Can selecting a player be both the right thing and the wrong thing to do? It sounds odds and a bit crazy, but there is some truth to it. At least when it comes to the idea of the Chicago Bears drafting Marshon Lattimore. Naturally at this point many people are asking the simple question. Who is he talking about? To answer that one might as well start from the beginning.
Lattimore is a cornerback coming out of Ohio State. According to most draft analysts he is the consensus best at his position in the entire 2017 draft class. He has all the tools: size, athleticism, quickness, agility and above all speed. He can match up with any type of receiver on a field and play them man for man. He’s also somebody the Bears are keeping an eye on.
#OSU CB Marshon Lattimore, perhaps the draft’s top CB, is visiting the #Bears today, source said. They pick No. 3.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2017
It’s no secret Chicago had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL last season. Both the cornerback and safety positions were overrun with banged up veterans and untested youngsters. Virtually no talents worth getting excited about. As important as the front seven is, the Bears defense won’t be a force until they can fortify the back end.
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Thus the logic. Why not just grab Lattimore at #3 overall in the draft? Turns out there is plenty right with that question. Also, there is plenty wrong with it.
Why the Bears drafting Marshon Lattimore is right
From a logical perspective, there is plenty to love about the idea. Lattimore would instantly be the most talented defensive back in the Bears secondary. That caliber of player they can line up against the best receiver of every opponent they face. They haven’t had something like that since Charles Tillman was around. Is it any coincidence the defense ranked in the top 10 so often during those years?
Lattimore could be every bit as good. Maybe not the turnover machine Peanut was, but definitely an exceptional cover man. Despite being just a sophomore in 2016, he notched four interceptions, a defensive touchdown and deflected nine other passes. That’s what is so tantalizing about him. He’s already playing this well and is only 20-years old.
Just imagine how much better he’ll get with more experience. Not to mention the technique refinement he’d absorb from Ed Donatell, one of the best secondary coaches in football. It’s almost a no brainer in that regard. An instant fix for one of the most bothersome positions on the entire Bears roster.
Why it’s wrong
There is one thing that can often be dreaded with a position like corner. In fact one of the Bears’ very own current players, Tracey Porter, suffered from it frequently over his career. That being hamstring issues. Lattimore was plagued by that problem throughout 2015. Something NFL.com writer Lance Zierlein explained. Including how bad it got.
“You could say Lattimore was hamstrung by injuries during his first couple of seasons with the Buckeyes. His hamstrings gave him so much trouble that he eventually had surgery, causing him to miss his freshman year. Though he played in seven games in 2015 (five tackles), he couldn’t finish the season due to the chronic issue coming up again.”
Everybody knows how the Bears have already had to deal with two first round picks who’ve had trouble staying healthy. Kevin White suffered two broken leg-related injuries. Leonard Floyd dealt with a variety of ailments including two concussions. Try to imagine how fans might react of they see Ryan Pace takes a player who had issues coming in.
Then there is the matter of draft corners that high. Since the beginning of the Super Bowl era in 1966. Only two players were selected in the top three picks at that position. One was a career journeyman and the other made it to one Pro Bowl in 13 seasons. The position comes with a large degree of risk. Not to mention the overarching concern that it’s one that doesn’t impact the game enough. At least not like a pass rusher, quarterback or offensive tackle.
Besides, due to the nature of the league the depth of talent at cornerback is richer than ever due to its high demand. Finding quality players in the second round or later is easier these days than it was a few decades ago. Experts are confident teams picking high on Day Two, which the Bears will, could definitely land a quality corner given the depth of this class.
So yeah. Ryan Pace has a tough decision ahead of him.
