Bears address offensive, defensive needs in Draft Wire’s 7-round mock draft

In Draft Wire’s new 7-round mock draft, the Bears address some starting vacancies and depth roles on offense and defense.

With less than two weeks until the 2020 NFL Draft, the wait is almost over to meet the Chicago Bears’ 2020 draft class. The Bears are once again without a first-round pick, the final in the Khalil Mack trade, but they do own a pair of second-round picks.

But after trading a fourth-round compensatory pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bears only have two picks in the first four rounds. So those two second rounders are even more valuable for general manager Ryan Pace.

In Draft Wire’s new mock draft, Luke Easterling projected the Bears’ targets on offense and defense with their picks in the second, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

RD. 2 – No. 43. Cole Kmet | TE | Notre Dame

Despite the Bears bringing in two veteran tight ends this offseason in Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris, tight end remains a concern for Chicago. While you could argue the Bears shouldn’t use a second rounder on a weak tight end class, whether Pace decides to use a second-round pick on a tight end will tell you everything you need to know. If that’s the the case, he’ll likely have his pick of tight ends, including arguably the best prospect in the tight end class in Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet.

RD. 2 – No. 50. Noah Igbenoghene | CB | Auburn

You figure Pace will use one of his second-round picks on a defensive back, given there are two starting positions up for grabs — one each at cornerback and safety. While Kevin Toliver, Tre Roberson and Artie Burns will be competing for the spot opposite cornerback Kyle Fuller, Pace could also bring in a young prospect like Noah Igbenoghene to compete for the job.

RD 5 – No. 163. Mykal Walker | LB | Fresno State

While the Bears were able to retain their starting inside linebacker duo with the re-signing of Danny Trevathan to return alongside Roquan Smith, Chicago did lose some depth. Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis were both key reserves that stepped in as Trevathan and Smith dealt with injuries, but both have signed elsewhere.

Now, the Bears need depth at inside linebacker, and Mykal Walker would be a great prospect to develop behind two of the game’s best. Given Walker’s versatility at inside linebacker, outside linebacker and defensive end in 2019, the Bears could also choose to plug him in where needed.

Read on for rounds 6 and 7

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Browns check out prospects at Kansas State pro day

The Cleveland Browns were among the NFL teams in attendance for the Kansas State Wildcat pro day

The pro day circuit for college programs spotlighting their prospective NFL talents is kicking off in earnest over the next few days. One of the first big programs to host a pro day is Kansas State.

The Cleveland Browns are among more than a dozen NFL teams confirmed in attendance in Manhattan. Kansas State doesn’t have any high-level prospects in 2020; no Wildcat players were invited to the recent scouting combine. However, the Wildcat program consistently churns out NFL talent and has a few players that could interest the Browns late on Day 3 or as priority free agents following the draft.

Kansas State prospects to know:

  • Offensive tackle Scott Frantz
  • RB James Gilbert
  • Safety Denzel Goolsby
  • EDGE Reggie Walker

Lions check out Kansas State prospect pro day

Lions check out Kansas State prospect pro day and which players Detroit might consider in the 2020 NFL Draft

The pro day circuit for college programs spotlighting their prospective NFL talents is kicking off in earnest over the next few days. One of the first big programs to host a pro day is Kansas State.

The Detroit Lions are confirmed in attendance in Manhattan. Kansas State doesn’t have any high-level prospects in 2020; no Wildcat players were invited to the recent scouting combine. However, the Wildcat program consistently churns out NFL talent and has a few later-round players and likely undrafted free agents who could interest Detroit.

Kansas State prospects to know:

2020 NFL mock draft: 4-rounds of Bills picks post-title game

Buffalo Bills 2020 NFL mock draft, four rounds, following the national title game.

The National Championship Game is in the history books and the LSU Tigers are the top team and grouping of Tigers after defeating the Clemson Tigers on Monday.

Of course, plenty of players out on the field will find new homes next season in the NFL. Could any of them be on the Buffalo Bills’ radar as April’s draft slowly comes into focus?

Draft Wire released a four-round mock draft following the divisional round of the playoffs last weekend, and here’s how that plays out for the Bills in another very early 2020 NFL mock draft:

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

In Buffalo’s first pick, wide receiver could certainly be in play and that’s the direction the Bills go in for this mock draft. The pick is Laviska Shenault from Colorado, one of the top-wideout prospect in the upcoming draft.

Here’s how Draft Wire breaks down the pick:

22. Buffalo Bills
Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado
The Eagles passing on a receiver here is a big win for the Bills, who are also in desperate need of a true No. 1 target for Josh Allen. Shenault is a physical player with a well-built frame who puts it to good use, both at the catch point and after the catch. He’s the complete player this offense needs to take their game to the next level in 2020 and beyond.

As mentioned, the Bills could use some help for Allen. Are Cole Beasley and John Brown reliable options for 2020? Yes. But could the Bills use more depth and a youthful option at receiver too? Also yes. At 6-foot-2 and a strong 220-pound frame, Shenault looks very much like the No. 1 wideout the Bills have lacked in recent years.

We all love getting excited for the Duke Williams and Brandon Reilly’s of the world, but Buffalo, let’s get a real prospect in here.

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