Bears Blitz

Published by Zach Kruse on April 6, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

With several other needs addressed since the offseason began, the Chicago Bears should heavily consider taking a defensive end with the No. 19 overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.

After the Bears signed cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite in free agency this week, Chicago Tribune beat reporter Vaughn McClure agreed:

Hayden signed for the veteran minimum of $825,000 while the terms of Wilhite’s deal were not immediately available. Securing two cornerbacks seems to indicate the Bears will target a defensive end with the 19th overall pick April 26 in the NFL draft.

The Bears have been one of the most active teams in the 2012 offseason, both on the trade market and during free agency. Their activeness to upgrade on offense now should allow the Bears to focus on the defensive side of the ball once the draft rolls around.

The offensive needs were slowly trimmed down.

New GM Phil Emery first traded a pair of third-round picks to the Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall, reuniting the physical pass-catcher with former quarterback Jay Cutler while also giving the Bears the first real No.1 receiver they’ve had since the days of Marty Booker and Marcus Robinson.

Emery then got Jason Campbell to sign on to be the Bears’ backup quarterback, a place on the depth chart that doomed Chicago’s season a year ago. Running back Michael Bush was also inked to be the complementary (and backup plan) to No. 1 back Matt Forte.  

Cornerback was one of the last pieces of the need-puzzle, but adding Hayden and Wilhite, two former starting cornerbacks, allows the Bears to look defensive end square in the eyes with the team’s first pick in three weeks.

It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise either, as Emery all but gave away his desire to get a pass-rusher during free agency. The Bears flirted with several of the big names on the market but failed to land one.

Even after showing his hand, Emery should still pursue a defensive end.

Teaming another pass-rushing defensive end with Julius Peppers would be the fastest way to get the Bears’ pass defense back to where it was during their playoff season of 2010. Chicago finished 28th in the NFL in passing yards allowed last season at almost 260 a game.

There is likely to be several players available at No. 19 that fit what the Bears want opposite at defensive end opposite Peppers. One of the following four players, given they are available, should be heavily considered by Emery in the first round: 

Quinton Coples, North Carolina

Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune said Wednesday that Coples is a candidate to fall in the draft. Even though Pompei also thinks the Bears should pass if Coples falls to No. 19 overall, the Bears would be foolish to let such a highly talented player fall past their selection.

Put Coples opposite Peppers, a fellow UNC alum, and watch the two wreak havoc on quarterbacks. 

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

There are worries about Mercilus being a “one-year wonder” after going from a complete unknown to leading the NCAA in sacks last season. Mercilus has done his best during the pre-draft period to calm those fears, however.

A local product with plenty of raw pass-rushing skills, Mercilus could approach 10 sacks during his rookie season in Chicago.

Nick Perry, USC

Most are projecting Perry to a 3-4 defense, but he’s said all along that he’d prefer to play with his hand on the ground in a 4-3. He won’t find a better situation in a 4-3 than Chicago, where most teams concentrate double teams on whatever side Peppers lines up at.

A slippery defensive end with some bend to his game, Perry could have a big impact for the Bears on obvious pass situations next season. 

Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Slowly but surely, Upshaw has floated down people’s draft boards. Most had him as a sure-fire top-15 pick, but there some who have dropped him into the late teens and early 20s. He has value at No. 19 overall. 

And while Upshaw mostly played standing up in the 3-4 defense at Alabama, he does have experience playing with his hand down. Upshaw would also give Lovie Smith some versatility, as the Bears could use him at outside linebacker on some downs and at defense end on others. He’s definitely an interesting fit.  

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