[The Stache]

Might as well get this going

Justin Blackmon planning to enter draft

Oklahoma State junior receiver Justin Blackmon indicated Wednesday that he plans to declare for April's NFL draft following the Cowboys' Fiesta Bowl showdown with Stanford.

Scouts Inc. has Blackmon rated as the No. 9 overall prospect in this year's draft.

If we lose out, and there is a good possibility without Jay and Forte that we do, we have a shot at a pick between 12-17 in the 1st round. I would be all over Blackmon if that's the case.

[Indianplaya17]

A.J Jenkins from Illinois.

[The Stache]

A.J Jenkins from Illinois.

in the 3rd round, sure.

[Old Style]

For the love of God, get Jay a true #1 WR

[Indianplaya17]

For the love of God, get Jay a true #1 WR

I say the Bears draft Jay a new thumb in the 1st round. The scouting begins.

[Old Style]

For the love of God, get Jay a true #1 WR

I say the Bears draft Jay a new thumb in the 1st round. The scouting begins.

He can have mine, it's a hearty thumb, has not suffered previous injury, its only downside is I wipe with my right hand. I'll tweet Jay and see if he's interested.

[cubbiefan009]

we have a shot at a pick between 12-17 in the 1st round

Blackmon won't be falling that fall sir. Top 5 pick.

[sedgy145]

we have a shot at a pick between 12-17 in the 1st round

Blackmon won't be falling that fall sir. Top 5 pick.

I have to disagree with that. As skilled as he is, he isn't exactly the tool of all trade WR. He's great possession receiver, but lacks the overall speed and multi-facet athleticism that teams are trying to find (e.g. Devin Hester). There are receivers that could easily jump Blackmon, like Alshon Jeffrey and Michael Floyd. Aside from other receivers, Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley are assuredly going top-5, plus name me a draft when an OL and/or DL hasn't gone top-5? Trent Richardson is top-5 talent, but could be a player that drops based on teams at the top of the draft not having a need for him. But if that team that needs a good RB is in the top 5-10, he's being picked and easily being picked over Blackmon.

Blackmon will not go in the top 5 and I'd bet anything on that.

[cubbiefan009]

Ok, if he doesn't go top 5, he's going top 10. Bottom line here is Blackmon is better than Jeffrey/Floyd/anyone else you wanna name. I think he could go top 5 and that's just my opinion.

[The Stache]

Mcshay just put out an updated mock and hes 12th. I know combine can change things, but if I had to guess, he goes between 10-15

[sedgy145]

Ok, if he doesn't go top 5, he's going top 10. Bottom line here is Blackmon is better than Jeffrey/Floyd/anyone else you wanna name. I think he could go top 5 and that's just my opinion.

Top 10, yes, but no way Top 5.

[jammin481]

Mcshay just put out an updated mock and hes 12th. I know combine can change things, but if I had to guess, he goes between 10-15

I think his combine will make him easy top 10. And you have to take into consideration team needs. I don't see a chance he falls to the Bears.

[The Stache]

Looks like LB extraordinaire Manti Te'o is returning for his senior season, so cross him off our wish list.

Brian Hamilton @ChiTribHamilton
UPDATE: #NotreDame LB Manti Te'o to return for senior season, his father confirms to Tribune via text.

Manti Te'o @MTeo_5
Great experience here in Newport Beach. Met so many great people. Saw my parents and made the decision to come back to school. #legend

[The Stache]

Biggest Team Needs:

1. WR (No explanation needed)
2. CB (You saw Bowman today, T. Jennings a FA)
3. LB (Urlacher and Briggs aren't going to play forever and we have no depth at the position whatsoever)
4. OL (Depth more than anything. I think Webb-C.Williams-Garza-Spencer-Carimi can be rock solid)
5. TE (With Martz not coming back, the TE will be vital to whoever the new OC is)
6. DE (Wootten has proven to be very injury prone. Need a 3rd DE for rotational purposes)
7. S (I like Wright/Conte going forward, but we will lose Steltz and Merriweather to FA)

I think our O-line going forward has the potential to be really good with C. Williams and Carimi coming back. Its the only reason I don't have them as a top 3 need. However, we do need depth in case we get hit hard by injuries again next season. Edwin Williams and Frank Omiyale are bad at football.

[The Stache]

Something I've been thinking about, what does everyone think about the possibility of moving up to get Justin Blackmon? McShay has him 12th, but other mocks ive seen have him going anywhere from 4th-8th. Obviously, the Atlanta-Cleveland trade for Julio Jones would be the model, but Atlanta got hosed so I hope we could do a little better, maybe not give up any future picks....

[Old Style]

I think WR has to be a priority, so I'd probably be in favor of trying to move up and get Blackmon.

That, and as you've already mentioned, we have to start preparing to replace some of our key defenders as well.

[sedgy145]

Gosh, the Bears are right now in that shitty gray area in the NFL standings. They're currently out of the playoff picture, but they're currently sitting with the 20th pick! Gross. Out of all teams currently sitting at 7-6, this is the current draft order, based on opponents SOS:

16 - Cincinnati (77-92; .456)
17 - Dallas (78-91; .462)
18 - Tennessee (84-85; .497)
19 - NY Giants (86-83; .509)
20 - Chicago (88-81; .521)
21 - Oakland (90-79; .533)

Things will change with three more games, but just pointing out how bad this is.

[The Stache]

Yep, shitty position. That's why if we lose next week, we just shut down Forte and Cutler and tank the last 2 games. 7-9 should be 15th-ish pick.

[sedgy145]

I agree with WR being a top priority. I would almost put OL near the top, second highest need.

As for WR, I don't even see why we'd want to reach for Blackmon. There are good WR's in the draft. I think the Bears need more of a possession receiver who has a bigger body, runs sharp routes, and excels with his hands. I like Rueben Randle (LSU) and Nick Toon (Wisconsin). They won't be selected in the first round, so the Bears could grab a solid receiver in the second round IF there is a position that falls to them in the first round and they can't pass on.

[The Stache]

I respectfully disagree. We need a game changer. An elite talent that can change games and one where DC's need to game plan around stopping. We already have a very good possession guy in Bennett. Sure hes not a big body, but he always seems to get open and has great hands.

Agreed with it being a great WR class. Potentially 4-5 getting drafted in the 1st round.