The Chicago Bears missed the playoffs for the second season in a row after losing to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North championship game at Soldier Field and now the team will pick 14th overall in the draft after going 8-8 on the season and some names they could draft include Darqueze Dennard, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Mike Evans, C.J. Mosley, Jace Amaro or Eric Ebron.
The Bears have needs on defense after finishing ranked last in the league in rushing yards allowed per game and the secondary was also a bit of a mess, but that was because of injuries and now head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery will have to decide on what side of the ball to focus on in the early rounds. The defense has some glaring holes, but after the way the offense responded to Trestman's schemes and playcalling, they might be tempted to add even more weapons and there could be some solid players available, including Marqise Lee, Jace Amaro, Eric Ebron and Mike Evans.
The draft is deep this season on both sides of the ball and players like Clinton-Dix and Mosley from Alabama and Dennard could be solid additions to the defense. The team was not really able to replace the production of Nick Roach and Brian Urlacher and along with the loss of Lance Briggs to injury showed a weakness in the defense and that makes Mosely and option. The team also dealt with injuries to the secondary and adding a top rated corner like Dennard could be in the cards as well.
The team's offense was one of the best in the league last season with Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery putting up great numbers and if Jay Cutler can remain healthy, the team could be even better next season. The team allowed over 160 yards per game on the ground last season and that needs to improve and so the team could decide to go defense in the first round. Trestman may have someone coming back after playing very well for Cutler last season, but the QB has also hinted that he might retire, which could lead to the team taking a young backup in the later rounds like Zach Mettenberger, Aaron Murray or David Fales, who could all fit into Trestman's offense. The Bears pick 14th in the first round after going 8-8 last season.