Chicago Bears Draft Preview

It's one of my favorite times of the year everyone! It's time for the freaking NFL Draft! I will be watching every minute of coverage, every minute of Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. (And maybe even a little Mike Mayock). If you only want to see what the Bears do however, you can skip the first night and a half. 

Jerry Angelo traded away this year's first rounder for quarterback Jay Cutler last off-season and his second-rounder for the late Gaines Adams. With no picks in the 2010 NFL Draft until round three, the Chicago Bears can't afford to swing-and-miss on any "projects" this year. No more Michael Okwo's or Dan Bazuin's or dare I say, any Danieal Manning's. Jerry Angelo can't reach past a player's worth. He'll need to focus on players that have experience at playing ONE position, not these safety/corner/return man combinations of which he seems so fond.

Speaking of Manning, he's decided to show up to voluntary workouts after missing a few due to unhappiness with his contract situation. Thank Ditka! I was worried Danieal would lose his starting /free safety/nickel corner/kick returner/ useless athlete position. I'll say it before and I'll say it again, Danieal Manning has ONE spot on my team as a kick returner. He MIGHT be a serviceable nickel corner, but he shouldn't if the Bears can help it. He should never, under ANY circumstances play at either safety spot because he is absolutely clueless.

As the NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in prime-time, I'm here to run you through the positions the Bears should look to address with their draft picks. (One on Friday night in the third round and the rest on Saturday in rounds 4-7.)

Defensive Back:

Ya think? Lovie Smith's team desperately needs a safety worth even a mediocre contract. Both the free and strong safety positions are up for grabs, so one or possibly two should be selected. Hey Jerry! How about you draft a safety that doesn't suck something awful? Depth at corner is desperately need as well.

Offensive line: Center, Guard, and Right Tackle  

So the offensive line was atrocious last season, allowing almost any rusher to "Jay-Rough" my franchise quarterback. In order to ensure that doesn't happen this season, expect Frank Omiyale to move to right tackle and perhaps a draftee to fill in at a guard position. Drafting a lineman that could play multiple positions would be a wise move, as Olin Kreutz ain't getting any younger.  

Defensive line

Not that I think it's a dire position of need, but it's not a Jerry Angelo draft without taking at least one red-shirt d-lineman. Henry Melton and Jarron Gilbert were last year's lucky prize-winners. Tommie Harris' constant injury doesn't help matters either. 

Other positions need help obviously, it just shouldn't come through the draft. A veteran receiver or back-up quarterback would solidify Mike Martz's offense. However I sincerely doubt the Bears will look at any experienced receiver. They are stubbornly infatuated with their wide-outs and won't be making any moves on that front. If they let Torry Holt sign with the Patriots, you know they don't care about improving that position. I guess Holt's good enough for Bill Belichick but not Lovie Smith? Sure thing Lovie, I trust you. Idiot.

Just like every other NFL team, the Bears have been bringing in possible draftees for workouts. Among those to visit: Wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt out of Buffalo, defensive tackles Jeffrey Fitzgerald (Kansas State) and George Johnson (Rutgers). Here's a complete list of players the Bears have brought in, compiled by the Tribune.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/04/searching-for-clues-to-bears-first-draft-pick.html

Call me buts, but do we need ANOTHER young wide receiver? They barely have playing time for the ones they have already! If we even sniff a wide-out on draft day, I'll be furious.

Well, that's all for now. I'll be back here each night after the Draft to give you a recap! Enjoy!