Joe's Draft Day Preview: Chicago Bears, Round One

For the first time since picking Chris Williams 14^th overall in 2008, the Chicago Bears will have work to do in the first round of the NFL Draft. At the 29^th slot, GM Jerry Angelo needs to fill a hole and find an instant contributor/starter, not a three-year project. With expectations high after an NFC Championship appearance, there can be no whiffing at the top of Angelo’s draft.

In some of the mock drafts I’ve seen, some analysts have Chicago taking North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin. Austin was suspended the entire 2010 college season due to improper contact with an agent, which has caused some teams to shy away from taking him early, despite his first-round level talent. He could fill the void on the defensive front left by Tommie Harris’s release, if the Bears decide to go that direction in the first round. However, I hate the idea of another redemption/comeback story for Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli to mold. Why can’t we just take player without all the hefty baggage? Those injury/character gambles might look good in round four, but in the first? No sir.

Mike Mayock has Chicago taking Pittsburgh wide-out Jonathan Baldwin in the first round, a puzzling prediction to me. While Baldwin’s 6’4” frame would be an outstanding addition to the Bears’ smaller receiving corps (especially with Devin Aromashodu likely leaving in free agency), other areas need the attention before Chicago can draft another young receiver.

Former tight end turned-left tackle Nate Solder likely will be gone by the time Chicago makes its pick, but Mississippi State left tackle Derek Sherrod could be around for Chicago take off the board. It you put the 6’6”, 300 pound-plus Sherrod alongside Chris Williams (who likely will stay at left guard), you could have the makings of a solid left side. Other linemen to keep your eye on: Mike Pouncey, Anthony Castanzo, Gabe Carimi.

The Chicago Tribune sports team recently gave its take on who the Bears should take at 29, with Fred Mitchell and Brad Biggs thinking Sherrod fits best. Austin was also mentioned, as was Texas cornerback Aaron Williams.

Another rumbling around the league is that Bears could be a target spot for teams to trade up to get back into the first round. While I am a fan of trading back and accumulating picks, Chicago’s two recent draft classes have left much to be desired in terms of top talents, since both drafts had their first pick in round three. Stay in round one Jerry and taking a freaking player who can start THIS year. ‘Kay?

Personally, I’ll be excited just knowing my Bears will actually be involved in the first round of this year’s draft. So if they manage to infuriate me (as they have a tendency to do with their draft), you know they did something wrong. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for instant reaction to the Bears’ picks all weekend. I’ll be back tomorrow night with a recap of their first-round pick (if they make one) and a preview of where they need to look in rounds 2-3.