Bears Blitz

Published by Bob Warja on April 27, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

With the 18th pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears select Shea McClellin from Boise State. Who? What? Why? I want to give GM Phil Emery the benefit of the doubt here, but like many, I was shocked by this pick.

It’s not so much that I don’t feel McClellin will be a good football player at the next level. It’s just that there were more well-known choices staring them in the face. That, plus the fact that McClellin was projected to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, combine to make this a somewhat risky selection for the Bears.

On the one hand, you must give Emery credit for being confident. He could have taken a defensive end like Chandler Jones or a local kid like Whitney Mercilus and fans would have been satiated. But by taking McClellin, he’s leaving himself open to scrutiny.

McClellin had been moving up the draft board, with New England and Green Bay both said to be considering him with their late first-round pick. He gets off the ball well and he closes well. He needs to work on his ability to get off blocks, but he’s tough, strong and does a nice job of setting the edge when he’s lined up at defensive end.

The Bears want most of their pass-rush production in their 4-3 defense to come from the front four and the only real edge rusher they have is Julius Peppers. Israel Idonije was re-signed but is a better run defender than pass-rusher.

On the one hand, you might say that McClellin is a good fit as a guy who can give them some pass rush in the nickel situations and a three-man rotation at defensive end.

But the other issue I have is whether they could have traded down a few slots and still taken McClellin, while potentially finding a partner wanting to move up a few spaces and willing to give the Bears the chance to move up slightly in the second round.

That suggestion is because the Bears do not pick again until No. 50. While there is a lot of quality still on the board and some of it is first-round talent, 17 more players will be gone before the Bears pick again.

Grade: B-

That said, who should they take in Round 2?

Here are some of the better choices, in my estimation, along with a brief analysis of why the pick would be a good fit for Chicago.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama.

The Bears could take a chance on the very talented but troubled Janoris Jenkins from North Alabama. He has had several off-the-field incidents, most of them involving marijuana. He has also fathered children with multiple women.

But there is no denying his talent. This is a corner with the talent of an early-to-mid first-round pick but with much more risk. Look, I know Chicago has re-signed Tim Jennings as well as a couple of free agents, but we have only one true every-down corner on the roster. They replaced free-agent departures Zack Bowman and Corey Graham with veterans Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite, but they are not starters.

Trumaine Johnson (6’2″), Montana, and Casey Heyward, Vanderbilt, are other possibilities at corner.

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

I expect Konz to go early in the second round, plus, center is not an immediate need for the Bears. But there is no denying that he is the best center in the draft and could be a value pick at No. 50 if he drops.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery, or any number of taller wideouts could still be on the board when the Bears pick at No. 50. I don’t expect the Bears to go this route, however. Stephen Hill and Rueben Randle aren’t likely to be available at No. 50.

Jonathan Martin, OT, Standford

I don’t expect Martin to fall to the Bears, but if he does, he will be hard to pass up. J’Marcus Webb had a bad season on the left side, and the Bears do not currently have another good option.

Mike Adams, Ohio State, is another possibility at tackle.

Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

I know the Bears like Kellen Davis, but if Fleener unexpectedly drops that far, he would be hard to pass up (even though he would not be hard to pass to).

Kendall Reyes, DT, UConn

The Bears are not completely sold on Henry Melton as the three technique of the future and were said to like Michael Brockers, but he went 14th to the Rams. Reyes is sudden and played well at the Senior Bowl.

Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, or Devon Still, Penn State, are other options, though they are both expected to be gone before the Bears pick.

Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina

I know, another safety? But Allen could vie with Major Wright at starting strong safety this season.

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