2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen top first round
By Brad Weiss
Arden Key
Defensive End, LSU
The Chicago Bears went out and got their franchise quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft, trading up one spot to take University of North Carolina signal-caller Mitchell Trubisky. The returns on Trubisky have been positive this Summer, as he looks like someone who could eventually be a franchise quarterback one day. The team is going to roll with Mike Glennon in Trubisky’s rookie season, which should be a long one for the Bears franchise.
Prior to the start of the season, the Chicago Bears lost their top wide receiver in Cameron Meredith. Without Meredith in the fold, the Bears are going to have to rely on Kevin White to be the WR1, and he has yet to prove he can stay healthy for a full season. Chicago does not figure to do much in a pretty tough NFC North this season, which should land them back at the top of the draft next April.
With that pick, the Bears should look to do something to bolster their defense. Arden Key of the LSU Tigers is an incredible physical specimen, whose game will translate well to the NFL level. He is extremely fast off the ball, and has the kind of strength you need from a defensive end. The Bears went offense in the first round in 2017, so expect them to get a cornerstone player for their defense in 2018.
Key has yet to play this season, as he had to sit out the Tigers season opener with an injury. That should do little to jeopardize his draft stock, as there is plenty of tape on him up to this point. This would be a nice pick for the Bears, who are looking to finally become relevant again in the NFC North. Trubisky is going to be a good player, but he is at least a year away from leading this franchise out of the cellar.