Now that the NFL Draft is only one month away, I felt it was time to deliver my first Bears only mock draft. I am not about to guess what other teams might do this April because put simply, I do not care — and neither should you. So here we go:

Round 1, # 14 (14 overall) – Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt 

6-6 1/2, 317 LBS., 40 TIME: 5.15E

Losing veteran linemen Ruben Brown (LG) and Fred Miller (RT) only further decimates a line that wasn’t too impressive last season to begin with. The good news is that this year’s draft is loaded with talent at tackle. A lot of talk has been made to suggest current left tackle John Tait would benefit from a move to the right side. In that case, the Bears would be wise to select the player who could start at left tackle right away. Outside of Boise State’s Ryan Clady, who projects to be gone by pick 14, the best left tackle on the board is Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams. Williams is athletic, can handle edge speed, shows solid anchor strength and plays with great balance. In the last two seasons he has only allowed two sacks.

Round 2, # 13 (44) – Trevor Laws, DT Notre Dame

6-0 1/2, 297 LBS., 40 TIME: 5.2E

Defensive tackle Matt Toeaina proved to be a pleasant surprise for the Bears last season but even if he builds on his success, the team would still lack depth at defensive tackle. Tommie Harris is a perennial pro-bowler for years to come and it is time to get him a partner in crime. Notre Dame’s Trevor Laws is an instinctive, smart and quick competitor. He’s best suited for slant, stunting and playing in gaps from the three-technique position which makes him an ideal fit for the Bears’ 4-3 gap-penetrating defense.

Round 3, # 7 (70) – Tyrell Johnson, S Arkansas State

5-11 1/2, 200 LBS, 40 TIME: 4.52

Safety Adam Archuletta was a bust and is not likely to survive July cuts. Oft-injured Mike Brown (see previous post) is no sure thing. Arkansas State’s Tyrell Johnson is a small school talent that might get overlooked early for that very reason. Yet, the kid can play. He possesses good size and a solid build. He is a powerful tackler with functional speed and played his best games last season against elite competition (Texas, Tennesee).

Round 3, # 27 (90) – Jerome Simpson, WR Coastal Carolina

6-1 1/2, 193 LBS., 40 TIME: 4.59

Another small school prospect, Coastal Carolina’s Jerome Simpson has outstanding ball skills, good body control and makes catches that few NFL receivers could make. He is not necessarily a burner but with Mark Bradley and Devin Hester on the team, he does not need to be. Simpson would make a terrific compliment to either Bradley or Hester and could very well develop into the Bears’ long-missing number one receiver.

Round 4, # 11 (106) – Tashard Choice, RB Georgia Tech

5-8 5/8, 210 LBS., 40 TIME: 4.55E

Georgia Tech’s Tashard Choice reminds me so much of former Bears running back Thomas Jones, it is scary. While that is almost enough for me to warrant the pick, Choice’s mental makeup, incredible passion and good vision also figure in to me thinking he is everything Cedric Benson is not.

Round 5, #9 (136) – Josh Johnson, QB San Diego

6-2 5/8, 200 LBS., 40 TIME: 4.56E

Josh Johnson might not fall this far but the University of San Diego quarterback could prove to be a steal if he does. He hasn’t yet faced any top-notch competition but his 43-1 — that’s right, forty three to one –touchdown-interception ratio is strikingly intriguing. He will not be ready to play this season but should the Grossman/Orton experiment fail, Johnson could develop into a viable starter as early as next season.

Round 6, # 9 (168) – Justin Harper, WR Virginia Tech

6-3 3/8, 205 LBS., 40 TIME: 4.54

Adding another wide receiver wouldn’t hurt the Bears, who are, big surprise, relatively weak at this position. Virgina Tech’s Justin Harper may have gotten lost in the shuffle of fellow Hokie receivers, Eddie Royal and Josh Morgan, in this year’s draft but he has some serious upside. He is a good athlete, runs fine routes and can make difficult catches.

Round 7, # 15 (215) – Shawn Murphy, G Utah State

6-4 1/8, 319 LBS., 40 TIME: 5.19

The crop of guards coming into the draft this season is weak, at best. Yet, considering the Bears have not done anything to address the position in free agency, they could pick Utah State’s Shawn Murphy to compete with last year’s fourth round draft pick Josh Beekman for the vacanted left guard spot. Murphy gets into blocks quickly and besides being durable, is very smart and hardworking. Upping Chris Williams’ impressive feat, Murphy did not allow a single sack as a senior.

Scouting reports courtesy of Pro Football Weekly