NFL Draft 2012: Chicago Bears Tab DE Shea McClellin, WR Alshon Jeffrey, S Brandon Hardin

New Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery drafted for talent as opposed to need in the 2012 NFL Draft, and the results have been decidedly mixed. Emery targeted a Bears defense that is balancing being one of the best in the NFL despite getting up there in age, and if there's anything to be taken away from this year's draft, it's that an infusion of youth is coming to that side of the ball.

The Bears also took two pass catchers, the most notable of which is South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery, who was one of draft's most controversial players. For SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber, the Bears draft was a mixed bag, and he pinned a "C" grade on the team in his NFL Draft grades assessment, questioning whether they can extract value from Jeffery and if they reached for first round pick Shea McClellin.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Despite some struggles on the field in recent years, Notre Dame continues to show that it can produce NFL talent. Robert Blanton is the latest member of the Fighting Irish to be selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, as the talented corner was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the 139th pick.

Blanton was a consistently steady contributor during his time at Notre Dame, using his high football IQ to earn playing time right when he stepped foot on campus. Blanton was very productive during his junior campaign, recording 63 tackles and two interceptions.

The former Notre Dame defensive back has the ability to play either cornerback or safety for a Vikings team that is looking to improve in all areas on the defensive side of the ball. With Leslie Frazier in charge, a physical player like Blanton should have the ability to contribute early on special teams.

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The 2012 NFL Draft is shifting to the late rounds now, and the crew over as SB Nation You Tube put together some snazzy grades for each division in the NFL. The draft isn't over yet, but why not look back and see if teams maximized the value of their premium picks, right?

With regard to the NFC North grades, the Chicago Bears earned a B+ for getting a "game-breaking receiver," while the Green Bay Packers picked up a B grade. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings got a B and the Detroit Lions threw off the whole format with their unexpected picks. Can GM Phil Emery and Bears keep up their solid draft with shrewd selections in the later rounds? Stay tuned.

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There are still plenty of players hoping to be picked in the 2012 NFL Draft, and while the Chicago Bears did partially address the defensive secondary by selecting Oregon Beavers safety Brandon Hardin with the 79th pick, but GM Phil Emery said he will be playing safety so they could still use another cornerback heading into the season. The late rounds of the draft play out on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT (ESPN and NFL Network), and SB Nation's NFL Draft website, Mocking The Draft has complied a complete list of best players available for Saturday. Here are the five highest-rated cornerbacks left on the board after three rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft:

58. Alfonzo Dennard | 5'10, 205 pounds | Cornerback | Nebraska

64. Leonard Johnson | 5'10, 202 pounds | Cornerback | Iowa State

66. Brandon Boykin | 5'10, 184 pounds | Cornerback | Georgia

88. Chase Minniefield | 6'0, 185 pounds | Cornerback | Virginia

95. Josh Norman | 6'0, 190 pounds | Cornerback | Coastal Carolina

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The Chicago Bears have addressed several key needs in the 2012 NFL Draft so far, but they have yet to take an offensive lineman. General manager Phil Emery may not be able to find any prospect that would make an immediate impact on a team with Super Bowl aspirations in the final three rounds on Saturday (11:00 a.m. CT, ESPN and NFL Network), but getting developmental prospects for the future is key. Now is the time to find some developmental prospects on the offensive line and perhaps at linebacker as well, but maybe Emery sticks with his goal of finding role players for right now instead.

Here is the complete list of picks the Bears have left in the 2012 NFL Draft, heading into Saturday:

Round 4, Pick No. 16, No. 111 Overall

Round 6, Pick No. 14, No. 184 Overall

Round 7, Pick No. 13, No. 220 Overall

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on theChicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. For more on the NFL Draft, stick withSB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

Day three of the NFL Draft for the Chicago Bears continues Saturday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Bears are still looking to fill holes on the offensive line, defensive secondary, and defensive line. General Manager Phil Emery and company will have burned the midnight oil rummaging through the list of remaining players to discover the building blocks that best fits this team’s needs.

Time: Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT
Watch: ESPN and NFL Network

NFL Draft Tracker via Sports Illustrated

Here is the complete list of picks the Bears have left in the 2012 NFL Draft, heading into Saturday:

Round 4, Pick No. 16, No. 111 Overall
Round 6, Pick No. 14, No. 184 Overall
Round 7, Pick No. 13, No. 220 Overall

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on theChicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

With the 79th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Oregon Beavers safety Brandon Hardin. He is the seventh rated player at his position in the draft.

Hardin is a big fast safety at 6’2" with an arm length of 31 ¾ and hands that are bigger than average. He was not invited to the Combine but participated instead at the Workout Warrior Pro Day where he ran a 4.46 40-time. He also ran an impressive shuttle and 3-cone time.

Hardin missed the entire 2011 season with a broken shoulder blade. He also was injured in 2008 with a fractured left hand and wrist.

NFL Draft videos are available at the SB Nation Youtube link with focus on Divisional specific information.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit SB Nation Chicago's NFL Draft storystream. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

Illinois Fighting Illini safety Tavon Wilson has been selected No. 48 overall by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. New England is seemingly constantly in need of defensive backs, and Wilson gives Bill Belichick's defense another athletic young defender.

Wilson is the fourth Illini player selected in the 2012 Draft thus far. Defensive end Whitney Mercilus and wide receiver were each first round draft picks, and offensive tackle Jeff Allen was a second round pick.

Wilson was ranked the 14th best free safety by Pro Football Weekly's draft guide. This certainly seems like a reach for New England, though if anyone has earned the benefit of the doubt, it's Belichick.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit SB Nation Chicago's NFL Draft storystream. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Illinois Fighting Illini offensive tackle Jeff Allen in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Allen is the third Illini player selected thus far, after first round picks defensive end Whitney Mercilus and wide receiver A.J. Jenkins.

Allen measured at 6-4, 307 lbs. at the combine and ran a 5.22 40-yard dash. He started all 13 games for Illinois in 2011 at right tackle, and finished his career with 47 consecutive starts for the Illini.

Allen is said to have nice versatility in that he can play either side of the line. Scouts have lauded his size and have noted he is "country strong". Allen isn't in great shape, and is said to have a big belly.

Versatility, durability and football smarts are all considered a plus.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit SB Nation Chicago's NFL Draft storystream. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

With the 45th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have selected Alshon Jeffery, a wide receiver from the University of South Carolina, who came into the NFL Draft as a second or early third round draft pick.

Jeffery is a big, physical wideout (6-foot-2, 213 lbs.) that made a name for himself with the Gamecocks by routinely snagging one-handed catches as well drawing the ire of fans for crucial drops. Jeffery is more likely to out-muscle defensive backs than to blow by them with pure speed, and several scouts have noted he lacks explosiveness off the line. However, he finished his career at South Carolina with an impressive 3,042 yards receiving in the defensively dominant SEC.

The Bears' next pick is No. 79 overall. Jeffrey will team with recent acquisition Brandon Marshall to give Chicago a pair of big targets for wide receiver Jay Cutler.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit SB Nation Chicago's NFL Draft storystream. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For even comprehensive coverage of the NFL Draft, visit Mocking The Draft.

The newly-drafted, first round pick DE Shea McClellin spoke with the Chicago Bears media for the first time on Friday, sharing some thoughts and emotions surrounding the draft day, as well as clarifying the details regarding some supposed concussions he had while in college:

#Bears DE @SheaMcClellin on report of three concussions: "Basically, just one. I don’t know where three came from."

— Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) April 27, 2012

Coming out of college, many expected McLellin would play outisde linebacker -- ESPN have even ranked him the top OLB prospect. The Bears, however, feel he will work best as a defensive end in Chicago's 4-3 scheme, and McClellin appears to agree:

McClellin: "Think I fit well in a 4-3. I consider myself a rush end."

— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) April 27, 2012

McClellin also shared his excitement about being able to play with NFL greats such as DE Julius Peppers, MLB Brian Urlacher and OLB Lance Briggs, though the 22-year-old expects he will be able to contribute immediately on special teams.

And though McClellin has never stepped foot in the Windy City, he appears to already be making some important connections:

Shea: "Jay Cutler texted me last night and congratulated me."

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 27, 2012

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Draft guru Mel Kiper has released his latest projections for the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and his prognostications suggest the Chicago Bears will select LB Zach Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Brown started for three seasons with the Tar Heels, collecting 7 interceptions and over 200 tackles in his career.

According to Kiper, Brown could help build a foundation for continued defensive success:

50. Chicago Bears

Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Chicago's linebackers are a great group but an aging one. Here's some fresh help.

The second round of the 2012 NFL Draft continues Firday night, starting a 6:00 p.m. CDT.

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The latest mock draft from SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber foresees the Chicago Bears building on the offense. Bibber's Round 2 Mock Draft predicts the Bears will select OT Bobby Massie of the Mississippi Rebels.

Picking with the overall No. 50 slot, the Bears seem likely to improve an offensive line that allowed the second-highest sack rate in the NFL, giving up a sack on 9.4% of all passing plays. Massie had been projected to go as high as the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft, so he would presumably be a bargain if the Bears can draft him midway through the second round.

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The Chicago Bears and new general manager Phil Emery turned more than a few heads by selecting Boise St. Broncos prospect Shea McClellin with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, but Emery is excited about McClellin's natural athleticism and plans to start him off as a left defensive end opposite Julius Peppers, according to the team website. The Bears' GM told Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com that the 6-foot-3, 260-pound edge rusher plays with a low pad level and has a "very natural ability to find the right path to the ball off blocks to make the tackle as quick as possible."

Interestingly, Emery also emphasized that McClellin is considered an all-downs football player and will contribute on special teams as well. He earned a "blue grade level" on special teams in the team's scouting process, which is the highest grade the team gives out to prospects. Still, the No. 19 pick will have to make a big impact on defense in order to justify the selection and turn Chicago's pass rush into a serious weapon in 2012-13.

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The Chicago Bears and general manager Phil Emery waited patiently until pick No. 19 in Round One of the 2012 NFL Draft, and they got their man in defensive end Shea McClellin, but there is still plenty of work to do. Despite all of the trades on Thursday, the Bears have yet to do any draft-day dealing and they hold six more picks as a result, including No. 50 Overall, No. 79 Overall, No. 111 Overall and 150 Overall.

The Bears still need to fill in holes on the offensive line, at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary, so Emery and company will have to get creative to shore up the roster at each of those positions unless everything falls just right.

Here is the complete list of picks the Bears have left in the 2012 NFL Draft, heading into Friday:

Round 2, Pick No. 18, No. 50 Overall

Round 3, Pick No. 17, No. 79 Overall

Round 4, Pick No. 16, No. 111 Overall

Round 5, Pick No. 15, No. 150 Overall

Round 6, Pick No. 14, No. 184 Overall

Round 7, Pick No. 13, No. 220 Overall

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Round 1 of the 2012 NFL Draft is complete, and after a cluster of trades and interesting picks Joel Thorman at SB Nation NFL has handed out NFL Draft Grades for each team in Round One. In the NFC North, Thorman dished out the following marks: the Chicago Bears are saddled with a "C" grade for reaching to get defensive end Shea McClellin at No. 19, the Minnesota Vikings earned a "B" for picking up extra selections and still getting Matt Kalil, the Detroit Lions also grabbed a "B" for taking OT Riley Reiff and the Green Bay Packers snatched a "B" as well for taking Nick Perry.

If you don't think the Bears deserve a "C" and want a different perspective from the SB Nation staff, be sure to check out the video breakdown by the SB Nation YouTube team embedded below.

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The Chicago Bears made some waves in Round 1 of the 2012 NFL Draft by taking Boise State Broncos defensive end Shea McClellin with the 19th pick, but now the team may focus on offense in Round 2 and Round 3, which will both unfold on Friday night (6 p.m. MT, ESPN and NFL Network). McClellin is a high-motor pass-rusher that general manager Phil Emery said will start at left defensive end in training camp -- opposite star DE Julius Peppers -- but now the Bears need to look at adding depth along the offensive line, at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary in the later rounds.

SB Nation's NFL Draft site, Mocking The Draft, set up a Round 2 Mock Draft for the 2012 NFL Draft, and the Bears are projected to select Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu at pick No. 50. Sanu is the fifth-rated wide receiver in the 2012 NFL Draft, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings.

Could the Bears trade back for additional picks? Phil Emery's draft philosophy will continue to unfold in front of our eyes, and every moment provides a bit more insight on how he plans to build a long-term contender in Chicago.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on theChicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

As the NFL Draft has slowly become a marquee national event, the scheduling has gotten increasingly complicated. After finishing off the first round of this year's draft on Thursday night, the second and third rounds of the draft are scheduled to be completed on Friday night in another nationally televised event.

Starting at 7 p.m. EST, all 32 NFL teams return to the clock to make their picks for the next two rounds of the draft. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson were the first three players selected in the first round on Thursday night.

If you're a fan of watching the draft, the fact that it's being spread out over three days like this is probably a pleasure to soak in. The remaining four rounds of the draft go down on Saturday.

Date: Friday, April 27, 2012

Time: 6:00 p.m. CT

Location: Radio City Music Hall, New York City, New York

TV: ESPN and NFL Network

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The Minnesota Vikings have selected Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith with the 29th overall pick in this year's NFL draft, bolstering one of the weakest secondaries in the NFL from last season. Smith was considered one of the top safeties in the draft class, giving the team another premium prospect in addition to fourth overall pick Matt Kalil.

During the 2011 season, Smith had 85 tackles and two forced fumbles for the Fighting Irish, emerging as one of the nation's best players at the position. Only Alabama's Mark Barron, who was taken with the seventh overall pick by Tampa Bay, was rated higher among safeties coming into the draft.

Generally speaking, Smith was projected by most analysts as a second-round pick for the draft, but it's not surprising at all to see him slip into the bottom of the first round.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for the latest. For more on the Irish, head over to One Foot Down. Drop by SB Nation NFL and Mocking The Draft for comprehensive coverage of the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Houston Texans have drafted Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus with the 26th overall pick in this year's NFL draft, giving the team a new pass rusher to replace the recently departed Mario Williams. The former No. 1 overall pick left Houston during the offseason to sign a long-term deal with the Buffalo Bills.

In Mercilus, the Texans get one of the elite pass rushers in the nation from last season. In his breakout 2011 season, he was a consensus All-American for the Fighting Illini, leading the nation with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles while playing in the competitive Big Ten Conference.

He's the fourth defensive end selected in the draft so far, following UNC's Quinton Coples (taken 16th by New York), South Carolina's Melvin Ingram (taken 18th by San Diego) and Syracuse's Chandler Jones (taken 21st by New England).

With the 19th pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears selected Boise State Broncos defensive end/outside linebacker Shea McClellin. McClellin is the eighth-rated defensive end in the draft, according to Mocking The Draft's rankings. He is a high-motor pass-rusher that improved each season as a three-year starter for Boise St.

According to Mocking The Draft’s scouting report on McClellin, he is a relentless pass rusher, plays with a high motor and is an ideal fit to attack off the edge in a 3-4 scheme. The Bears' next pick is the 50th overall pick in the second round, which they could potentially use on a pass rusher, offensive lineman or wide receiver.

For more on the 2012 NFL Draft, visit SB Nation Chicago's storystream. For a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft results (hyperlinked) as they happen, visit SBNation.com. For more on McClellin, head over to Boise State Broncos blog One Bronco Nation Under God. For more on the NFL Draft, stick with SB Nation NFL and Mocking the Draft.

In their final mock draft before the 2012 NFL Draft gets underway Thursday night, Pro Football Talk predicts that the Chicago Bears will select defensive end Whitney Mercilus from the University of Illinois.

Related: Chicago Bears/ NFL Draft: Pre-Party Open Thread

The Bears have been connected to Mercilus by a number of draft analysts in the leadup to Thursday night's first round, as the defensive end position is a clear area of need for the franchise. And now that the team has addressed the wide receiver position by acquiring Brandon Marshall from Miami, it could make a defensive selection more likely.

Mercilus had a huge year for the Illini in 2011, finishing the season with 16 sacks.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. Drop by SB Nation NFL and Mocking The Draft for comprehensive coverage of the 2012 NFL Draft.

The 2012 NFL Draft begins Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. ET. The first two picks should go presumably -- or at least comparatively -- quickly. The Colts have confirmed they will select QB Andrew Luck with the top overall pick in the draft, and the Redskins -- having traded up to the No. 2 spot -- are widely expected to take QB Robert Griffin III.

After that, prognosticators can claim with certainty only the NFL draft order.

Though trade are likely to realign it as it goes, the current NFL Draft Order is as follows:

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The advanced analysis site, Football Outsiders, has developed a new mock draft system called the Mocktopus which predicts the Chicago Bears will select DE Chandler Jones with the No. 19 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft:

19. Chicago Bears / Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The late-rising Chandler Jones is likely to go in the first-round, and the Bears could use pass rush help, so it’s a decent enough fit.

The Mocktopus system -- which combines prospect rankings, positional priorities and mock drafts from across the internet -- suggest the Bears will miss out on Illinois Fighting Illini DE Whitney Mercilus, who will fall to the San Diego Chargers at No. 18.

Jones should make more than a suitable replacement for Mercilus, however. The three-year starter for the Syracuse Orange collecting 10.0 sacks and 27.0 tackles for a loss in his collegiate career.

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The Chicago Bears are hours away from their first selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, and the latest mock draft from the Tribune's Dan Pompei suggest the Bears will keep it local, selecting Illinois Fighting Illini DE Whitney Mercilus:

19. Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

He fills their most pressing need and gives them good value. Brockers also could make sense if he falls.

Mercilus led all of Division I college football programs with 16.0 sacks and 9 forced fumbles. The 22-year-old defensive end also won a slew of honors following the 2011 season -- his first as a starter -- including the Ted Hendricks Award for the nation's top defensive end.

The 2012 NFL Draft begins Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. The Bears select at No. 19.

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Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery takes over his first-ever draft with the franchise on Thursday night as the 2012 NFL Draft starts at 7 p.m. CT on NFL Network and ESPN, and in Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2012 NFL Mock Draft the Chicago Bears are projected to select Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones with the No. 19 overall pick. Kiper believes DE is the top need on the Bears' draft board, so Jones is their man after Whitney Mercilus gets taken one pick earlier by the San Diego Chargers.

Linebacker Luke Kuechly comes off the board at No. 9 overall to the Carolina Panther, while DE Quinton Coples goes at No. 14 to the Dallas Cowboys and WR Michael Floyd is snatched up by the New York Jets at No. 16 overall. Interestingly, Jones is listed as the No. 44 overall prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft by Mocking The Draft.

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The first-round of the 2012 NFL Draft is set for Thursday night at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN, and Todd McShay's final 2012 NFL Mock Draft has the Chicago Bears selecting Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dont'a Hightower with the No. 19 overall pick. McShay thinks new general manager Phil Emery has plenty holes to fill at offensive tackle, tight end, offensive guard, defensive end, defensive tackle and cornerback, but he still lists Hightower as the team's first pick in the draft.

Interestingly, LB Luke Kuechly comes off the board at No. 10 overall to the Buffalo Bills, while DE Quinton Coples and CB Dre Kirkpatrick are both still on the board when the Bears make their selection. Hightower is listed as the second-best ILB prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft, according to Mocking The Draft.

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The 2012 NFL Draft starts on Thursday night at 7 p.m. central time with Round 1 at Radio City Music Hall, and the Chicago Bears will be very busy trying to maximize the value of the No. 19 pick overall. New general manager Phil Emery still needs to address holes in the defensive secondary, along the offensive line and at wide receiver, but there should be an impact player on the board at one of those positions when the Bears are on the clock.

Prospects like Michael Floyd, Whitney Mercilus, Quinton Coples and Dre Kirkpatrick have been linked to Chicago over the past few months, but in SB Nation's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Ryan Van Bibber has projected that all of those guys will be off the draft board by pick No. 19. As a result, he believes the Chicago Bears will select USC defensive end Nick Perry.

Getting another pass rusher is a top priority for the Bears, and Van Bibber thinks Perry would fill the need:

19. Chicago Bears, Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Bears could go several directions here. Going with a pass rusher in the first round, something that would help considerably in the NFC North, is a smart move. Speaking of moves, Perry has them.

Perry is listed as the seventh-best defensive end prospect in the draft according to Mocking The Draft.

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Finally, after a seemingly endless amount of rumors and projections over the past month, the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall. The festivities will get under way at 7:00 p.m. local time.

The Chicago Bears currently hold the No. 19 overall selection in the first round and are predicted by most to focus on a pass rusher.

The first two selections in the draft are already known. The Indianapolis Colts have announced they'll select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the top overall pick. The Washington Redskins are poised to select quarterback Robert Griffin III out of Baylor with the second pick.

Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012

Time: 7:00 p.m. CT

Location: Radio City Music Hall, New York City, New York

TV: ESPN and NFL Network

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The wait is finally coming to an end. On Thursday night, the first round of the NFL Draft begins and the Chicago Bears hold the No. 19 overall selection. The Bears have been linked to a variety of players, though recently most have come to a consensus that Chicago will select a defensive lineman. Is it genuine or a smokescreen from new Bears GM Phil Emery? We will find out on Thursday night.

In the Tribune's latest mock draft, Sam Farmer has the Bears taking USC defensive end Nick Perry.

19. Bears: Nick Perry, DE, USC

In a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, the Bears welcome any help they can get generating a pass rush

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The Chicago Bears have been tied to several prospects in the NFL Draft throughout the process, from Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd to Illinois Fighting Illini defensive end Whitney Mercilus. Now, on the eve of the first round, there's a new name been associated with Chicago: Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones.

Mike Mayock of the NFL Network is a respected voice in draft circles, and he gave Jones to the Bears in his only mock draft on Wednesday. Mayock also gave Jones a glowing review.

The Bears cannot believe Chandler Jones has fallen to them. The general public might not know a lot about him, but my view is -- and I'll take a lot of heat for this -- three years from now, he might be the best defensive player to come out of this draft.

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In his final mock draft before the NFL Draft begins on Thursday, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks projects the Chicago Bears to select North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples with the No. 19 overall pick in the first round. With Chicago seemingly turning its focus towards the defense early in the draft, Banks sees an easy fit:

Everybody seems to think the Bears are in the market for another pass rusher to help lighten the load on Julius Peppers, so why not go out and land his fellow Tar Heel? He's the most accomplished sack artist at North Carolina since Peppers went second overall in 2002.

With the Bears in the market for a pass rusher, Coples could potentially be an ideal fit. He didn't dominate for the Tar Heels like some thought he would, but he's a quality athlete that's got significant potential in the right system. Other defensive ends being projected around Chicago's pick are Syracuse's Chandler Jones and Illinois' Whitney Mercilus.

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In his latest 2012 NFL mock draft, NFL.com's Charley Casserley projects that the New York Jets will select Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus with the 16th overall pick. Casserley calls Mercilus "a better outside rush prospect than Melvin Ingram." Some mock drafts have had the Jets going with Ingram -- a defensive end from South Carolina -- in the first round.

Related: NFL Draft 2012, Whitney Mercilus: NFL.com's Greg Cosell Projects Illinois DE Will Be Taken By Titans

In a breakout 2011 season with Illinois, Mercilus finished with 16 sacks and a total of 22.5 tackles for loss in 13 games played. He led the Big Ten Conference in each of those categories.

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In his 2012 mock draft for NFL.com, Greg Cosell projects that Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus will be selected 20th overall by the Tennessee Titans. While Cosell says Mercilus is "a little bit of a straight line rusher with a limited repertoire," he feels the defensive end can provide the pass-rushing boost that the Titans need.

Mercilus was one of the most intriguing players I watched on tape. He rarely aligned wide in Illinois' defense, which significantly limited his pass-rush space and minimized his initial burst off the ball and his overall athleticism. The Titans need to rush the quarterback better (only 28 sacks in 2011), and they can select Mercilus and line him up wide to maximize his pass-rush ability. At this point, Mercilus is a little bit of a straight line rusher with a limited repertoire, but there's no question he has burst and closing speed.

Related: NFL Draft 2012: Bears' Coach Lovie Smith Excited About Draft, Satisfied With Offseason

Mercilus had 16 sacks during the 2011 college football season.

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In his latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, NFL.com analyst Charley Casserly projects that the Chicago Bears will select Chandler Jones with the No. 19 pick of the first round. Jones is a defensive end out of Syracuse University. As for his reasoning, Casserly says simply, "Chicago must get younger at defensive end."

Related: NFL Draft 2012: Bears' Coach Lovie Smith Excited About Draft, Satisfied With Offseason

After the Bears acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall from Miami, more and more analysts have the Bears going with a defensive end in the first round, though Jones' name hasn't often been associated with Chicago in that spot.

Jones had 4.5 sacks and a total of 7.5 tackles for loss in seven games for the Orange last season.

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Fans are not the only group excited about the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. Love Smith, the head coach of the Chicago Bears, expressed some of his own emotions on Tuesday, sounding a bit a member of the fanbase rather than the organization:

Lovie Smith on draft: "It's almost like the day before the big game and you're just waiting for that time to come with a lot of excitement."

— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) April 24, 2012

The Bears head coach has witnessed some impressive turnover this offseason with the team replacing GM Jerry Angelo with GM Phil Emery as well as a number of player personnel additions, including a trade for WR Brandon Marshall. Through it all, Smith appears to be pleased with the team's direction:

Lovie Smith: "I can't see anything else we could have done [more than we have] to really improve our ball club before the draft."

— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) April 24, 2012

The 2012 NFL Draft begins this Thursday, April 26, and ends on Saturday.

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Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery is on record saying he's looking at seven players in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday night. The Bears will certainly have plenty of options with the No. 19 overall pick, though it looks more and more like they'll be targeting a defensive player.

One player who has been tied to the Bears for months is Illinois Fighting Illini defensive end Whitney Mercilus. In his latest mock draft at NFL.com, Bucky Brooks has Mercilus going to Chicago at No. 19.

The Bears could look to add another receiver to the lineup to help Jay Cutler take the offense to another level, but the opportunity to add an athletic rusher like Mercilus will help Chicago compete against a talented slate of quarterbacks in the NFC North. Mercilus led the nation with 16 sacks, and he could provide an immediate impact playing opposite Julius Peppers on the edges.

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Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery said Monday that he and his staff are considering a pool of about seven prospects with their first round pick. The Bears, who have the 19th selection of the first round, figure to have some wide receivers and defensive linemen in that mix.

Emery also spoke about the flexibility that's been afforded them by their offseason acquisitions:

''What we've done in free agency really allows us a chance to go one way or the other,'' Emery said Monday at a pre-draft press conference at Halas Hall. ''We can draft into a perceived strength so that we make sure we get the player that's going to help us win a championship the quickest way possible. Or we can go and fill maybe what we perceive as a need. So it has given us great flexibility.''

Related: NFL Draft 2012: Bears Open To Making Trades, Impressed With WR, DL Depth

The 2012 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, April 26.

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The NFL is bringing in alums from each franchise to announce the selections on day two of the 2012 NFL Draft, which includes the second and third rounds. Announcing the picks by the Chicago Bears will be former linebacker Otis Wilson, who helped Chicago to a win in Super Bowl XX.

The NFL disclosed Monday that 33 of its alumni — one for each team and two for the St. Louis Rams — will announce each second- and third-round pick on Friday’s second day of the draft. The league began this approach last year and hopes to make it an annual tradition.

Related: Poll Of The Day: Do you think the Bears will trade the 19th pick?

Wilson spent eight seasons with Chicago and earned one trip to the Pro Bowl.

The 2012 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 26.

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According Phil Emery, the general manager of the Chicago Bears, the team may look trade their first round pick in the 2012 draft, claiming there is a "sense of urgency":

Asked if he will be inclined to [trade the No. 19 pick], Emery said, "’We’ll do whatever it takes for us to get the best players that we feel can get us closest to the championship in the fastest way possible.

"There is a sense of urgency. We want to be as good as we can be -- this year and moving forward. Obviously we want to get players that have shelf life, that we’re going to see here five, seven, eight nine years down the road. But we also want to move and get to the layers that we feel can help us the most..."

Emery, along with the Bears coaching and scouting staff, have deemed the draft rich in potential targets that fit the team's perceived needs at wide receiver and defensive line:

"We looked at the draft and we do every year in our planning process," Emery said. "We come up with our own mocks... So in the conclusion, looking at that and versus the average numbers of players at their positions, historically I would say that this is a good draft for wideouts, I would say that this is a good draft for defensive ends and defensive tackles.

The NFL Draft begins this Thursday and goes until Saturday, April 28.

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After impressive showings at the 2012 NFL Combine and Notre Dame's Pro Day, there was talk that Michael Floyd could jump consensus No. 1 wide receiver Justin Blackmon, who is seen by some as overrated by draft watchers and prognosticators. That talk has seemed to slow down of late, but if Floyd did jump Blackmon in the 2012 NFL Draft, it would be surprising but not necessarily shocking. Crazier things certainly have happened.

That scenario is played out in SB Nation's most recent 2012 mock draft, with the Miami Dolphins tabbing Floyd as their wide receiver of the future after presumably whiffing on Ryan Tannehill. Here's SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber on the projection:

8. Miami Dolphins, Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Brandon Marshall is gone. Miami needs a No. 1 receiver to replace him, and they'll pick Floyd over Blackmon with both on the board.

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With the Chicago Bears picking at No. 19 overall in what many believe to be one of the most unpredictable drafts in years, it's hard to say what exactly Chicago will do— or will be able to do— when it is finally time for them to be on the clock. But with the Bears having addressed their need at wide receiver when they traded for Brandon Marshall, and with the 2012 NFL Draft deep in defensive line prospects, there's a good shot that the new Chicago front office will target its pass rush.

With those things in mind, Ryan Van Bibber of SB Nation has given the Bears USC defensive lineman Nick Perry in his most recent NFL mock draft. Perry was a stalwart for the Trojans during their resurgent 2011 season, and his ability to play both inside and outside will be attractive to many teams, the Bears likely included.

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Though the Bears have not used any of their pre-draft visit to work out any defensive tackles, Michael C. Wright at ESPN thinks that's where they're looking:

Depth at defensive tackle took a major hit for the Chicago Bears with the departure in free agency of Amobi Okoye and the decision to release veteran Anthony Adams.

Outside of starters Henry Melton and Matt Toeaina, rising second-year man Stephen Paea is the only defensive tackle on the roster with experience, meaning this is likely a position the Bears would look to address in the NFL draft.

A number of other mock drafts have suggested the Bears will use their first round pick (19th overall) to select a defensive end. Whatever the case, bolstering their pass rush is a clear need for the 2012-2013 Bears. Strong prospects like Fletcher Cox, Dontari Poe or Michael Brockers could all add something to the Cubs defense.

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As we close in on the 2012 NFL Draft, Drafttek.com is releasing computer-generated mock drafts every few days based on established needs for each organization and a "Big Board" that ranks every prospect in terms of value. In their latest edition that came out recently, they project the Chicago Bears to take Clemson defensive end Andre Branch with the No. 19 pick:

Bears sources are now saying that the most likely scenario in the first round will be for Emery to focus on the D-Line. Branch fits the need for a bookend pass rusher, but Chicago could go in several directions here. With the defection of A. Okoye and the age of C. Tillman, DT and CB are both in play as well. Q. Coples is the prize if he falls due to concerns about effor, but include Branch in a group of potential picks that includes Poe, Brockers, Kirkpatrick and Gilmore.

After it seemed like the Bears would use the draft to address their offense early in the offseason, it's become increasingly likely that they go in a different direction with their first pick. Landing a pass rusher seems to be the most commonly brought up suggestion, and they've been rumored to be seriously interested in Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus.

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In agreement with the growing suspicion that the Chicago Bears will select a defensive player with their No. 19 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the analysts at Sporting News predict Chicago will miss DE Whitney Mercilus and instead select DE Chandler Jones of the Syracuse Orange:

19. Chicago Bears: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The Bears appear to be targeting Whitney Mercilus, who is an ideal fit in a 4-3. But with Mercilus gone to San Diego, the fallback option is Jones. The 6-5 1/2, 266-pounder has recovered from a knee injury, and the Bears need him to spell overworked ends Israel Idonije and Julius Peppers. — Gene Chamberlain, free-lancer

According to Sports-Reference.com, Jones compiled 38 tackles in the 2011 NCAA season, including 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 1 interception.

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Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus had a fantastic season at Illinois in 2011, but with only one exceptional year of production to his credit, some NFL teams are a worried about spending a first round draft pick on him. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock says Mercilus has trouble at the point of attack, but also calls him "one of the most gifted natural pass rushers" in the 2012 draft class. He suggests Mercilus could have an impact as sort of a pass-rushing specialist, kind of like Aldon Smith did in San Francisco last season.

"He's one of the most gifted natural pass rushers in this draft. What I would say is that even though he repped out 225, 27 times and the numbers look good on tape he can struggle at the point of attack in the run game and I think that's the biggest concern -- if you draft him today in the first round, how many snaps are you going to get out of him? Maybe it'll be similar to what Aldon Smith did with San Francisco [14 sacks as a rookie in 2011] -- he's a situational pass rusher that's disruptive and effective and he'll grow into that point-of-attack role where he'll be a three-down player."

Related: 2012 NFL Draft: DE Whitney Mercilus Draft Profile

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The Chicago Bears hold the No. 50 overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and with needs along the offensive line they will need to make savvy late-round picks to create quality depth heading into the 2012-13 season and beyond. Wes Bunting of the National Football Post created a two-round mock for the 2012 NFL Draft and he has Chicago taking Wisconsin Badgers Offensive Guard Kevin Zeitler at No. 50.

Here's what Bunting had to say about the Zeitler pick :

A tough, strong in-line guy who you can run behind and also has some coordination on the move. Not as effective in the pass game, but can mature into an average NFL pass blocker if he learns to get off the ball more consistently. Looks like a gritty type starter early on in his NFL career to me.

The former Badger guard is listed as the fifth-best prospect at his position by SB Nation's NFL Draft site, Mocking The Draft.

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The Chicago Bears received a visit from South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram on Wednesday, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. The Bears hold the No. 19 pick in the upcoming draft and Ingram is considered one of the most talented defensive players in the class.

Ingram was a consensus All-American for the Gamecocks after an impressive season at defensive end. A former linebacker, Ingram recorded ten sacks and two interceptions as part of one of the nation's top defenses under coach Steve Spurrier.

The Bears have been rumored to be looking for help on the defensive line, and Ingram would certainly fit the bill. He's highly-regarded and may not be on the board when Chicago's pick comes up, but there's obviously a pretty good fit here.

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ESPN Chicago is reporting that the Chicago Bears recently invited South Carolina Gamecocks WR Alshon Jeffery for a visit to the Bears headquarters at Halas Hall. The 22-year-old wide receiver has played three seasons with the Gamecocks and in 2010, was a Fred Biletnikoff Award finalist -- the award for the nation's top collegiate wide receiver.

Here is a look at Jeffery's stats from the 2011 NCAA football season:

ESPN currently rates Jeffery as the No. 6 wide receiver prospect in the nation.

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Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery has been diligently preparing for his first 2012 NFL Draft, and he is armed with five selections in the top 150 picks, but the Bears have plenty of needs on the offensive line and depth issues at wide receiver and along the defensive secondary. Prospects like Illinios DE Whitney Mercilus and Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick may tempt Emery, yet Peter King of Sports Illustrated thinks the Bears should select Stanford OT Jonathan Martin, but that they will take Baylor WR Kendall Wright with the No. 19 overall pick:

Peter King's Full 2012 NFL Mock Draft On Sports Illustrated

WILL PICK - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

SHOULD PICK - Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

I'd be stunned if Chicago doesn't fortify its perpetually patchwork offensive line, but I've been stunned before. Coach Lovie Smith had dinner with Wright at Baylor's pro day in March, and I hear he was impressed-enough so to select Wright to go with Brandon Marshall, creating a suddenly formidable wideout corps for quarterback Jay Cutler.

SB Nation's NFL Draft site, Mocking the Draft, has Kendall Wright listed at the No. 3 WR prospect (click here for scouting report), while Martin is the second-best OT behind USC's Matt Kalil (click here for scouting report). In King's mock, Mercilus comes off the board at No. 20 to the Tennessee Titans and Kirkpatrick lands with the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 21 pick.

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd may have the most volatile position in the 2012 NFL Draft. After impressive showings at the NFL Combine and at Notre Dame's Pro Day, there has been speculation that Floyd could end up in the bottom of the top 10, maybe even passing Justin Blackmon. Or, as predicted by SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber in his most recent NFL Mock Draft, he may fall as far as the Chicago Bears.

With the Bears having acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Miami Dolphins this offseason, it remains to be seen if they covet a young receiver as much as most draft analysts think. That said, if Floyd slipped to No. 19, it may be hard for the Bears to pass him up.

Here is Van Bibber on the projection:

19. Chicago Bears, Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Even with Brandon Marshall, the Bears need more offensive weaponry for Jay Cutler. Floyd answered questions about his downfield speed at the Combine, and would give the Bears another big man to go with Marshall.

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The Illinois Fighting Illini will be losing one of their top defensive weapons this offseason, but the NFL will be gaining a top-tier talent. DE Whitney Mercilus, starting for the first time in his collegiate career in 2011, collected an impressive 16 sacks and 8 forced fumbles -- good for best in the nation.

The SB Nation YouTube team has focused in on Mercilus in their latest draft profile:

According to the NFL Draft analysts, Mercilus should be more than just a pure pass rusher:

"The perfect blend of size and speed, Mercilus is versatile enough to hold his own in run support when he's not barreling down on QBs."

While the Chicago Bears are believe to be looking for additions to the defensive line, it is unlikely the Illinois grad will stay in state as Chicago does not pick until No. 19 in the first round.

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In this 2012 NFL mock draft, each SB Nation NFL community was tasked with making the selection for his or her franchise. Chicago Bears blog Windy City Gridiron chose to go with Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd in the first round; the chance to improve the receiving corps and complement Brandon Marshall proved too enticing to pass on for WCG:

Just imagine... 2011: Devin Hester (5'11, 190), Johnny Knox (6'0, 190), Earl Bennett (6'0, 200). And then 2012: Brandon Marshall (6'4, 230), Michael Floyd (6'3, 225). Sure, the Chicago Bears offensive line still needs some significant work, but seeing a WR like Floyd fall in their lap in the first round would be too much to pass up.

Related: 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay Of ESPN Breaks Down Bears' Pick At No. 19

You can read WCG's full explanation at the link.

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Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery just locked up linebacker Lance Briggs for an additional season on Wednesday, and he wheeled a big trade for wide receiver Brandon Marshall last month, but the 2012 NFL Draft is the next big challenge on his plate. The Bears have serious needs on the offensive line and in the secondary, but they could also use more depth on the defensive line, in the linebacking corps and at wide receiver. Todd McShay of ESPN released his 2012 NFL Mock Draft update, and in this version he projects South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the Bears, but the focus is on tackling four different scenarios that could arise:

Scenario 1: Gilmore could be a top-15 pick, and while he's still developing in terms of instincts he has the size, athleticism and speed to become a No. 1 corner. And a team that will face Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford four times a year has to be able to cover on the perimeter.

Scenario 2: Upgrade at defensive end with Upshaw, who could add to the pass rush and bolster the run defense.

Scenario 3: Address a need at left tackle with Ohio State's Mike Adams or Stanford's Jonathan Martin.

Scenario 4: If Gilmore is off the board the Bears could choose to address their corner need with Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick or North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins. There are character concerns with Jenkins, but he has more man-to-man cover skills than Kirkpatrick.

Two interesting players McShay leaves on the board with the Gilmore pick are Baylor Bears WR Kendall Wright (No. 21) and Ohio St. Buckeyes OT Mike Adams (No. 32).

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The Chicago Bears are projected to take Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus with the No. 19 overall pick in the latest mock draft from Sports Illustrated's Don Banks. Rumors have come out stating that the Bears may focus on defense at the beginning of the draft after aggressively adding offensive help through free agency and trades, so this projection bodes with those.

Going for an offensive tackle or a cornerback would be solid need/value picks at this point in the round, but pass rushers always carry their own temptation. In Mercilus, the homestate product gives the Bears defense a boost in a division that features games against Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford at least four times a year.

For an aging defense, getting some younger talents will likely be a key focus going forward. Julius Peppers is still one of the very best defensive ends in the NFL, but he's getting up there in years and Mercilus would give the Bears another pass rusher to take some pressure off their star players.

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The Chicago Bears may look to build the defensive line in their next draft, according to the latest NFL Mock Draft from analyst Ryan Van Bibber.

Bibber digs through all 32 first-round picks and forecasts the Bears going big with No. 19 -- as in a 6'4", 300 lbs kind of big:

19. Chicago Bears, Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Amobi Okoye is gone, and Chicago needs someone to take over for the disappointing defensive tackle. Enter Cox who should help give the Bears a more effective pass rush as a player who can work his way through interior linemen.

Cox played all but two games in the 2011 NCAA Football season and collected 5.0 sacks with 55 tackles through 11 games and was fifth in the SEC with 14 tackles for loss. The Bears were tied for 19th in the league with a 33 sacks, but 28th in the leagues with only a 5% sack rate.

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As the 2012 NFL Draft approaches, opinions differ as to where Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus will be drafted. NFL.com's Chad Reuter projects that the New England Patriots will select Mercilus with the 27th pick of the first round. Here's what he has to say about that projection:

Bill Belichick may see Mercilus as a younger version of Mark Anderson, who went to the division-rival Bills as a free agent after racking up 10 sacks for New England last season. The nation's leading sacker in 2011 is expected to become the sort of hybrid end/linebacker pass rusher the Patriots prefer in their multiple-front scheme.

Mercilus finished the 2011 season with 16.0 sacks.

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Earlier in the year, it seemed as though most draft projections had the Chicago Bears selecting a wide receiver in the first round, but now there appears to be a bit more disagreement. NFL.com's Chad Reuter projects that the Bears will take cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and this is despite the pair of additions to the secondary the team made through free agency on Thursday.

Gilmore is highly talented, but team needs and talent at other positions could cause him to fall in the same area as second-ranked cornerbacks in recent drafts: Vontae Davis (selected 25th by Miami in 2009), Kareem Jackson (20th, Houston, 2010) and Prince Amukamara (19th, Giants, 2011).

Related: NFL Mock Draft 2012: Mel Kiper Projects Bears To Take Whitney Mercilus With No. 19 Pick

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The Chicago Bears add a second wide receiver to pair with Brandon Marshall in the latest 2012 NFL mock draft from Wes Bunting at the National Football Post. Bunting's decision to connect the Bears with a wide receiver continues a trend of draft analysts linking the Bears' 19th overall pick with one of their most glaring team needs.

In Bunting's mock draft the Bears select Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech. Here is Bunting's take on the pick:

Hill is going to need to become a more consistent route runner. However, at 6-5 he showcases some natural short-area quickness to his game and knows how to go up and get the football vertically. He's one of the draft's elite size/speed combos at the receiver spot and his stock is on the rise.

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The Chicago Bears are projected to select Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus with the No. 19 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft in Mel Kiper's latest mock draft for ESPN. Many analysts expect the Bears to select an offensive player, likely a wide receiver or offensive lineman, but Kiper sees a solid pick here.

Quick off the edge, Mercilus utilizes great anticipation and some natural gifts as a pass-rusher, with closing speed and long arms once he has the quarterback in sight. He's coming off a brilliant final season for the Illini, and Rod Marinelli could do wonders with him. The Bears could use some pass-rushing insurance with Julius Peppers not getting any younger.

Chicago has a ton of talent on defense, but many of the players aren't especially young. Mercilus had a monster year for the Fighting Illini before leaving school, leading the nation with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

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If Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd happens to fall to the Chicago Bears at No. 19, it may throw a wrench in the team's plans for the 2012 NFL Draft, but otherwise most draft watchers expect new general manager Phil Emery to target the team's offensive line. Not only did the Bears already trade for wide receiver Brandon Marshall this offseason, but this year's class of offensive line prospects is very deep, with as many as eight or nine potential first rounders.

In his updated 2012 mock draft, SI.com's Don Banks sees the Bears plucking from that tree in the first round. Banks has Stanford Cardinal OT Jonathan Martin heading to Chicago, which would certainly be a solid pick for the Bears considering that Martin was seen as a potential top 10 pick during the college football season.

Here's Banks on the prognostication:

I don't think the Bears should get tricky here. J'Marcus Webb is not the answer at left tackle, and Martin has a solid first-round grade. It's a match made in heaven. Jay Cutler got his No. 1 receiver in Brandon Marshall, now he needs to get better protection. Martin and last year's first-round pick, offensive tackle Gabe Carimi, would be bookends for the future.

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With the NFL Combine far in the rearview and most college pro days wrapped up, the 2012 NFL Draft process is now at the point where teams can schedule individual workouts with chosen prospects. Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd is thought to have shot up most draft boards after stellar showings at the Combine and at Notre Dame's pro day, and today it was reported by Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times that Floyd will workout for the Tennessee Titans.

Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd has a workout with the Tennessee Titans.

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) April 4, 2012

It's not clear whether Floyd is visiting the Titans in Nashville or if they will work him out in South Bend, but either way there is interest there. The Titans have the 20th pick in this year's draft and it's extremely unlikely that Floyd will be available at that spot, but if he impresses the Tennessee brass, the team may consider trading up.

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After an impressive NFL Combine, the consensus among draft watchers seemed to be that Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd would be snatched up within the first 10 or 12 picks, maybe even before Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Justin Blackmon. But draft projecting is a fickle art and, if the latest 2012 mock draft from SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber holds true, the Bears may be able to exit the first round with one of the draft's premier playmakers.

If Floyd does indeed fall to Chicago's pick at No. 19, as Van Bibber predicts, it will be interesting to see if the Bears do indeed pull the trigger. Passing on a talent like Floyd at that spot in the draft may be close impossible but, with Chicago already having brought in Brandon Marshall this offseason, they may look to upgrade another position.

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NFL analysts David Kaplan and Matt Bowen recently discussed the Chicago Bears in depth on CSN Chicago, and among their topics of discussion, the Bears Draft strategy offered a point of notable disagreement:

Matt Bowen, who played seven season in the NFL (from 2000 through 2006) as a strong safety, thinks the Bears need to draft an impact defender such as Illinois Fighting Illini DE Whitney Mercilus:

"You gotta rush the passer. Now everyone's going to say, 'offensive line.' I talked to a scout the other day with close ties to the Bears, let's put it that way. He's says they have issues on the offensive line; they have holes in the defensive line. What does that mean? They've got to get someone to play opposite of Julius Peppers."

Kaplan, however, agrees with the popular perception that the Bears need more offensive help:

"If you're going to cast your lot with Jay Cutler and go get him [WR Brandon Marshall] ... you've got be able to protect him and keep him clean. Offensive line, offensive line, and maybe even another receiver before you get a D-lineman."

The duo also discussed the newest addition to the Bears' offense in WR Brandon Marshall, saying the oft-troubled wide out needs to "understand this is his last real true shot to be an impact, big time wide receiver." Marshall has been involved in a number of off-the-field incidents, most recently a scuffle at a nightclub where Marshall was accused of punching a 24-year-old woman in the face (though possibly acting in defense of his wife, who was hit in the head with a bottle).

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Matt Bowen of the National Football Post recently took an extra look at Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Harrison Smith, asking a fellow scout to compare notes on the 6'2" graduate student. The scout's impressions were positive, to say the least:

- Smart/instinctive (thought he would run in the 4.4s based on the tape)
- Can get off the hash/ play the middle of the field
- Hands? Would be a Top 15 pick if he finished plays
- Great anticipation
- Good range
- Will get "leggy" at times in his pedal/high-cut athlete
- Should play 10-12 years in the league
- Early to mid 2nd round pick

Smith collected a total of 90 tackles in the 2011 NCAA season and has 7 interceptions in his career -- all of them coming in his 2010.

The Chicago Bears may well be one of the teams looking to acquire Smith if he falls low enough in the second round of the draft. Chicago has had a roulette of starting safeties over the past half decade, and finally settled on the young duo of S Chris Conte and S Major Wright. But injuries have played significant roles in both players' careers, meaning the the Bears might continue to look for an upgrade or at least insurance at the position.

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The latest mock draft from analyst Brad Wells suggests Chicago Bears might have some seller's remorse on trading TE Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers. According to Wells, the Bears are likely to target a pass-catching Stanford Cardinal tight end:

Coby Fleener | Tight end | Stanford: The Bears made a big trade for Brandon Marshall this offseason in a rather transparent effort to help Jay Cutler re-live his "glory days" when he was in Denver. Another element for Cutler during that time was tight end Tony Scheffler, who the Broncos eventually traded away for a bag of peanuts and a ball of lint. Fleener provides Cutler with big play ability from the tight end position, and likely has shot up most draft boards after displaying 4.45 speed at his Pro Day.

Fleener, who hails from Lemont, Illinois, has gone in the second round of some mock drafts. Here is a look at his statistics from the 2011 NCAA season:

TE Coby Fleener 2011 Statistics

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When former Illinois Fighting Illini defensive end Whitney Mercilus declared for the 2012 NFL Draft, he hoped to land somewhere in the first round, and after an impressive NFL Combine and a strong junior season on film, it appears he is primed to come off the board in the first 32 picks. Todd McShay of ESPN recently released his latest mock draft (Insider only), and he has Mercilus headed to the Detroit Lions with the No. 23 pick. Here is what McShay had to say:

Whitney Mercilus*, DE, Illinois
The Lions put the franchise tag on DE Cliff Avril, and Kyle Vanden Bosch will be 34 this season, so now is the time to add an edge rusher to make sure their defensive line will remain a devastating force for years to come. Mercilus has quickness and a knack for big plays, but he is still developing and this would be a good situation for him.

According to SB Nation's NFL draft blog, Mocking The Draft, Mercilus is the No. 2-rated defensive end prospect in the 2012 draft class behind North Carolina DE Quinton Coples.

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The 2012 NFL Draft is almost here, and Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery will be armed with five selections in the top 150 picks, the No. 19 overall pick and the No. 50 overall selection. Todd McShay of ESPN recently released his latest mock draft (Insider only), and he projected all picks in the first two rounds. In the first round, McShay sees the Bears selecting Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin with the No. 19 overall pick to give Jay Cutler a legitimate left tackle.

In the second round, the Bears are projected to select Clemson Tigers tight end Dwayne Allen with the No. 50 pick. According to SB Nation's NFL draft blog, Mocking The Draft, Allen is the No. 1 overall tight end prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft, so it could end up being a value pick for the Bears. In case you were wondering, South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery came off the board at No. 35 to the Minnesota Vikings, and LSU WR Rueben Randle ended up with the Rams via the No. 39 pick.

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There was a general expectation that the Chicago Bears would try to address their issues at wide receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft, but that was all before the Bears acquired stud wideout Brandon Marshall in a trade with the Miami Dolphins.

With their most obvious need addressed, ESPN's Todd McShay projects the Bears to select Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin with the No. 19 overall pick in his latest mock draft.

Martin needs to add some strength, but he could pair with 2011 first-round OT Gabe Carimi to give offensive coordinator Mike Tice a pair of bookends to coach up. Tice's scheme will help keep QB Jay Cutler upright, but the Bears desperately need a left tackle.

After seeing how the offense fell apart in the latter portion of last season, the Bears have been making a concerted effort to improve the weapons that surround Cutler on offense. Chicago's new GM, Phil Emery, has been aggressive in doing so, acquiring Marshall, running back Michael Bush and back-up quarterback Jason Campbell in a series of moves thus far.

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The 2012 NFL Draft is just weeks away, and now that the NFL has awarded 32 compensatory picks to teams around the league, the draft order is officially set. Although the Bears did not receive the rights to any compensatory selections, they still hold seven picks heading into the draft. General Manager Phil Emery filled a big need at wide receiver by trading for Brandon Marshall, but the Bears may still need to add another body at the position given the uncertain health status of Johnny Knox. Other areas of need include the offensive line, defensive secondary and backup linebacker positions after the Bears added veteran depth at quarterback and running back by signing Jason Campbell and Michael Bush.

GM Phil Emery will be armed with five selections in the top 150 picks, so he will have the flexibility to either take the best player available or package picks to move up or down in the draft. If you can't get enough of the draft, here is a complete list of 2012 NFL Draft picks for all 32 NFL teams. The Chicago Bears' picks are listed below:

Round 1, Pick No. 19, No. 19 Overall

Round 2, Pick No. 18, No. 50 Overall

Round 3, Pick No. 17, No. 79 Overall

Round 4, Pick No. 16, No. 111 Overall

Round 5, Pick No. 15, No. 150 Overall

Round 6, Pick No. 14, No. 184 Overall

Round 7, Pick No. 13, No. 220 Overall

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The Chicago Bears reportedly sent a contingency, including head coach Lovie Smith, to visit the Texas Longhorns' pro day on Tuesday morning. According to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune, the Bears were heavily scouting LB Keenan Robinson.

Robinson was immaculately durable during his college career and averaged over 6 tackles per game in the 2011 NCAA season. Though Robinson possesses the necessary physicality to play any linebacker position, he apparently prefers playing on the outside -- which could suite the Bears well given the presence of MLB Brian Urlacher and OLB Lance Briggs:

"I think I should be an outside linebacker," Robinson said at the combine. "I don’t mind playing Mike. I don’t mind playing Will or playing on the line of scrimmage as an outside rush linebacker but I think I best project as a Will or Sam linebacker covering tight ends. Either one would be fine for me. It's whatever the team needs. I played all three. I can help any team."

The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 26, and ends on Saturday, the 28th.

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The Chicago Bears are projected to take Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd with the No. 19 overall pick in the latest mock draft from ESPN's Todd McShay. Floyd has generally been considered an obvious target for the Bears given their need to acquire an upgrade at wide receiver.

Chicago needs a big target who can make plays downfield and take advantage of the strong arm of QB Jay Cutler, and while Floyd isn't the most sudden athlete he shows on tape the ability to be an impact player in the vertical passing game. Running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the combine helped solidify him as a top-25 prospect.

After depending on Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and Roy Williams last year, Chicago could really use an upgrade at wideout this offseason. Adding Floyd would certainly qualify after the big year he had with the Fighting Irish. In 2011, Floyd caught 100 passes for 1147 yards and nine touchdowns for the Irish. He also scored a rushing touchdown last season.

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The Chicago Bears have glaring holes at wide receiver and offensive line, so it stands to reason that Chicago will use its first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to fix one of the two problem areas. Chicago used its first round selection on offensive line help last year with tackle Gabe Carimi, though the Wisconsin product barely played due to a knee injury.

According to longtime ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., it won't scare off the Bears from selecting another Big Ten offensive lineman in the first round this year. In his latest mock, Kiper has the Bears pegged to take Ohio State's Mike Adams.

It looks like the Bears will be really aggressive in targeting wide receivers in free agency, and the offensive line still has to be better. Mike Tice knows as well as anybody that Jay Cutler can be successful in the passing game first if he's not getting hit on every play. Adams wasn't a star in terms of testing, but he's really good in pass protection, and the Bears could use more of that trait along the line. He moves his feet and doesn't get beat inside, but he has the length and technique to protect the edge.

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According to The Chicago Tribune, head coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears met with draft prospect WR Stephen Hill on Tuesday, taking the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets standout to lunch.

Smith likes to meet with the various potential top draft picks, Brad Biggs reports, and after watching the 6'4" receiver's pro day in Atlanta, Smith did just that. The Chicago Bears are widely expected to target a wide receiver in the upcoming draft, among other positions, partly because the team had the 7th least passing yards (3011 YDS) and 8th least passing touchdowns (18) in the 2011 NFL season.

Meanwhile, the tall and quick Hill accrued 820 receiving yards in 2011 -- enough to lead the Bears receivers despite playing only a 13-game season -- and a 29.3 yards per catch average, leading both the ACC and the NCAA.

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The National Football Post recently took a look at the Chicago Bears and their team needs heading into the 2012 NFL Draft. According to their analysis, the Bears will make Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd a top priority:

Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame: Didn't seem quite as dynamic as a receiver when he bulked up in 2010. However, has looked sudden, explosive and showcased the ability to separate quickly and create after the catch as a senior. Is one of the draft's top receiving prospects.

They also suggest the Bears may choose to stay local in finding a replacement for DE Israel Idonijie and draft Illinois Fighting Illini alum, DE Whitney Mercilus:

Whitney Mercilus DE, Illinois: Physically he looks the part and has the skill to simply man handle college lineman at times. However, he's a raw kid who is stiff in the hips and doesn't have a great feel for the game when asked to find the football. He's got some upside, but his tightness and overall lack of natural feel for the game are two very big concerns that will keep him from being the type of pass rusher his freaky skill set says he could.

Interestingly, the National Football Post lists the offensive tackle and cornerback positions as "mid tier" priorities. In 2011, the Bears quarterbacks were sacked on 9.4% of their pass plays, good for second-worst in the NFL -- leading some to think the Bears will prioritize their o-line.

The 2012 NFL Draft takes place on Thursday, April 26, with the Chicago Bears picking at No. 19. Stay tuned to the SB Nation Chicago 2012 NFL Draft storystream for more updates and analysis concerning the Bears' draft picks.

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Chicago Bears defensive tackle Anthony Adams told Jeff Dickerson and Michael C. Wright of ESPN Chicago that the team will release him. The move is Chicago's first personnel transaction with new GM Phil Emery leading the front office.

Adams, 31, joined the Bears in 2007 after spending the first four years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. In 2010, he started all 16 games for the Bears as they made their way to the NFC Championship Game, tallying 33 tackles and two sacks during the regular season.

In 2011, Adams appeared in 11 games but made only four starts. He made 13 tackles, but failed to record a single sack or forced fumble. He was set to enter the final year of a two-year contract that would give him $1.9 million in base salary for 2012 with a salary cap hit of $2.65 million.

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Lovie Smith, head coach of the Chicago Bears, spoke with Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday. According to Smith, the previous reports that the Bears were looking for a passing coordinator so offensive coordinator Mike Tice could focus on the run game were in fact false:

"I thought about a lot of different things, but in the end, I didn’t feel like we needed [a passing coordinator]," Smith said. "We have a coordinator in Mike Tice. We don’t have a defensive run-game coordinator or anything like that. I was trying to get the perfect group that I could on the offensive side of the ball."

Smith said the media "jumped the gun" on the passing coordinator speculation, reporting in January that the team had begun to look for two offensive coordinators. Many had speculated Jeremy Bates, hired recently as the quarterbacks coach, would eventually be named the team's passing coordinator.

The head coach also addressed the other coaches on staff, saying he felt the team had "great leadership" and that he was excited to get on offseason in 2012 after the 2011 NFL lockout truncated last year's offseason.

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The Chicago Bears and running back Matt Forte are apparently re-opening contract negotiations in the shadow of the 2012 NFL Combine. The deadline for teams to apply the franchise tag is March 5, and Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported on Friday that Forte's representatives will meet with the Bears this weekend to discuss a long-term contract.

Forte doesn't exactly have great leverage, because the Bears have the right to apply the franchise tag for two consecutive seasons even if the two sides can't agree on a long-term deal. Despite his pending unrestricted free agency, Forte is effectively under team control regardless. According to Mac's Football Blog, he would receive somewhere between $7.7 and $8 million in base salary if the Bears do indeed franchise him.

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Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith spoke with the media on Thursday, and admitted the team was looking to upgrade their backup quarterback situation:

"First off, each year you learn something," Smith said. "We thought we had a better plan at the quarterback position. I knew how valuable Jay was to us and that won’t change, but we do need to get ourselves in a better position at that backup quarterback position."

The Bears' franchise quarterback, Jay Cutler, went down with a broken thumb in Week 11. In Cutler's absence, the team went on a five-game losing streak, finishing the season at 8-8 after leading the division with a 7-3 record before the Cutler injury.

In Jay's absence, the team employed the duo of QB Caleb Hanie, whose 41.8 quarterback rating led to a 0-4 record, and QB Josh McCown, who played well, but sported only a 68.3 QB rating and a 1-1 record. Smith suggested the team will likely look to strengthen their quarterback position via free agency this offseason:

"...There are a lot of options out there. I think this is an attractive place for a quarterback and we’re going to look at people. I’m talking Caleb (Hanie), Josh (McCown) and of course free-agent quarterbacks out there. I just feel like we’ll be able to strengthen that position more than we were this past year."

The Bears also had rookie QB Nathan Enderle on the roster in 2011, but Smith said his rookie status prevented him from "being a factor last year."

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It still remains to be seen how new Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery will decide to attack free agency, but he will have money to spend, if he so pleases. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears could have as much as $28 million in cap space free this offseason. Though the exact number is, according to Biggs, "constantly in flux," Chicago is expected to have at least $25 million in cap room to play with.

According to Vince Verhei of Football Outsiders and ESPN, the Chicago Bears have most on the most serious (Insider account required) needs for a franchise tag in their star running back Matt Forte. Forte and the Bears have long been at an impasse about creating a long-term extension, and most NFL analysts have begun to suspect the Bears would employ the franchise tag to ensure the Tulane product stays in Chicago.

Vince Verhei suggests the Bears have no choice. According to Verhei, Forte played behind one of the league's worst offensive lines, but still managed to be productive despite that. Moreover, the offense runs through Forte:

And on a per-game basis, Forte was responsible for a bigger chunk of the Bears' offense (37.0 percent) than [Ray Rice] was for the Ravens' offense (36.8 percent).

With the combination of Forte's productivity and the otherwise strength of the Bears team -- when QB Jay Cutler is healthy -- means the Bears have no choice but to extend Forte's stay at any expense if they hope to win a hotly contested NFC North Division.

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The Chicago Bears finally made some big changes after a disappointing end to the 2011 season by firing general manager Jerry Angelo and offensive coordinator Mike Martz, and now team Chairman George McCaskey wants new GM Phil Emery to know that he has the freedom to make improvements wherever and however he sees fit. Here is what McCaksey had to say to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune after a concussion roundtable for high school coaches and athletes at Halas Hall:

"The bottom line, and Phil knows this, if there is someone we want -- and it makes sense -- money is not going to be an issue."

quote via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

The Bears have 13 unrestricted free agents, including star running back Matt Forte, and the deadline for applying the franchise tag is March 5, but the team will still need to add extra talent via free agency as well. With the salary cap floor set to increase in 2013 and roughly $20 million in cap space to work with right now, it will be interesting to see how the team approaches the offseason to find help for Jay Cutler on the offensive line and at wide receiver. The good news is that it appears the Bears will be willing to spend if the right opportunity comes along.

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The Chicago Bears and star running back Matt Forte have not yet been able to agree upon a long-term extension yet, but the team still has $20 million in cap space and a new general manager at the negotiating table. Forte has been extremely productive since joining the Bears, but investing heavily in a 26-year-old running back that has taken many hits and put plenty miles on his legs may not be the wisest decision for the organization.

The Bears have not been shy about their willingness to use the franchise tag if Forte refuses another extension offer, and the 15 day window for applying the franchise tag tender offer starts on Feb. 20 and runs up to 3 p.m. on March 15. If they to extend the franchise tender to Forte -- who would then join Lance Briggs as the only other player in franchise history to receive the tag -- there would then be the opportunity to work out a deal up until July 15, as pointed out by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

As teams around the league have shied away from giving big money to running backs, the franchise salary figure at the position will decrease to approximately $7.7 million in 2012. If the parties still cannot agree to an extension, the Bears could always re-apply the franchise tag in 2013 at somewhere around $9.24 million. In essence, the Bears hold the cards in this situation. They control Forte's right for the next two years and didn't keep on the team without committing long-term money at a position where injuries often take their toll quickly. To get a multi-year deal done, Forte would likely have to take a discount in salary if he wants the Bears to assume any additional injury risk.

The next three weeks should reveal just how far apart the two sides are on the issue.

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