Mel Kiper Jr. has been doing the NFL draft thing for ESPN dating back to the mid-1980s. His coverage of the event has garnered plenty of criticism from NFL executives and scouts. Still his opinion is well-respected. The same goes for Daniel Jeremiah, the top expert for NFL Network. He’s a former scout himself who puts in a lot of film work. Both of these men made their official first mock drafts for the 2017 off-season.
Each made their pick for the Bears. Turns out it was the same player: Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen.
Kiper:
“Allen, who had 22.5 sacks over the past two seasons, could play defensive end or defensive tackle in the NFL. Positional flexibility is a big selling point, and he’d likely play end in the Bears’ 3-4 in this scenario. He was one of the best players in college football in 2016.”
Jeremiah:
“The Addition of Allen would give the Bears one of the best young defensive lines in the NFL. He can play multiple spots and is one of the most technically sound defensive linemen I’ve ever evaluated.”
Ryan Pace said after the 2016 ended that he knows his task for the 2017 draft is vital. He’ll hold the highest pick a Bears GM has held since 1972. It’s absolutely vital, in his words, to get an “impact guy.” Somebody who help the team improve right away. That is what top five picks are supposed to be. The pull to draft a quarterback will be strong, but it’s hard to argue against Allen from a logical standpoint.
He comes from the best program in college football. His production both as a pass rusher and run defender is outstanding. He’s got size, strength, above-average athleticism and is advanced in his technique as stated above. This is a young man who is perhaps more prepared for the NFL than any other prospect in the class.
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The idea of putting him on a defensive line that will also feature Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks? It’s really hard not to get excited. Just imagine how much easier life would get for Leonard Floyd and Pernell McPhee on the outside. Chicago had 37 sacks in 2016. That would almost certainly undergo a significant spike with Allen’s arrival. To say nothing of the improvement against the run nobody will notice too.
If the Bears were looking for a “safe” pick, one with a high probability of NFL success, then this would be the one to make.
