to be a defensive player. All it comes down to is whom they view as the best player available.

It’s no real surprise Thomas and Adams are the two targets. Both are squeaky clean characters off the field and animals on the field. They’re known for being tremendous athletes who make plays and embrace their respective roles as leaders. Thomas would be another dynamic presence in a front seven that already features Leonard Floyd, Pernell McPhee, Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Willie Young.

Presuming good health that could be a lethal group. Adams on the other hand would be the missing link. That presence on the back end of the secondary Chicago hasn’t seen since Mike Brown left almost a decade ago. History shows the best Bears defenses always had a stud safety. He might be that critical piece they need to take that last step.

Tomorrow will prove whether or not Pace sticks to this script.

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