Chicago Bears Should Trade the No. 7 Pick in the 2015 NFL Draft

By Kyle Brutman | Apr 30, 2015

The Chicago Bears have some big holes to fill in the 2015 NFL Draft. Cornerback, safety, inside linebacker and pass rusher are all areas that need improvement, but the two positions that head coach John Fox’s team can address at the No. 7 spot without reaching too much are wide receiver and nose tackle.

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At wide receiver, Chicago is looking at the possibility of having West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White fall into its hands when general manager Ryan Pace is on the clock.

White was one of the NCAA’s best receivers in 2014, as well as the most improved. He made a tremendous leap from his junior to his senior year with the Mountaineers, going from 35 receptions and 507 yards in 2013 to 109 receptions and 1447 yards last season. He also doubled his touchdown total from five to 10 in those two years.

He is also one of the most NFL-ready players. The tape shows that he has the technique and physicality to be a productive wide receiver at the next level.

He tracks down long balls with relative ease, high points the football at the time of reception and is consistent in winning jump balls against opposing defenders. All of this is complemented by a roadrunner-like 4.35 40-yard dash, giving him a dynamic combination of speed and aggression.

Nov 1, 2014; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White (11) runs past TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Ranthony Texada (11) during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

With all that said, I think the Bears should go a different direction with the No. 7 pick.

As I said in my 2015 Bears mock draft, Chicago should take Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton as its first-rounder.

I think that he’s the right fit in Chicago for three reasons. Firstly, he would provide defensive coordinator Vic Fangio with a defensive tackle that is heavier than 315 pounds (the weight of the Bears’ heaviest DT, Will Sutton). Danny Shelton is officially listed at 339 pounds.

Secondly, Shelton is pretty damn good. In 2014, he finished the season with the most tackles for loss in the NCAA, as well as the most fumble recoveries. He also had 93 tackles, good for second on the Huskies. Shelton has the ideal body for an anchor in Fangio’s 3-4 defense, and his great durability will provide the Bears with a reliable nose tackle for years to come.

Finally–like I mentioned before–Shelton is at a shallow position in this draft. On the other hand, while Kevin White is hard to pass up, there is a whole lot of wide receiver talent that the Bears could take in the second and third rounds. They may not be as good as White, but with the many holes that Chicago has, it would be wise for the Bears to upgrade at two positions rather than take a prolific player at one and strikeout on the other.

However, what I did not say in my mock draft is where the Bears would take Shelton.

Shelton is the best defensive tackle in the 2015 NFL Draft. Despite this fact, ESPN’s Draft Tracker has him ranked as its No. 14 overall prospect, which means that it would likely be safe for Chicago to move down if management feel that he’s the guy.

Nov 15, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker (32) and defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) tackle Arizona Wildcats running back Nick Wilson (28) during the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

If the Bears want to make the most out of drafting Shelton–and they feel that he will still be on the board for a few picks–then they should consider trading down a couple of spots to gather draft assets.

Moving down to the No. 12 spot might be a little risky, but I think that it’s the most ideal trade for both the Bears and the holder of the 12th overall pick, the Cleveland Browns.

Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Pat McManamon reported that the Browns offered both the 12th and 19th overall picks for the Tennessee Titans’ No. 2 pick–most likely to draft Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

If the Bears trade down with the Browns and get a draft pick or two, then that would put Cleveland in prime position to trade the No. 7 and No. 19 picks (and probably another pick, perhaps a future first-rounder) for what would in all likelihood end up being Mariota.

It doesn’t seem like many teams would take a defensive tackle before the No. 12 pick, so this is a win-win for both parties. The Bears get Shelton and some extra draft picks, while the Browns get much closer to snagging a possible franchise quarterback.

Cleveland is practically begging for Marcus Mariota, so the Bears can take advantage of this situation and get a bargain of a deal.

Prediction:

Then:

. NT. Washington. Danny Shelton. 12. player. 57

Next: Chicago Bears 7-Round 2015 NFL Mock Draft

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