The NFL Draft is still more than two months away, but it's never too early to speculate about who the Bears will select with the No. 3 pick. Here's what some national analysts are projecting:
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com (Jan. 26)
Pick: Alabama defensive tackle Jonathan Allen
Comment: Adding another piece to the defense could help the Bears close ground on their rivals in the offensive-minded NFC North.
Dane Brugler, CBS Sports (Feb. 14)
Pick: Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer
Comment: The Bears have some intriguing talent on the roster, but the quarterback depth chart is disheartening. Although his tape shows youthful mistakes, Kizer also shows the veteran poise and ideal physical traits to play the position at a high level.
Charlie Casserly, NFL.com (Feb. 13)
Pick: Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore
Comment: In the NFC North, you need cornerbacks with terrific cover skills; Lattimore fits the description.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (Feb. 9)
Pick: Alabama defensive tackle Jonathan Allen
Comment: Allen is a high-impact player and would add to a talented front seven in Chicago.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (Jan. 19)
Pick: Alabama defensive tackle Jonathan Allen
Comment: Allen, who had 22.5 sacks over the past two seasons, could play defensive end or defensive tackle in the NFL. Positional flexibility is a big selling point, and he'd likely play end in the Bears' 3-4 in this scenario. He was one of the best players in college football in 2016. The Bears had a disappointing 2016 season and have needs across the board, including at quarterback, safety and potentially receiver, depending on what happens with free agent Alshon Jeffery.
Todd McShay, ESPN (Feb. 8)
Pick: Alabama defensive tackle Jonathan Allen
Comment: Allen has elite strength and quickness. He's an excellent run-stopper, and he had 15 QB hurries and 10.5 sacks as an interior pass-rusher in 2016. The Bears could also be in the market for a quarterback, but Allen is the pick because of his elite skill set (No. 2 player on my board) and fit in Vic Fangio's base 3-4 scheme.
Rob Rang, CBS Sports (Feb. 13)
Pick: LSU safety Jamal Adams
Comment: Safety has long been a sore spot in Chicago with only one Bears safety (Mike Brown) earning an invitation to the Pro Bowl over the past 20 years. Adams has that kind of potential and is viewed by some as the safest prospect in the draft. He is a tone-setter with a rare combination of instincts, athleticism and intangibles to make an immediate impact on a defense that made strides a year ago but allowed 24.9 points per game, 24th in the NFL.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com (Jan. 25)
Pick: North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky
Comment: Trubisky is an accurate passer with athleticism. If the Bears want to keep up with Detroit and Green Bay in the division, they need a new quarterback.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com (Jan. 31)
Pick: Alabama defensive tackle Jonathan Allen
Comment: If Trubisky falls, the Bears would likely pounce, but Allen is a safe selection with a winning track record. He has been labeled a "tweener" by some, but the bottom line is that he's a productive rusher from anywhere along the line.
