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Analysts predict who Bears will draft

Several NFL analysts have updated their mock drafts after teams have filled needs in free agency. Here's who a dozen of them think the Bears will select with the 11th overall pick:

Will Brinson, CBS Sports (March 16)
Pick: Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple
Comment: "Another defensive piece from Ohio State's dangerous defense gives the Bears the makings of a very young secondary along with Kyle Fuller. Ryan Pace could quickly remake this defense over in the offseason."

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (March 16)
Pick: Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson
Comment: "John Fox loves edge defenders with nasty temperaments and solid technical skills."

Dane Brugler, CBS Sports (March 14)
Pick: Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins
Comment: "The Bears addressed the linebacker position in free agency and could look at the defensive line with this pick. Rankins starred in a 3-4 scheme at Louisville and offers the versatility to line up at various techniques in Chicago's base."

Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated (March 16)
Pick: Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander
Comment: "Plug holes through free agency, draft the best available player. That's a ticket for success in the NFL when executed properly, as Chicago GM Ryan Pace appears to be doing. The Bears still have needs but they're not in do-or-die territory anywhere. With Alexander, Spence and Elliott all there for the taking, they nab the potential lock-down corner."

Charlie Campbell, Walter Football (March 21)
Pick: Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner
Comment: "The Bears need to continue to rebuild their defense with some five-techniques to go with young nose tackle Eddie Goldman. Buckner could be a difference-maker at the point of attack and potentially give Vic Fangio something like what he had in Justin Smith with the 49ers. Buckner has a serious combination of strength, speed and size. He showed more pass-rushing skills in 2015 and looks like he could be an impact-making defender at the next level. Buckner would be a perfect five-technique in a 3-4 defense. In a 4-3, he could play end and move inside to tackle in passing situations. Sources say that Buckner is great off the field as well. In 2015, Buckner totaled 76 tackles with 16 for a loss, 9.5 sacks and five passes batted. The 6-foot-7, 291-pounder has a similar skill set to former teammate Arik Armstead. Buckner recorded 81 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, four sacks and four passes broken up in 2014."

Nate Davis, USA Today (March 21)
Pick: Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin
Comment: "The Bears spent quite a bit on their defense in free agency, and the draft's wealth of D-linemen allows them to get a good one later. But Conklin would solidify a suspect O-line by allowing Kyle Long to move back inside to guard and keeping newly signed T Bobby Massie on the right side where he belongs."

Jared Dubin, CBS Sports (March 21)
Pick: Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin
Comment: "The Bears got Bobby Massie to work next to Kyle Long on the right side of the line, but they could still use another tackle to protect Jay Cutler."

Luke Easterling, Bleacher Report (March 21)
Pick: Alabama defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson
Comment: "It's not the flashiest pick in the world, but the Bears addressed some of their other defensive needs via free agency, freeing them up to dip into this year's deep interior defensive line class at this pick. A'Shawn Robinson was the anchor of Alabama's dominant defense last season, but he'll be a better fit at the next level if he can slide over and play the 5-technique instead of nose tackle. He's powerful and athletic for his size—6'4", 307 pounds—and would be a valuable addition to a promising young unit with the likes of Eddie Goldman and Will Sutton."

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (March 14)
Pick: North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz
Comment: "The Bears have an established QB, which will allow Wentz the time needed to develop."

Nick Klopsis, Newsday (March 14)
Pick: Alabama defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson
Comment: "The Bears' defense switched to a 3-4 front in 2015, and while they got some surprising contributions from the likes of Jarvis Jenkins, Will Sutton and Mitch Unrein, they could use more impact players in the front seven. They signed two big-time inside linebackers in Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, re-signed Unrein and added former Patriots DT Akiem Hicks, but you can never have enough help along the line. Alabama's A'Shawn Robinson may be the best run-stopping defensive tackle in the class and plays a physical brand of football that would fit well in the NFC North. The 6-3 5/8, 307-pound junior anchored the middle of the Crimson Tide's championship defense and used his power to shed blockers and get to opposing running backs. Robinson still needs to develop a pass rush, but he can slide right in at five-technique alongside 2015 second-round nose tackle Eddie Goldman, giving the Bears' defensive line two very talented youngsters to build around."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (March 21)
Pick: Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley
Comment: "They say they like Charles Leno Jr. at left tackle, but this would be a player too good to pass up. Stanley is outstanding in pass protection."

Rob Rang, CBS Sports (March 14)
Pick: Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed
Comment: "The Bears made strides defensively in the first year under coach John Fox and coordinator Vic Fangio and focused on linebackers in free agency, signing Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman to long-term deals. The defensive line, however, remains a concern. Well-versed in Nick Saban's pro-ready defense, Reed is a plug-and-play option as one of the draft's better run-stuffers, offering the combination of length and strength to play anywhere along Chicago's base three-man front."

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