The Chicago Bears are coming into the draft with a number of needs on both sides of the ball and a LaMichael James trade could be an option for Marc Trestman, while players like Anthony Barr, Jace Amaro, CJ Mosley and Aaron Donald could be in the mix for the team in the first round of the draft in 2014.
The Bears have been a busy team this offseason after signing Jay Cutler to a huge extension and bringing in free agent names like Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston and as the draft gets closer, the team is likely focusing on the defensive side of the ball after the way they performed in 2013, meaning names like Aaron Donald, Timmy Jernigan, CJ Mosley, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Dominique Easley and Justin Gilbert could be in the mix for Marc Trestman in year 2.
The Bears made great strides on offense in 2013 under Trestman, ranking fifth in the league in passing yards per game, but the defense left something to be desired -- quite a bit, at least statistically -- as the unit ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards per game and 15th in passing yards allowed. Adding some insult to injury, according to ESPN.com, the team gave up franchise records last season with 478 points given up and 6,313 yards surrendered and while some of that had to do with injuries, it can't be the only explanation. The Bears had a lot that went well in 2013 and now Trestman will try and built upon that and some names that Michael C. Wright at ESPN mentioned include Aaron Donald, Timmy Jernigan and Justin Gilbert and this comes after the team lost Henry Melton in the offseason.
The Bears were hit hard up front and in the middle of the defense with injuries and that's one reason why they gave up so many yards on the ground, but there still is a need at the position even after signing Houston on the outside and names like Donald and Jernigan could be available when the Bears pick at number 14. The Giants are two spots ahead of the Bears and it's likely the team will be going after an offensive player like Eric Ebron, Taylor Lewan or Mike Evans, meaning Chicago could find some solid players if they sneak out of the top 10.
Mosley is a player that has been mentioned as someone the Giants could pick, but after signing the majority of players on defense in free agency this offseason, including bringing back Mark Herzlich and Jon Beason, they likely will avoid the linebacker position. Clinton-Dix is an interesting option after the team secondary ranked so low last year and he would be a much younger player to bring into the mix after having Major Wright and Charles Tillman in the d-backfield.
Mel Kiper picked Jernigan to the Bears in his last draft and that would be a solid move for the Bears, while Donald is also an interesting pick after many predicted before the season he could be a top 10 selection. Some have speculated that Trestman could take a quarterback to develop behind Cutler and with the draft being deep at that position, names like AJ McCarron, Zach Mettenberger, Tajh Boyd, David Fales, Derek Carr and Aaron Murray could be available.
