It has come to this for the Bears: Wait till next year. With a convincing 34-17 loss to the Detroit Lions and the Bears’s fall to 5-7, the NFL playoffs are but a mere mathematical possibilty and Chicago fans can now turn to the 2015 draft and their wish lists of college prospects.
Several sports websites already have gotten a head start, and most of their mock drafts have the Bears selecting a safety or a pass-rushing defensive end for the team’s 30th-ranked pass defense.
Sports Illustrated
Pick: 8
The Bears select: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
The Bears need playmakers in their linebacking corps. Be it at safety, linebacker or even running back, Thompson has established a reputation as a gifted athlete.
Read more at sportsillustrated.com.
Bleacher Report
Pick: 13
The Bears select: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Ray does not fix a number of issues at linebacker and in the secondary, but he certainly makes the jobs of those spots easier.
Read more at bleacherreport.com.
CBS Sports
The pick: 13
The Bears select: Landon Collins, FS, Alabama
If you want to get a Bears’ fan heated, just ask about the talent of Chicago’s safeties.
Read more at cbssports.com.
SB Nation
The pick: 13
The Bears select: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
While he’s better at playing the run, he’s athletic enough to cover well.
Read more at sbnation.com.
DraftInsider.net
Pick: 10
The Bears select: Leonard Floyd, DE, Georgia
Jared Allen’s best days are behind him and though not awful, the Bears pass rush needs an injection of youth.
Read more at at draftinsider.net.
Walter Football
Pick: 13
The Bears select: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
The Bears have a very poor linebacking corps that will only get worse shortly once Lance Briggs moves on.
Read more at walterfootball.com.
San Diego Union-Tribune
Pick: 13
The Bears select: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Collins’ versatility sets him apart from all other defensive back prospects.
Read more at utsandiego.com.
The Big Lead
Pick: 8
The Bears select: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Spend every draft pick on the horrible defense. Fine, maybe one on the OL.
Read more at thebiglead.com.
