2012 NFL Draft 1st-Round Odds: Chicago Bears
Published by Sigmund Bloom on April 19, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears were on track to make the playoffs until Jay Cutler left the lineup last year. They have addressed back-up QB with the signing of Jason Campbell, but they still have work to do to catch the Packers and keep the Lions from nipping at their heels. Who will they select in the first round to help the cause?
20 percent: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois: Mercilus could do a lot of damage on the other side of Julius Peppers, and the Bears seriously lack pass-rush punch from that spot even though Israel Idonije is a great try-hard end. Mercilus will very likely be there when they pick, so the Bears might not even have to leave the state to find their first-round pick.
20 percent: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: Left tackle continues to be a sore spot for the Bears, and Martin represents an instant upgrade. If he gets past the Bills, Cardinals, Chargers and Jets, he’s likely to be a Bear.
15 percent: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor: Head coach Lovie Smith and WR coach Darryl Drake were at Baylor’s pro day, and they have to like what they saw from Wright. He could pick up where Johnny Knox left off before his gruesome back injury and be better in traffic and the air than Knox.
10 percent: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College: The Bears don’t have a glaring need at linebacker, but Kuechly could start on the strong side while he is being groomed as the heir to Brian Urlacher’s spot. It’s hard to argue against him as a best player available here if he hasn’t gone to the Chiefs, Seahawks, Eagles or Bengals at this point.
10 percent: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: Kirkpatrick could flourish in the Bears cover two defense. Tim Jennings is adequate, but Kirkpatrick could be excellent. The Cowboys, Eagles and Bengals are prime candidates to take him before the Bears, but he could be a consideration if he lasts to No. 19.
10 percent: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: Floyd might be No. 1 on the Bears’ list of desired targets, but 19 seems to be at the very edge of the range he’ll go in the draft.
Five percent: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia: If the Bears like what they’ve seen from Glenn’s tape as a left tackle last year, he could be a consideration, even over Martin. His versatility only helps the argument to add him to a team that has had a beleaguered offensive line in recent years.
2.5 percent: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina: Gilmore is probably ahead of Kirkpatrick on most boards, including the Bears, which means he has a very small chance of lasting this long, but it’s not impossible.
2.5 percent: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: Reiff is a prime target for the Bills, Cardinals, Jets and Chargers, but former teammate Bryan Bulaga fell to the No. 23 pick with a similar profile two years ago. A dream pick for the Bears.
2.5 percent: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina: Another dream pick who could fall to within a few picks of the Bears, Coples would be scary across from the player he is often compared to, fellow Tar Heel Julius Peppers.
2.5 percent: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse: Here’s your longshot pick for new GM Phil Emery. Jones’ length and athleticism makes a rare combination. He’s not a quick twitch edge-rusher, but he would still be a terrific player to bookend with Peppers, and one the Bears might see more in terms of what he could than what he is now.
Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com
