WCG Mock Draft- Chicago Bears

by WCG on Apr 3, 2008 12:58 PM CDT in News

CURRENT SELECTION
	Chris Williams Offensive Tackle Vanderbilt
ANALYSIS: Most of us here what know the Chicago Bears need. They need young offensive linemen. They need a QB of the future, because Grossman isn’t the answer and Orton probably isn’t either. They’ll need a RB because Cedric Benson sucks (I foolishly allowed him to break my heart). They also need a WR because they let Berrian leave. Plus, unless Lloyd pulls a rabbit out of a hat or Devin Hester or Mark Bradley do something for sixteen games that they haven’t done for more than 1 or 2 games in a row, they’re really shallow after (a solid) Marty Booker. People say they need a DT and a S, but with the move of Idonije and re-signing of McGowan, I can’t possibly see them taking either of those positions above the 4th round. As it has played out here, I think there are only two possibilities: RB Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois and OT Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. Even though Angelo wasn’t patient enough with Marc Colombo’s injuries (or perhaps because of), I think he’ll take a tackle in the first round. Mendenhall is quite enticing, but the Bears really don’t have the men up front to do something with him right away. Also, if you’ve paid attention to my posts, you know that a lot of productive running backs have been drafted later (Brian Westbrook, Frank Gore, Marion Barber III), found off a team’s practice squad or special teams unit (Ryan Grant, Ernest Graham, Adrian Peterson—cough!) or found among the cuts in training camp. While there are obvious stars just like other positions, I think RB’s can be made by the system (incl. the passing game) and the offensive line. Call me old school on this point. So I think they must go offensive line here. If RB becomes a desperate problem in Training Camp, you can always trade next years 2nd or 3rd for someone off the Raiders or Giants or… you name it. There’s only one of the "top" offensive linemen left so it makes the decision easy. Even if Clady and Otah were available, I’d still want Chris Williams. When guys are somewhat even, I’ll typically want the guy with the most potential. After that, I’ll take the smarter guy with the idea that he’ll have a better chance of reaching the potential. According to Wonderlic, Chris Williams is smarter than your average chemical engineer. I’ll take that. Williams is a strong-based, long-armed tackle with perhaps the most potential of any of the offensive tackles in the draft. He’s a great athlete with quick feet. He’s also known as a leader that has been very durable and comes with a lot of playing experience. This, of course, raises the question as to why he’s dropped so low. One reason is that he’s not very strong in the upper body as evidenced by his 21 reps of the 225-lb. bench press. That pales in comparison to Jake Long’s or Vernon Gholston’s 37 reps and is still worse than the modest 24 and 27 put up by Clady and Otah respectively. Also, he is still considered to have average technique. Combine that with all the "experience" and one may wonder if he’ll be able to change. That’s where you hope the smarts come in. The biggest drawback to this pick is that Williams may not be able to help a lot next year (and that’s the biggest reason I see them passing on him). However, with his athletic ability and intelligence, you make the pick, hope he has the desire to get better and hope for the best. If it works out, the Bears won’t need an OT for the next decade. I think they’ll do this, go QB in Rnd 2 and then RB & WR in Rnd 3.
Pick	Team	Player	Drafter	Analysis
1	Miami Dolphins	Jake Long	McRipper	Details
2	St. Louis Rams	Chris Long	Chad	Details
3	Atlanta Falcons	Glenn Dorsey	mas12	Details
4	Oakland Raiders	Vernon Gholston	Doctor Chicago	Details
5	Kansas City Chiefs	Sedrick Ellis	whitebearsox23	Details
6	NY Jets	Darren McFadden	DaNate23	Details
7	New England Patriots	Leodis McKelvin	tyger1147	Details
8	Baltimore Ravens	Matt Ryan	McRipper	Details
9	Cinncinati Bengals	Keith Rivers	tomas21	Details
10	New Orleans Saints	Mike Jenkins	sirus19x	Details
11	Buffalo Bills	Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	Chad	Details
12	Denver Broncos	Ryan Clady	Arctic Bronco	Details
13	Carolina Panthers	Jeff Otah	DaNate23	Details
14	Chicago Bears	Chris williams	tyger1147	Details

See a list of the mock draft participants

The Detroit Lions (Doctor Chicago) are on the clock...

0 recs | Comment 35 comments

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Comments

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The fourth offensive tackle in this draft will be no better than someone we can get later.

We have passed up top tier talent here.

ME NO HAPPY!

by Chad on Apr 3, 2008 1:09 PM CDT 0 recs

Why? This isn't real, Chad.

Disagree, but don't be sad. There's still a few weeks before that happens.

Besides, that's a pretty crappy counter-argument. There's hardly anything I've read that says what you just did. Carl Nicks is not Chris Williams. As I said, I'm old school. You can have your flash. I'll take my substance.

I understand your bias, though. We all have them.

by tyger1147 on Apr 3, 2008 1:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

Anyway...

...I know this is a big pick so many will disagree with it. If anyone has any actual arguments to discuss, I might engage. Otherwise, I promise to stay out of the whiny comments as I expect them.

by tyger1147 on Apr 3, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

He's not going to be a franchise tackle

He may be good. But he's not worth missing on a superstar. This level of talent will be found later in the draft.

by Chad on Apr 3, 2008 3:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Franchise Tackle

I just heard Mark Schlareth on NFL Live say that Jake Long had great hands and feet and that if you have this combination that anyone could be sucessfull. Chris Williams is known as a "Finess"
LT with this combination and it is his natural position.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 3, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

ha

you listened to schlareth? that guys an idiot. but at least he got the finesse thing right.

I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad

by thecoolest on Apr 3, 2008 10:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

and hes gross

he used to shit himself when he played so that he could freak out opposing dlineman

-leopoldjones

by leopoldjones on Apr 3, 2008 11:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

doesent

he have 2 3 rings? 1 with redskins and 2 with denver. he cant suck that bad.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 4, 2008 4:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

OK, I'll take the bait

I'll be the devil's advocate here. How much drop off would there be if we went for Baker in the second round instead (if available, trade up if needed)? I would prefer the result of Mendenhall/Baker instead of Williams/Forte or Choice or Rice or Johnson, so on and so on. We've had success with a USC OT before (Van Horne). So I'm requesting your assessment on how much of a drop off is there between Williams and Baker along with my OT/RB combo listed above.

by rob in iraq on Apr 4, 2008 1:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

I"m not really sure

before the combine Baker was projected middle of the first so, somebody thought he had skills at some point. Maybe he just worked out bad and there wouldn't be a drop off, but I really don't know.

by WCG on Apr 4, 2008 7:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

its a huge risk and could be costly

to wait until the 2nd round for Baker. And how do you know if you need to trade up to get him until hes already picked? I would think acquiring one of these draftees after being selected would cost a little more than it should, because the other team knows you are interested in a specific player. And the depth of good OTs is thin, while RBs are the deepest in many years.
Scout.com has CWilliams listed as 10th 5*.
RMendenhall is listed as 15th best, also 5*.
Baker is listed 41st and only 4*
Forte is 4*, #52; KSmith is 4* #68; Rice is 4* #71. I would say there is a bigger difference between Baker-a projected RT with knee problems and a limited ceiling; and Williams-a LT whose flaws(strength) are fixable and is expected to improve greatly.

by gillrowdy on Apr 4, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

word

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 4, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

Every pick

is a huge risk. Baker might be the steal of the draft and Wiliams and Clady might turn out to be bums, so how do you decide?

You take the guy who you think is best and go with it, but every player is a risk otherwise Ryan Leaf would still be playing.

by WCG on Apr 4, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Just as a side note

I'd almost take Mendenhall just to keep him away from the Lions.

Grant in GB, AP in Minny and Mendenhall in Detroit, that is not a nice thought 6 games a year.

Plus, could you imagine if a Chicago kid is killing us twice a year?

by WCG on Apr 3, 2008 1:10 PM CDT 0 recs

I have no problem with this

The Bears need a LEFT tackle, and I don't see anyone after Williams who can step into that role right away.

by Doctor Chicago on Apr 3, 2008 1:59 PM CDT 0 recs

how many seconds

wil it take you to make the mendenhall pick?

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 3, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

I have the pick

and it took about 2 minutes.

by WCG on Apr 3, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

And

I was finishing a sandwich for 90 seconds of that.

by Doctor Chicago on Apr 3, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

This fills the biggest need

and is quite possibly a value pick as well, if Williams does pan out as many analysts argue is the 2nd best OT. He seems a lot like a young John Tait, not especially strong, but good size, smarts, quickness, and versatility. I would be surprised if he isnt the opening day starter.

by gillrowdy on Apr 3, 2008 2:14 PM CDT 0 recs

By the way

That's not Chris Williams in the picture.

by Doctor Chicago on Apr 3, 2008 2:15 PM CDT 0 recs

at least

not one from vandy judging from the shirt

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 3, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

It's

DeMario Pressley from NC State.

by Doctor Chicago on Apr 3, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

NC State

their uniforns are whit and red.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 3, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

PIC

that is Chris Williams. might want to get those eyes checked there doc.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 3, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well now it is

He changed it. Now there's a picture of Chris Williams, who is an Asian woman. My eyes are fine.

by Doctor Chicago on Apr 3, 2008 3:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wait...

I have Asian Woman on my site. Shouldn't my traffic be much higher?:)

by WCG on Apr 3, 2008 3:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

its a tough call

not sure if anything they can do this year makes themselves a serious contender, thinking that and believeing there are good tackles every year (I can only assume) I could see them going with picking up the popular pick of mendenhall and hope to make major line improvements either later in the draft, after in FA, or next offseason after another lost year. That being said, a "top tier" running back can be had almost every year, and a top tier line can make almost any running back real good.

I think it comes down to whether or not the flash is worth it, or if the substance can even help you this year. If the tackle you draft high won't help you immediately anyway, is he worth the pick? could a later pick, when finally able to contribute bring as much as the early pick would have? tough call, really curious what JA will do.

i think it will come down to who can contribute now, although their offseason moves definately lead me to believe they are drafting line since they have such gaping holes, and maybe JA's offensive drafting woes will persuade that as well.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 3, 2008 2:18 PM CDT 0 recs

bottom line

make the line better and the rb will be too.

unless its plate leg benson. this pick would be a lot easier if they had signed a tackle in the offseason.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 3, 2008 2:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sage Pick

Nice to know someone was listening. Id rather be safe than sorry. Took Benson with the forth and didnt pad out so i think that JA will be too hesitant to pull the trigger. Love mendenhall but
we have to look at the big picture and sulittify the o line. I also agree we should had signed some ol in FA. The only Qb I think that will last to the 3rd is possibly Henne. We should go RB or WR in the 2nd. Finish with 2 offence (1 more OL) and at least 1 defence with the 3 extra picks.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 3, 2008 2:46 PM CDT 0 recs

Correction

Safe Pick even!

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 3, 2008 2:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Good pick

More solid than an RB any way, the safer choice. If he pans out he can last a lot longer than most any RB. Now set the sites on Ray Rice in round 2.

by GallopingGhost on Apr 3, 2008 3:05 PM CDT 0 recs

Ray Rice

I think that they would go for Matt Forte b4 Ray Rice just cuz of his size. With DeSean Jackson the targeted reciever. Limas Sween, Malcolm Kelly or Mario Manningham, one of these guys will be available to us in the 2nd round, mabye this could be a blessing with probs with having a franchise WR.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 3, 2008 3:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

This seems

more like taking the biggest need than best player available. I'm a big believer in best player available within reason. I don't like being the last guy in a run on a position, you end up reaching usually.

That said, I would be surprised if this wasn't what the Bears did (unless they trade out)

by tomas21 on Apr 3, 2008 3:54 PM CDT 0 recs

I so glad you said it

And with this sentence:

"I don't like being the last guy in a run" (on a position)

I feel the same way about women! 7th Floor 4-evah!

Kidding about that but I totally agree. We are not going to get 4 franchise tackles out of this draft.

by Chad on Apr 3, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

Great Pick

Hey, you drafted what the Bears need. Why draft Mendenhall? He would run into a wall anyway! Great pick. I would probably prefer a trade here but you can't trade. Good job

by whitebearsox23 on Apr 3, 2008 4:54 PM CDT 0 recs