The Chicago Bears' Round 1 Big Board Before Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week. This is the perfect chance for the Chicago Bears to key in on their top prospects and set their big board going into the pro days.
As the Bears set up their big board, it should be defense-oriented. No need for the top two quarterbacks to be there, because neither is a can't-miss prospect. Instead, let's stack the list with edge-rushers and dominating defensive tackles.
As the Bears pick seventh in the first round, they should have seven players they would draft with that pick and go down the list as the players are picked. The first two players are likely unrealistic, but right around the third name is where the team has to make a decision.
Here are the seven players on the Bears' big board entering this week's combine. Remember, this is likely to change after the events in Indianapolis.
USC Defensive End/Defensive Tackle Leonard Williams
It's clear Leonard Williams is the best defensive player in this year's draft, but it can also be strongly argued he's the best overall player in the draft.
All the hype at the top of the draft goes to quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, but Williams is more of a sure thing than either QB.
Williams is a versatile lineman in the mold of J.J. Watt. He can line up either inside or outside and does a great job getting after the quarterback and slowing down the run.
There's zero chance Williams falls to the Bears at seven, but he should still sit atop their big board. If something strange happens where he starts to fall past No. 3, then it might be worth moving up to grab him.
Nebraska Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Randy Gregory
The Bears need to add a relentless and speedy edge-rusher, and Randy Gregory just happens to be the best option in the draft.
Gregory fits best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, which is exactly what new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is accustomed to running.
Like the 49ers' Aldon Smith, Gregory could total 15 sacks a year in Fangio's system. In a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, that would be nice to have.
The combine could be the difference between Gregory being drafted fourth overall or falling to the Bears at seven. If his weight is down, his speed is off the charts and his strength is respectable, then he's not getting past the Raiders—who will pair him with Khalil Mack.
Missouri Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Shane Ray
The Bears are in a good spot if they want a speedy edge-rusher. If they miss out on Gregory, then there are at least two solid options to fall back on.
The second option after Gregory is Shane Ray. He set the SEC on fire last year, getting a chance to start for Missouri after Michael Sam and Kony Ealy departed.
Ray uses his natural speed and great quickness off the ball to get to the quarterback. He's an outside linebacker in the NFL and will have to prove he isn't a one-year wonder who just guessed right most of the time on the snap count.
Given the Bears don't have a reliable linebacker who can rush off the edge, they will gladly take Ray if he's still on the board at seven. There's a good chance, however, that Ray can really impress people at the combine and pro day and fly up the boards.
Washington Defensive Tackle Danny Shelton
We have to interrupt this parade of edge-rushers to talk about the best defensive tackle in the draft.
Danny Shelton is an imposing and athletic beast up front in the image of Kansas City's Dontari Poe. Having speed-rushers is nice, but it's those big guys who can plug the A-gaps who really make a 3-4 scheme successful.
Stephen Paea is a free agent, and Jay Ratliff has struggled to stay healthy. Shelton is a low-risk pick who can anchor the inside of the defense for years to come. He would look good paired with Ego Ferguson and Lamarr Houston on a new-look defensive line.
Shelton is a very realistic option for the Bears at seven. If he's on the board and Gregory and Ray are gone, then the Bears should draft him. They can address the edge-rushers later on in the draft or put more confidence in Shea McClellin and Christian Jones.
Florida Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Dante Fowler
OK, back to the edge-rushers. Dante Fowler is the most mysterious of the three edge guys on this list.
Fowler is third right now but has a realistic opportunity to jump both Gregory and Ray. He's the hardest worker of the three, and it shows on the tape. If he can show he's strong enough to shed blocks in the running game, then he could be gone before the Bears even draft.
If Fowler and Shelton are both on the board for the Bears, then the team has a tough choice to make. Fowler's relentless motor is going to be tough to pass up. You just can't teach his kind of effort.
Miami Offensive Tackle Ereck Flowers
Ask Miami running back Duke Johnson whom he prefers to run behind, and he'll likely tell you it's Ereck Flowers.
Flowers is a beast in run blocking and does an above-average job protecting the quarterback. The Bears want to get back to running the ball, and Flowers would look good at right tackle next to Kyle Long.
Drafting Flowers might not be so far-fetched. If some defensive players start to go earlier than expected or the Bears even have a sliver of doubt about some of these edge-rushers, then they can opt for the rock-solid tackle.
Flowers can start his career at right tackle and then transfer over to the left side once Jermon Bushrod leaves or starts to regress.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper
The Bears don't need a wide receiver, but Amari Cooper has the kind of talent everyone should pay attention to no matter what their situation is.
Brandon Marshall is owed a lot of money going forward, and the Bears still need to pay Alshon Jeffery. Could the Bears snag Cooper if he falls to them, and then move Marshall?
It's unlikely Cooper falls to No. 7, and Marshall shouldn't go anywhere, but it's still worth entertaining even if just for a second. A Cooper and Jeffery tandem could be real fun over the next decade.