The NFL Draft is still three months away, but it's never too early to speculate about who the Bears will select with the No. 8 pick. Here's what five analysts are predicting:
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Pick: Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley
Comment: Chicago has to add weapons for Mitchell Trubisky, and Ridley is the best receiver in this class by a mile. If the Bears can get a pass-catcher here—and don't upgrade in free agency—Ridley makes the most sense. If he had played in a better passing offense, he could have been a Biletnikoff winner. He's extremely talented.
Dan Kadar, SB Nation
Pick: Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson
Comment: The Bears will need to make a decision about Josh Sitton this offseason, and Kyle Long has started only 17 games in the last two seasons. Those issues at guard could lead Chicago to turning to the draft for Nelson. He's an instant starter up front.
Nick Klopis, Newsday
Pick: SMU receiver Courtland Sutton
Comment: Mitchell Trubisky took his rookie lumps in 12 starts, and it didn't help that he lost his top two receivers to injury before he even took his first snap. Cameron Meredith is coming off a torn ACL and oft-injured Kevin White has played in a grand total of five games since being taken seventh overall in 2015. Courtland Sutton hasn't gotten the same kind of attention as the other top receivers in this class, but he has great size (6-4, 215), which he uses to outmuscle defenders at the catch point. He still needs to refine his route running, but he could be a useful target for Trubisky for years to come.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
Pick: Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward
Comment: The Bears need some offensive firepower, but they can accomplish that in free agency and the middle portion of the draft. Ward lacks ideal size, but he's a dynamic playmaker with the tools to play inside or outside.
R.J. White, CBS Sports
Pick: LSU defensive end/outside linebacker Arden Key
Comment: The Bears can save more than $11.5 million on their cap by parting ways with both Pernell McPhee and Willie Young, and going that route while using this pick on an elite talent like Key makes sense if they're confident his off-field red flags won't be an issue. The premier pass-rusher dealt with injuries himself in 2017, but he's impressed against top SEC talent and should be a constant sack threat in the NFL if he can stay on the field.
