JC's Mock Bears Draft: Take 5

The 2007 NFL Draft is this coming weekend, and the Bears currently have seven picks at their disposal. BearReport.com Editor in Chief John Crist comes up with his best guesses as to who the Monsters of the Midway will target on both Saturday and Sunday. In Part V of this week-long series, GM Jerry Angelo sticks to his philosophy and takes the best player available for seven straight selections.

 Round 1 (31st Overall)

JOE STALEY OT - Central Michigan (6'6", 306) Despite being one of the hottest names in the draft the last week or so, it's certainly plausible that Staley falls to the Bears at 31st overall. And although he won't crack the starting lineup ahead of either John Tait or Fred Miller in 2007, he could be a mainstay in the trenches for a decade beginning in 2008. GM Jerry Angelo has not had success drafting offensive linemen in Chicago and spent a lot of money in free agency, but Staley is too good to pass up here.

 Round 2 (37th Overall)

ANTONIO PITTMAN RB - Ohio State (5'11", 207) Cedric Benson is going to get 20 carries per game now that Thomas Jones is with the Jets, but offensive coordinator Ron Turner seems to like the two-back approach. Benson is a bruiser between the tackles, so it makes sense to find a slasher that can do some damage on sweeps and swing passes. Pittman was very productive for two years at one of the best programs in the country, and he is built perfectly to be a situational runner and third-down specialist.

 Round 3 (94th Overall)

VICTOR ABIAMIRI DE - Notre Dame (6'5", 267) The Bears hit a home run last season with the addition of fifth-round rookie Mark Anderson, who led the team with 12 sacks despite only starting one game. Lovie Smith prefers speed and athleticism over size and strength at the defensive end position, and Abiamiri was known for his blinding backside pursuit in South Bend. Both Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye are aging and expensive, which is always a bad combination in today's NFL.

 Round 4 (130th Overall)

MANUEL RAMIREZ OG - Texas Tech (6'3", 326) A four-year starter for the Red Raiders, Ramirez was twice an all-conference selection. One of the strongest players on the board, he explodes off the ball and knows how to use his tremendous power and strength. What he lacks in footwork he makes up with all-out nastiness. Both Ruben Brown and Roberto Garza will be atop the depth chart once again next season, but the Bears simply have to find at least one future replacement soon.

 Round 5 (168th Overall)

CHRIS DAVIS WR - Florida State (5'11", 181) Despite the presence of four pretty good widouts on the roster, another weapon capable of making big plays in the open field would be a nice addition. Davis is fearless catching the ball over the middle despite his slight frame. Rashied Davis found a home at slot receiver in 2006, but this Davis might be more qualified to handle that job. FSU has produced some solid pass-catchers the last few years, including Anquan Boldin, Laveranues Coles, and Javon Walker.

 Round 7 (221st Overall)

ZAK DeOSSIE LB - Brown (6'4", 240) If Lance Briggs is indeed traded before the draft, the Bears are going to have to hedge their bets at weakside linebacker. Jamar Williams is currently running with the first team since Briggs is skipping the offseason program again, but he's very inexperienced and spent most of 2006 on injured reserve. DeOssie comes from an NFL family, and you know he's smart enough to learn the system considering he played his college ball in the Ivy League.

 Round 7 (241st Overall)

MICHAEL COE CB - Alabama State (6'1", 190) Don't be fooled by the fact that Coe comes from tiny Alabama State. He transferred from Arkansas to play for his father, who is the Hornets' head coach. The Cover 2 system works well with bigger corners since they are rarely asked to run with receivers in man-to-man coverage, and Coe is built more like sturdy Charles Tillman than diminutive Nathan Vasher. Tillman and Vasher are free agents after 2007, so keeping both of them is a longshot.

John Crist is the Publisher of Bear Report and Editor in Chief of BearReport.com. To read him every day, visit BearReport.com and become a Chicago Bears insider.