2016 Chicago Bears Preview: Draft Picks

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: August 12, 2016

Round 1, Pick 9 – Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

The Bears traded up two spots on draft night to select Floyd, a pass rusher with a very high ceiling. Floyd will need to put on a few pounds to hit that ceiling, but right now, nobody within the organization seems overly concerned about his weight. Floyd projects as an Aldon Smith-type, though hopefully a good amount smarter. Initially, he should come in for some passing downs.

Round 2, Pick 25 – Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State

In the second round, the Bears added a young lineman in Cody Whitehair. At this point in the draft, Whitehair was a bit of a steal; I had looked at him as a potential late 1^st-rounder. Of slight concern: Whitehair didn’t have a particularly good showing in the bench press at the combine. He looked solid-to-good elsewhere, though, and his play in college and football strength is certainly encouraging. He looks to start right away. He should be at least fine.

Round 3, Pick 9 – Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida

A great steal for Ryan Pace here. Strong and explosive, Bullard has the physical tools to see the field right away. His technique may require some polishing, though. He’ll compete with Mitch Unrein for the starting job opposite of free agent signee Akiem Hicks (more on him later) and at the very least, see a decent amount of snaps.

Round 4, Pick 15 – Nick Kwiatkowski, ILB, West Virginia

Has the instincts, maybe not so much on the physical tools. If the physical tools come – star. If they don’t (more likely) – depth guy.

Round 4, Pick 26 – Deon Bush, SS, Miami (FL)

Take what I said about Kwiatkowski and flip it. Same potential results apply.

Round 4, Pick 29 – Deiondre’ Hall, CB, Northern Iowa

Has many of the tools Vic Fangio desires in a CB.

Round 5, Pick 11 – Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana

Guys, I think Ryan Pace is good at this whole “drafting” thing. In my last mock before the draft, I had him as a 3^rd rounder and I considered that to be him falling a bit. Don’t be surprised if he ends up being a major factor in the offense this year. Not a burner, but runs hard and has a knack for finding the hole. His NFL.com draft profile compared his style to Arian Foster. Sounds about right.

Round 6, Pick 10 – DeAndre Houston-Carson, FS, William & Mary

Ceiling appears to be “depth guy.” Could be used as a nickelback-type.

Round 7, Pick 9 – Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan

The type of guy Tom Brady turns into a Pro Bowler. Can Jay Cutler do likewise?

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com