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18.Chicago Bears
-Hakeem Nicks (WR/North Carolina)
- Hakeem Nicks (NFL.com)
For years, Bears fans have been clamoring for a top quality receiver to get the offense moving. The pressure might finally become too much for GM Jerry Angelo to ignore. Kyle Orton needs a reliable receiver to help his development. I just can’t recall the last time Chicago had a go-to receiver whose hands were like money in the bank. I wouldn’t bestow that honor on the flashy Devin Hester,who happens to be developing well.
North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks is the 2nd most complete receiver in this draft (behind Michael Crabtree). Few players have the ball skills and functional jumping ability of Nicks. His style would provide Kyle Orton with an excellent safety net especially in the red zone.
-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)
- Michael Oher (NFL.com)
It’s unlikely that Oher falls this far. But in the off-chance that he is here at #18, the Bears will most likely take him. Right Tackle is an area of great need because John Tait will most likely retire, plus John St. Clair might not resign with the team. Considering how important a powerful offensive line is to the Bears’ running game, it seems likely they will try to draft another player to open holes for Matt Forte.
-Larry English (DE/Northern Illinois)
From hearing Rod Marinelli emphasize how the front 4 are the lifeblood of the tampa-2 defense, I now understand why Chicago’s defense seemed off its game last year. A pass-rusher is exactly what the doctor ordered! Finishing the season with 28 sacks overall and only 11 sacks between the starting defensive ends is rather average for a team that lives and dies with its pass rush.
- Larry English (NFL.com)
The ability to choose Larry English from Northern Illinois would be very helpful under the tutelage of the master defensive line coach, Rod Marinelli. Ideal for speed rushing, English would work very well on the right side, sharing time with Alex Brown. His production in college was stellar-31.5 career sacks, and became MAC defensive player of the year twice.
If Chicago goes defense with their first pick, I would think English would become their main target.
There is a lot of talk about Angelo trading down, but I have a hard time seeing who would want to trade to #18.
Any ideas?
Next on the clock: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Talk about a need! I am completely with you on this one. The Bears cannot go another season with Devin Hester being their only real contributing wide receiver. Nicks might be a great complement to Hester, Olsen, and Forte.
18 is such a crappy position to be drafting in. It may be to early for Nicks, or not. English may be there, or not and the same goes for Oher.
In the end though I really like Nicks so I go with him.
Yeah, I just can’t seem to figure out any trading partners for the Bears at 18. But trading down would be ideal if Angelo could make it happen.
Ghostwriter, I couldn’t agree more that receiver is a great need. I know most people don’t value Nicks this highly, but everything is based on perceived value (rather than actual value). It could happen….