With the college all-star games and the NFL Combine on the horizon, and free agency set for March, we’re still very early in the offseason, but the hunger for draft content never subsides. For me, these
early mock drafts are a way to learn about some possible prospects the Chicago Bears could target, and with them picking so far down the first round this year, we’re sure to get a wide variety of players.
In Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock this offseason at NFL.com, he has the Bears filling an obvious need on defense.
Pick 25) Chicago Bears – Dillon Thieneman, Oregon, S, Junior
The Bears figure to be in the safety market with the contracts expiring for Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Thieneman can play both safety spots and could cover in the slot if needed.
Thieneman is a three-year starter, last year with the Ducks and two years before that with Purdue, and during his career, he racked up 306 tackles (39 games), 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 8 interceptions, 14 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles.
Is 25 too rich for a safety, considering the Bears’ needs up front?
I think we’ll know more if the Bears re-sign any of the three aforementioned defensive backs, but even if Byard is retained, he’ll be 33 this August, and they’ll need a succession plan eventually. If a safety is ranked highly on their board, I can see them going that way in the first round.
All the scouting reports I read on Thieneman use the word versatility, so I asked our guy Jacob Infante for his take on the 6’0”, 205-pounder from Oregon.
“Some people will think this is a reach, but I think Thieneman in late Round 1 is pretty good value,” WCG’s Lead Draft Analyst tells me. “His ball skills, versatility to cover in the slot or the box, his instincts in coverage, and his physicality as a downhill tackler are all encouraging. There was really good defensive line value still on the board in Jeremiah’s mock, but in a vacuum, Thieneman is a very good addition, even if safety isn’t as big of a need right now.”
What are your thoughts on Jeremiah’s mock, and with the Bears taking a safety in the first round?
