In his third mock draft released this week, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. predicts that the Bears will select Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson with the No. 8 pick.
"I like what the Bears have done in free agency, adding weapons for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in Allen Robinson, Trey Burton and Taylor Gabriel," Kiper wrote. "Now go get Trubisky some more protection in Nelson, a dominant interior blocker who can slot in Josh Sitton's spot. Another thing to note: Chicago hired Harry Hiestand, Nelson's position coach at Notre Dame, this offseason to coach its offensive line."
In his previous two mock drafts, Kiper predicted the Bears would choose Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley and Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
Kiper projects that the first seven picks will be 1) Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen to the Browns; 2) USC quarterback Sam Darnold to the Giants; 3) UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen to the Jets; 4) Penn State running back Saquon Barkley to the Browns; 5) Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield to the Broncos; 6) North Carolina defensive end Bradley Chubb to the Colts; and 7) Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward to the Buccaneers.
