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Chicago Bears: Best option with the 7th pick?

By Dan Salem

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The Chicago Bears are in a tricky spot with the seventh pick in the NFL Draft. Skill players will remain, but is that how Chicago builds a winner? So many needs and only one selection. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

TODD:

With the seventh pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select…?

Chicago had all kinds of trouble last season, finishing with just five wins and one of the worst point differentials in the conference. Part of the problem was Jay Cutler behind center. That position is not going to be affected by this first-round pick though.

Instead, the Bears must look elsewhere to improve their team. They may need a replacement for new Jet Brandon Marshall. They also have a number of holes on the defensive side of the ball. Or Chicago could go the tried and true method of building depth along the offensive line, specifically at tackle where it could use someone to pair with Jermon Bushrod.

A) Kevin White
B) Danny Shelton
C) Brandon Scherff

White is likely the second receiver off the board after Amari Cooper and possesses tremendous upside at the position, with the physical tools to replace what Marshall offered if he develops.

Shelton is the best defensive tackle in the draft depending on how you classify Leonard Williams. Shelton is not a rusher but fills the interior and makes his line peers better.

And Scherff is the best o-line prospect of 2015. He may slide to guard, he may be a left tackle. It all depends, but Chicago would certainly find a place for him if it selected him seventh overall.

So what’s the correct move here? The Bears need to hit on more than just this first pick, but this is where to start.

DAN:

The Bears find themselves in a tricky spot, picking seventh in the draft. There will still be flashy skill players left when Chicago goes on the clock, but what kind of team are they trying to build in the NFC North?

The Bears had a 1000 yard rusher and receiver last season in Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery. Yet the touchdown totals were low for both, and Jay Cutler himself was the second leading rusher. Brandon Marshall slotted in fourth statistically catching the football, so I’m less concerned about replacing him and more interested in getting the ball down the field and into the endzone.

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I’m passing on White if I’m the Bears, opting instead to create opportunities for the current skill players on roster by solidifying the line play that surrounds them.

That being said, the glaring weakness of the Chicago defense last season was in the backfield, not up front. Although its difficult to pass on Shelton, the pick at number seven is Brandon Scherff.

Selecting an offensive lineman in the top ten is a hard pill for fans to swallow, but the Bears’ front office must pull the trigger. Jay Cutler can still be very good, with the right protection. A strong offensive line lowers interception totals.

Matt Forte can put up 1000 yards once again and actually score more than six touchdowns, with the right protection up front. Scherff’s ability to slide from guard to tackle adds extra viability to his selection at seven. Avoiding the flashy pick is always a challenge, but it’s how franchises become champions.

Chicago fans won’t mind Jay Cutler’s stink face when the team is winning again. They won’t mind rooting for a gunslinger when he takes them to the playoffs. It starts and ends on the offensive line and drafting Mr. Scherff.

Next: Is Marcus Mariota the answer for the Bears?

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