All the homework is done and the Bears are just left waiting to see who is there for them to pick. By now, they have a list of players they think might be available and have them ranked on their board, but nobody has access to that list outside of John Fox and Ryan Pace. So, here’s my best guess.

First, a few things I considered:

• The best player available thing is just GM talk. They look at positions of need and this list will reflect that.

• I won’t pretend to be a scout, so my “scouting reports” are based heavily on things actual scouts (current and former) have said. I do a ton of research on the draft prospects and put more weight on what those who do the job for a living say than the guy with 1,563 Twitter followers.

Read More …

Prospect Profile: Shaq Lawson, Edge, Clemson

Pros: Very athletic and never takes a play off. Athleticism was a question for some before the combine but Lawson had arguably the best performance at his position. Was very productive with 12.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss last season. Had 21 tackles for loss and seven sacks his first two seasons as a part-time player at Clemson.

Cons: Suffered a knee injury late last year and was flagged at the combine for a shoulder issue. Hard to say how that will turn out. His arms are on the short side, measuring 32.75 inches.

Summary: I love Lawson as a prospect, but I don’t think he’s going to have a ton of sack production in the NFL. I can see him being a Tamba Hali clone. He’ll have around eight sacks per season and be very productive against the run. Probably best suited to be a teams second-best pass-rusher. Is that worth the 11th pick?

Jeff’s Thought: 8 sacks per season? If he’s guaranteeing that you sprint to submit the card at 11.

Prospect Profiles: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

Pros: Great size, athleticism and production at Memphis. Did not turn the ball over, something that many believe will translate to the NFL. Has the potential to be a real franchise quarterback.

Read More …