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2013 NFL Mock Draft: Offensive line still the need and the pick for Bears

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The Chicago Bears have multiple needs along their offensive line, and the latest SB Nation mock draft has them addressing one of them in the first round.

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The Chicago Bears have a few significant needs that the new coaching staff under Marc Trestman needs to address, but none seem bigger than the needs along the offensive line. Jay Cutler was a quarterback who was constantly harassed last season, and it's actually quite difficult to really evaluate where he's at in his career when he's being chased down constantly.


Fortunately, this draft is deep on offensive line prospects. There are multiple tackles and guards who are worthy of going in the first round of the draft and with the Bears having finished with a 10-6 record, while missing the playoffs, they're picking at No. 20. A good offensive lineman can likely be had there.

Matthew Fairburn of SB Nation released his latest mock draft on Monday and he has the Bears getting a player who is definitely worthy of the pick: North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper:

Jonathan Cooper grades out closer to Chance Warmack than most people think. He's the more athletic of the two guards and is well-rounded in most aspects of his game. The Bears need to find talent, regardless of position on the offensive line.


Cooper was recently labeled as worthy of the No. 1 overall pick by NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock. He's not too far off from Chance Warmack, who is considered the top guard in this draft. Unfortunately for Cooper, not a lot of teams are needy for a guard nearer the top end of the draft.

So that could end up working out very well in Chicago's favor. If Cooper were to be available at No. 20, he would fill one of Chicago's biggest needs and likely be considered the best player available as well.

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