The potential for a successful Bears 2015 season is dwindling after the 26-0 defeat to Seattle, making them 0-3. With this in mind, it seems perfect to look ahead to what hopefully are brighter days for this franchise, and the way I did it was looking at the 2016 NFL draft. I scouted some prospects, and here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!
Jared Goff, QB, California
With the Bears needing a quarterback desperately, Goff, the clear number one quarterback in this year's draft class, seems to be perfect for Chicago. He has terrific mechanics and carries his team almost by himself. Goff shows tremendous poise and maturity, with fantastic arm strength and incredible athleticism for a 6’4, 215 pound man. Granted, he isn’t Cam Newton, but he can scramble and pick up extra yards. Goff doesn’t force things and rarely turns the ball over. Goff isn’t a sure thing, because of the air raid- spread system he plays in at Cal, but he is as good as they get in this draft, and can give the Bears the franchise quarterback they have so desperately needed for so many years now. He will likely be drafted early in the first round.
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi-
Nkemdiche was the number one recruit coming out of high school and drew comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney. Nkemdiche can play inside and out, and is near unblockable at times. His combination of power and speed is possibly the best in the nation. He doesn’t put up a ton of production, but neither did Clowney at South Carolina, and he was the number one pick. Nkemdiche has been better than Clowney during his college career, and Nkemdiche doesn’t have the injury concerns Clowney did. Nkemdiche will probably play defensive tackle in the NFL and maybe end during running downs. This kid is the rare case where he is incredibly athletic and shows at least some refinement. He is the real deal. Don’t believe me on how athletic he is? Check this clip out! (and remember, that's a 300 pound defensive lineman). He will likely be drafted early in the first round as well.
Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
Smith is the most explosive player in the country, and he’s a linebacker! He is an incredible athlete and has a great football IQ. When you watch this guy, he’s always around the ball, and he makes a ton of plays. He can play multiple linebacker positions and play them extremely well. With the Bears, he would probably play inside, because of the presence of Lamarr Houston, Pernell McPhee and Willie Young on the outside. Smith is so talented, he would step in and automatically be the most talented player on the Bears defense. If the Bears can’t draft Goff, I want Smith to be the pick. He will likely be selected early-mid first round.
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
Our last first round prospect, Ramsey is an extremely versatile defensive back from Florida State. He started as a freshman at corner, played extremely well, then moved to safety to make way for them to move Ronald Darby outside. With Darby being drafted by the Bills this year, Ramsey moved back to corner this year. And did I mention he’s athletic? According to a scout, "(Jalen) Ramsey is going to make those metrics nerds lose it. He's a freak athletically. Kid is rare." According to a scout, "(Jalen) Ramsey is going to make those metrics nerds lose it. He's a freak athletically. Kid is rare." That is high praise. An extremely athletic defensive back who has elite ball skills and can stick to his man like glue? That could help the Bears immensely, as they lack any recognizable building blocks in the secondary. He will likely be selected sometime in the first round.
Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
Cash is a big hulking safety at 6’2, 210 pounds. He excels in the box and in the slot. He is an incredible run defender with great speed and toughness. Cash has a top notch football IQ and can set the defense up in a second. Cash uses his hands extremely well to disengage from blocks and get position against gigantic tight ends and smaller running backs. If you watch Duke play at all, Cash stands out because of his ability to make big plays and be around the ball. Cash compares most to Seattle’s Kam Chancellor, as he can be an incredible leader, as well as just making a lot of huge plays. Cash’s coverage ability could hold him back in the NFL, as he has rarely played deep in coverage at Duke. However, if Vic Fangio figures out how to use Cash in the Bears defense similar to how Seattle uses Chancellor, then our secondary looks pretty good for the future with Adrian Amos and Cash. That's why I would highly recommend to Ryan Pace to draft this kid late second, early third round.
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
This is my dark horse. Wentz is a pure winner. He just wins games. Also, he’s 6’6 235, and he runs the read option extremely well in NDSU’s system. Wentz has an extremely natural throwing style that will translate well to the NFL. He throws the ball extremely well, mixing up his pace, with touch passes and bullets that fall right into the receivers waiting hands. Wentz isn’t a first round prospect for a couple reasons. He isn’t great at looking down the field, assessing his options, and then finding the best one. In his tape, there is a wide open receiver, and he misses it. If he can clean this up, and it's very easy too, then he can vault his stock up to the late first,early second, similar to Joe Flacco in 2008 or Jimmy Garoppolo in 2014. If the Bears don’t pick a quarterback in the 1st round, they should get this kid in the early 3rd
-Jacob Sosler
Smith is the most explosive player in the country, and he’s a linebacker! He is an incredible athlete and has a great football IQ. When you watch this guy, he’s always around the ball, and he makes a ton of plays. He can play multiple linebacker positions and play them extremely well. With the Bears, he would probably play inside, because of the presence of Lamarr Houston, Pernell McPhee and Willie Young on the outside. Smith is so talented, he would step in and automatically be the most talented player on the Bears defense. If the Bears can’t draft Goff, I want Smith to be the pick. He will likely be selected early-mid first round.
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
Our last first round prospect, Ramsey is an extremely versatile defensive back from Florida State. He started as a freshman at corner, played extremely well, then moved to safety to make way for them to move Ronald Darby outside. With Darby being drafted by the Bills this year, Ramsey moved back to corner this year. And did I mention he’s athletic? According to a scout, "(Jalen) Ramsey is going to make those metrics nerds lose it. He's a freak athletically. Kid is rare." According to a scout, "(Jalen) Ramsey is going to make those metrics nerds lose it. He's a freak athletically. Kid is rare." That is high praise. An extremely athletic defensive back who has elite ball skills and can stick to his man like glue? That could help the Bears immensely, as they lack any recognizable building blocks in the secondary. He will likely be selected sometime in the first round.
Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
Cash is a big hulking safety at 6’2, 210 pounds. He excels in the box and in the slot. He is an incredible run defender with great speed and toughness. Cash has a top notch football IQ and can set the defense up in a second. Cash uses his hands extremely well to disengage from blocks and get position against gigantic tight ends and smaller running backs. If you watch Duke play at all, Cash stands out because of his ability to make big plays and be around the ball. Cash compares most to Seattle’s Kam Chancellor, as he can be an incredible leader, as well as just making a lot of huge plays. Cash’s coverage ability could hold him back in the NFL, as he has rarely played deep in coverage at Duke. However, if Vic Fangio figures out how to use Cash in the Bears defense similar to how Seattle uses Chancellor, then our secondary looks pretty good for the future with Adrian Amos and Cash. That's why I would highly recommend to Ryan Pace to draft this kid late second, early third round.
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
This is my dark horse. Wentz is a pure winner. He just wins games. Also, he’s 6’6 235, and he runs the read option extremely well in NDSU’s system. Wentz has an extremely natural throwing style that will translate well to the NFL. He throws the ball extremely well, mixing up his pace, with touch passes and bullets that fall right into the receivers waiting hands. Wentz isn’t a first round prospect for a couple reasons. He isn’t great at looking down the field, assessing his options, and then finding the best one. In his tape, there is a wide open receiver, and he misses it. If he can clean this up, and it's very easy too, then he can vault his stock up to the late first,early second, similar to Joe Flacco in 2008 or Jimmy Garoppolo in 2014. If the Bears don’t pick a quarterback in the 1st round, they should get this kid in the early 3rd
-Jacob Sosler