Chicago Bears: 7-Round 2019 mock draft, post-Combine

Pace has had success finding talent in the middle or late rounds, especially players from small schools. Drafting Jimmy Moreland could extend that success. The redshirt senior certainly has the experience, having played in 56 games at James Madison (44 of them starts). He finished his college career with a school-record 18 interceptions. He was the CAA’s 2018 Defensive Player of the Year and was a Consensus First Team All American in the FCS.

Moreland has a nose for the football. In addition to the interceptions, he also recorded 56 tackles (7.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 10 passes defended and a blocked punt. He also does a great job finding the end zone. Of his 18 interceptions, he returned 6 of them for touchdowns.

On knock on Moreland is his weight. He weighs 175 pounds, so he is outweighed by about 30 pounds on a weekly basis. He’ll go on a weight gaining program at the professional level. He doesn’t play like it, however. He is aggressive and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s a scrappy corner and once he gains weight he’ll be really dangerous as a hitter. There are players bigger than he who aren’t as willing to make contact the way Moreland does.

There was a problem with Moreland in 2015 when he was kicked off the team after being charged with petty larceny. To his credit, he took advantage of his second chance and has been great on and off the field. He kept working and going to school even though he wasn’t on the team. He spoke on how difficult it was not being on the field, per Richmond.com:

"It really hurt sometimes. Some nights I cried. But, you know, I had to get over it. Even though I had to sit out, I got better in my technique. Got better in all my stuff. Got a little bigger. And I just focused in on becoming more mature."

Moreland is a fun player to watch. His hitting makes him a fit in this defense. He is a ball hawk who not only picks the ball off but also finds the end zone. He should be another Ryan Pace steal.