NFL Mock Draft 2015: Chicago Bears Select Shane Ray

Shane Ray, LB, Missouri

I had the pleasure of meeting Ryan Pace and the one thing I can say about him is he's a no-nonsense guy who knows the truth when it's right in its face. And the truth is he knows what success looks like coming from the Big Easy. It's ironic that his current team is a lot more like his former team. His current team underperformed last year, the team got rid of its best wide receiver, purged themselves of some talented yet overpriced players and finally, needs help everywhere even at quarterback. Being in the top 10 for the first time since 2005 is a blessing for a new general manager looking to rebuild if not invigorate a franchise. But the humbling truth is that that this team has gotten old. Scratch that, this team has BEEN old, but they were winning until the bottom fell last year. Time to infuse some new blood in Halas Hall.

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Problem is this team has an abundance of needs and will need an abundant amount of picks to FILL those needs. In a draft that is top heavy in talent, this is the perfect trade up spot. Pace will be manning the phones to see who wants to trade up. (Cleveland, NOLA?)

The Chicago Bears can draft any player at any position and and no one would argue the reason why. A quarterback to groom is a necessity, but not in the first round. Cutler is a head case but he has a fastball that is needed n the Fall and Winter Chicago wind. Drafting a wide receiver to start opposite Alston Jeffrey is tempting as well as drafting an offensive lineman, but Coach John Fox knows an upgrade at both positions would not make a difference unless the Bears can stop the opposing offense.

Being that lthe D was the third worst defense in the NFL last year behind Atlanta and Pace's former team, Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio is screaming for a difference maker. The most productive veteran on dlefense was Peanut Tillman and he was cut. Rookie Kyle Fuller was a bright spot, but the rest of the starting lineup was dumpster garbage and that was  on a GOOD day. (This includes you too,Jared Allen!)

Thus either a trade down or the best rush end available.

Thus Shane Ray is a Bear.

This pick will not make the home base happy now, but no one is winning any games in April. Again, this team couldn't stop anybody. Pace has done well signing talented players but considering the NFC North is offensively heavy, in Pace's mind, you can not have too many pass rushers. Fact: Fox's modus operandi his first year with his two previous employers has always been to draft an edge rusher in the first round. And both of those teams went to a Super Bowl within two years. Why rock THAT boat when you don't have to?

John Fox wins with a good running game and an above average defensive.  Back in 1985, that used to be the Bears way of winning games.

Thirty years later, full circle.

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Thanks to all the CSC members who participated in this year's community mock draft. Without your help, none of this would be possible.

Below are the complete results from our community mock draft.

Catch up with all of the mock draft selections in our 2015 CSC Community Mock Draft Hub.