Chicago Bears 2017 NFL Mock Draft: 1st Round Maneuvering

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes past Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) during the second half at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears look like they’re in line for their highest draft pick in over a decade. Current estimates say they hold the 5th overall choice at present.

How will this impact their game plan? Impossible to say at this point. One can imagine though that quarterback, pass rusher, offensive tackle, tight end and corner are of course on the to-do list. Here is the teams’ latest mock draft with a new potential scenario that could play out.

1st Round (via CAR)

Panthers get #5 pick

Bears get #8 pick, 2nd rounder in 2017 and 3rd rounder in 20181

Derek Barnett

DE, Tennessee

Unlike Floyd this past draft, Derek Barnett comes with a lot more proven production at the job. He had nine sacks as a freshman, 10 sacks as a sophomore and has five so far as a junior. This isn’t counting the additions 42.5 tackles for a loss. The guy just knows how to get into the backfield and make plays. He’s a good athlete with a high motor and strength. The instinct is evident on every snap. Vic Fangio needs somebody he can count on. Barnett looks every bit the type.

Oct 15, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) attempts a pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

1st Round (via OAK)

Bears get #29 pick

Raiders get #36 pick, 4th rounder in 2017 and 6th rounder in 20181

Mitch Trubisky

QB, North Carolina

There is no question the Bears are due for drafting a quarterback. They haven’t taken one above the 5th round since 2005. Opinions vary on the quality of the 2017 class as yet. Not surprising since it’s still early in the process. However, there are plenty of intriguing talents. One fast riser in the group is North Carolina junior Mitch Trubisky. He’s got size, a decent arm, throws accurate passes and seems comfortable from within the pocket. Never one to panic much. The talent is there, so the Bears decide to cash in by jumping back into the 1st to get him.

Oct 1, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers offensive lineman Adam Bisnowaty (69) blocks at the line of scrimmage against Marshall Thundering Herd safety C.J. Reavis (1) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 43-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

2nd Round (via CAR)

Adam Bisnowaty

OT, Pitt

This team needs stability and reliability on the edges if they’re going to move forward with a young quarterback. Adam Bisnowaty is a lynch pin for one of the best offenses in college football. He’s an athletic and sturdy blocker who does his best work in pass protection. That said he has some nasty to him, as evidenced by a willingness to get physical in run blocking. Some might view him as undersized at the moment, but he should have the frame to bulk up.

Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Quincy Wilson (6) intercepted the ball and ran it back for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers eduring the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3rd Round

Quincy Wilson

CB, Florida

Jalen Tabor is the one at Florida getting the attention of late. That said it’s so easy to overlook his wing man Quincy Wilson. He has that intriguing 6’1” frame defensive coordinators want and the athleticism to go with it. Maybe not a burner in terms of speed but he can make plays on the football. A good athlete who boasts strong instinct. In fact some believe he could end up being better than Tabor. Either way, Florida is known for producing quality NFL corners and he’s no exception.

Oct 1, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Louisville Cardinals tight end Cole Hikutini (18) carries the ball during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

4th Round

Cole Hikutini

TE, Louisville

One of the more quiet names out there is Cole Hikutini. He’s proven himself quite the playmaker in that prolific Louisville offense and a favorite target of Lamar Jackson. At 6’5” he is an inviting big target but is also a good athlete, showcasing an ability to get himself open as a receiver. The reason he falls to the 4th round? Not much of a blocker. That’s not how the Cardinals have preferred to use him. So it may take some time before that becomes a part of his game.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) gets the crowd pumped up during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Mississippi Rebels 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5th Round

Derrick Nnadi

DT, Florida State

Derrick Nnadi has really begun to come on of late for the Seminoles. He may not be a standout pass rush but the young man making a specialty out of blowing up run plays. Teams that try to pound it anywhere in his vicinity have limited success at best. He may not be tall but he uses his natural leverage to great effect. If nothing else he’s a solid nose tackle option who can help against the run. That said there is latent ability still to uncover if given the proper coaching.

November 14, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Michael Rector (3, left) is pushed out of bound by Oregon Ducks safety Tyree Robinson (3, right) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

7th Round

Tyree Robinson

S, Oregon

What sticks out about Tyree Robinson at Oregon are two things. He has a nose for the football demonstrated by three interceptions last season, and he’s 6’4”. That’s not a type-o. Robinson is a definite standout when it comes to his size. It’s hard to say where he’s at given the atrocious defense he plays on but the special physical traits make him a major upside choice this late in the draft. If the mental capabilities can catch up, he’ll be quite a spectacle on Sundays.