Let's play "who is number 14?"

[BullHeaded]

At today's press conference, Emery said they were targeting 6 players in the first round. I'm sure there have been plenty of pre-draft visits that haven't been publicized, but according to KFFL's wire, there have been 5 plausible first rounders that we've talked to.

Anthony Barr
Calvin Pryor
Ha Ha Clinton Dix
Kyle Fuller
Deone Bucannon (still my darkhorse as the guy)

That leaves a mystery prospect. As far as Donald goes, I understand he was dismissive of Donald possibly falling to 14. He also said they evaluated taller CBs as potential safety conversion projects. That may be the thought balloon with Fuller.

One more caveat... at this point in the draft calendar anything any NFL GM says is just noise and misdirection. If we take it at face value, I think no. 6 would be either Gilbert or Dennard... they fit the pattern of tall DBs.

[City of Trees]

My 4 round prediction:

1st- DT Aaron Donald, Pitt
2nd- S Bucannon, Washington
3rd- RB C. Sims, WV
4th- DT Kelsy Quarles

[Friend_Of_Haley]

Trying to Figure out Emery's 6, I have it down to 8 guesses. Listening to his comments there's obviously a range, as they seem to think best case scenario 2-3 will be there (although obviously this is assuming we take him at his word- a risky proposition, even for a relative straight shooter like Emery). So I think at least a few of those 6 will likely be gone and must be graded as borderline top 10 prospects. My 8 guesses at Emery's 6 (no particular order)

Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix Alabama S 6'1" 208
- Position of high need. Fairly good overall measurables, but not elite athelticism. Experience in Big time conference and program a plus. Pre-draft visit is big indicator he could be on list.

Anthony Barr UCLA 6'5" OLB/DE 255
- A very good athlete and I think any pass rusher would have to be considered. No pre-draft visit, but a pro day visit. A guy who was an early top 10 guy, but now is projected to fall by some places, so hard to figure out.

Louis Nix Notre Dame 6'2" 331
Another pre-draft visit. For his size, a pretty good athlete. While strictly a NT, should be able to play across schemes. Emery has talked about size, so he fits in that regard.

Kyle Fuller Virginia Tech CB/S 6'0" 190
Deone Bucannon Washington St S 6'1" 211
Calvin Pryor Louisville S 5'11" 207
- Top safety prospects with pre-draft visits. So all worth mentioning. Fuller worth mentioning because he's a CB who may switch to S. Pryor worth mentioning as he is often up there with Dix as the consensus top ranked S. Bucannon worth mentioning just because he's by far the top athletic performer, across many fields. Hard to imagine the Bears would work out all 4 of these safeties and not have some separate from the pack. Hard to say which ones would have though.

Ra'Shede Hageman DE/DT Minnesota 6'6" 310
- One of the more versatile picks in the range, with great size and athleticism. So checks a lot of marks, yet no sign of pre-draft, pro day or other visits. Still we didn't know about Long last year until after the draft, so Hageman's worth mentioning.

And for my surprise pick, although this player has picked up steam, so I don't think he will be there:

Taylor Lewan Michigan OT 6'7" 309
If I had to pick an offensive position Emery would consider, it would be OT. For a long time he was in the 10-20 range, and now there is talk he could go top 5. He's probably at least top 10, but still it would make sense that at least a few of "Emery's 6" are top 10 guys. No indication the Bears are interested, but he gets mention over others for his measurables and for being a good fit for Kromer's scheme.

Even looking at this list, its hard to look and say that we'd be ecstatic for 3 guys to make it (even taking away the worst two). Three guys who should be on the higher end of the range, but I couldn't justify based on rumors and history were Mosley, Gilbert, and Dennard.

Taking those three extra guys as wild cards and actually forcing it down to 6 I'm saying Lewan, Mosley, Clinton-Dix, Pryor, Bucannon, Barr.

The following guys I "evaluated" while doing this and while I didn't think they were Round one considerations, I think could be round 2 targets:
Kony Ealy DE Missouri 6'4" 273
Kelcy Quarles DT South Carolina 6'4" 297
Dominique Easley Florida DT 6'2" 288
Will Sutton Arizona State DT 6'0" 303
Jimme Ward S 5'11" 193
Joel Bitonio Nevada OT 6'4" 302
Keith McGill Utah CB 6'3" 211
Kyle Van Noy OLB BYU 6'3" 243
The most interesting guy on this second list was one I hadn't really read much about until researching this. Joel Bitonio gets a mention for being an absolute top athletic performer. He actually sounds like Kyle Long, but with actual experience- though not at a top program. He seems to be grading as a 2-3 round prospect, but reads like a dark horse round 1 guy to me.

[patryk7754]

My round by round big board. (slightly influenced by what I think the ears will do)

Round 1
Dennard
Donald
Clinton-Dix
Mosley
Gilbert
Pryor

Round 2
Bailey
Bucannon
Tuitt
Nix
Jernigan
McGill
Hyde

Round 3
Easley
Borland
Desir
Demarcus Lawrence
Skov
Christian Jones
Jaylen Watkins

Round 4
Bruce Ellington
Tevin Reese
Quarles
Jensen
Sutton
Exum
Spencer Long
Grimble

Round 5
Aaron Murray
Logan Thomas
David Fales
James White
T.J. Jones
Breslin
Sam
Beau Allen

Round 6
Damien Williams
James Sims
A.J. Tarpley
Denicos Allen
Deion Belue
Corey Nelson
Keith Price
Chaz Sutton
Aaron Lynch
Silas Redd
James Wilder, Jr
Pachall
Prosch


Draft
RD 1: Dennard
RD 2: Bailey
RD 3: Easley
RD 4: Ellington
RD 5: Fales
RD 6: Williams
RD 6: Allen

[emperorjones]

My guess is Kyle Fuller. The only pick that makes any sense when you really think about it.