I know, I know: We’ve talked up Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey for the better part of ‘09, but we’re going Mizzou wide receiver Jeremy Maclin at No. 18 in MVN’s NFL Outsider Mock Draft.
See the rest of the mock right here.
As you know, yours truly is representing Jerry Angelo — wallet closely guarded and all — in a NFL mock draft among blogs. Well, picks 14-17 occurred rather quickly yesterday, putting us on the clock late, late last night. Not wanting to exceed the 24-hour time limit for picks, we hurriedly ran through the list of available defensive ends and safeties, but opted to play it safe — or not — and selected Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Any ideas for No. 81?
So Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, in their latest mocks today, are predicting the Bears will pick Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey at No. 18. That sounds a lot like the Darrius Heyward-Bey we predicted for the Bears — more than a month ago.
Heyward-Bey’s stock has been blazing up the charts as fast as his 40-yard dash lately. His combine performance solidified his place as — at least — a top-four wide receiver, with some pushing him ahead of Florida’s Percy Harvin, and talking about him in the same breath as Mizzou’s Jeremy Maclin.
Our draft promises to be a whole lot more successful than the Titans’ in 2005.
When Don Delco, editor of Browns blog, No Logo Needed, came to me and asked if I’d participate in a 32-blog NFL mock draft, I said “sure!”
Well, first I asked for compensation in the form of six cases of Miller Light, but then Don told me to go fuck myself.
The idea is truly brilliant. Take 32 blogs representing each of the 31 NFL teams, plus the Texans and allow each to decide whom their beloved franchise should draft through two rounds.
I thought I’d go all interactive and ask our readers for help. We’re at No. 18 and No. 81, and with each blog getting a max of 24 hours to pick, the Bears might be up in three weeks and then again next May.
Send your suggestions in the comment box below — you have to sign up now — or on the official 32-Blog Mock Draft page (link to your right).
Just short of the full seven-round mock we promised. Hey, what do you expect from a blog with a conscience so small?
Round 1, Pick 18
DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY, WR MARYLAND
If Jerry Angelo refuses to pull out the checkbook during the offseason and get one of the marquee wideouts available, Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey will be the man.
Round 2, Pick 17
PATRICK CHUNG, S OREGON
Chung doesn’t have quite the speed the Bears secondary needs, but he can cover the entire field nonetheless. He has free safety size but packs strong safety punch, and could be the heir apparent to Mike Brown. (more…)
Granted, it’s early February, so the combine later in the month, coupled with free agency, will change some things. But, after careful consideration — if you consider surfing the Web for a few hours and watching countless Youtube videos careful — Blog Down, Chicago Bears is prepared to throw it’s support to Maryland wide receiver Darius Heyward-Bey (video here) for the 18th overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Heyward-Bey is considered to be the fourth best receiver in the draft, behind Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree, Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin, and Florida’s Percy Harvin. And while he’s not as strong as we think the complimentary receiver next to Devin Hester needs to be, he possesses good size (6′3-206), toughness, and the ability to separate from DB’s and safeties.
True, the Bears are designed to win via a strong running game and great defense, but nonetheless, at least one — it is one, right? — receiver has to take the field for a formation to be legal. As of today, the Bears don’t have that one receiver they can go to again and again. Hester is the closest thing Chicago has to a true No.1 and he’s been playing wideout for all of two years.
Other names we struggled mightily with: WR Hakeem Nicks, DE Michael Johnson, DE Larry English.
In keeping true to the history of mock drafts, my final version looks a lot different than the first or second one. That is partly because with just one week left until the NFL Draft, the foggy picture of who’s who, who fits what scheme, who has sleeper potential and all that other stuff is becoming clearer by the day. The Bears need offense, offense and more offense in this year’s draft. They also need to address issues at safety and add depth at defensive tackle. Make sure that you comment and let me know what you think. What you do anything differently? Without further ado:
Round 1, # 14
CHRIS WILLIAMS, OT Vanderbilt – 6′6 1/2, 317 lbs.
The knocks on Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams are that he is too soft and just a mediocre run blocker. While it is true that he is not as aggressive as another potential Bears first pick, Pittsburgh’s Jeff Otah, he was still very effective as a three-year starter in the extremely tough SEC. Williams will need to get a little bigger in the upper-body to improve as a run blocker but his pass protection skills are superb. He can take over at left tackle –maybe right away – and that would allow John Tait to move to the right side were he could add years to his career. (more…)
In the second edition of my all-Bears mock draft, a couple of changes have been made from the first version. Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice and San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson have made emphatic moves into the third round. Both players’ stocks are rising so the Bears may need to act quicker now in order to nab them. Also, Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett takes the place of Coastal Carolina wideout Jerome Simpson as being the Bears’ first wide receiver selected — the Bears will take him in the second round. Additionally, much more emphasis is placed on offense in this draft as 8 of the 11 picks are offensive players. Hope you enjoy and as always, feedback is appreciated.
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. (more…)
