Note: As far as I can tell, three people accurately predicted Kyle Fuller as the Bears first round draft pick: Austin Augsburger, Brian, Scott Vandermoon. Each of those three individuals should drop me an email today to confirm ownership of that account (jeff@dabearsblog.com) and then be sure to get their position selections in for tonight. You can’t win this contest if you don’t make it to tomorrow!

CONTEST PICKS SHOULD BE MADE ON THIS POST. THE NEXT UPDATE TO THE SITE WILL BE AFTER THE BEARS SECOND ROUND SELECTION.

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I received many emails and Tweets last night asking me the same question: why would Phil Emery pass on the position of desperation (safety) and select a cornerback? Why would the Bears not grab the ballyhooed Clinton-Dix or Pryor when they already have their two starting corners for 2014 on the roster?

Here are my answers to that and some other things:

1. You don’t reach for a position of desperate need due to the desperation. The Bears needed a corner and the selection of Kyle Fuller may very well keep them from being desperate at the position a year from now should Charles Tillman decide to hang em up.
2. Who is the Bears third cover guy? Never mind the word corner. Use the phrase cover guy. Frey? Hayden? Any of the safeties on the roster? Two cover guys is not enough to handle the healthy Packers, Saints, Eagles…etc. If Fuller gives the Bears a solid third-option in coverage they’ll have had a brilliant first round.
3. All of this talk about converting Fuller to safety should be shelved. Let the kid learn to play corner from the best in the history of the franchise. Let him contribute in all the coverage packages. Don’t draft a guy at position X to play position Y. He’s a professional football player, a first round selection, because of his lifelong dedication to being great at position X. Keep him there.
4. Have to believe Emery’s mentioning of the Giants pick guaranteeing him two good players means he expected Aaron Donald off the board at twelve. I firmly believe the Bears were thinking Donald or Fuller as the round progressed and may have been surprised they didn’t get to make the decision when the Rams swooped on Donald.

On to rounds two and three tonight!