Bears fans are setting themselves up for disappointment with their Donald obsession.
Donald is probably not going to be there, and with how people are hyping him he will be a failure unless he has 12 sacks.
If Donald gets picked at 8, we are going to need to move on and make picks.
More chance than not he won't be there, but that doesn't mean the Bears should move on from addressing the D-Line. I think Houston is the perfect mold to play 3 Technique. The size, the athleticism, the burst, technique, & power are all there with Houston. That being said, I'd pretty happy with Kony Ealy at #14, & move Houston inside where I think he'd an excellent 3 Technique.
I would like to see the Bears make a bold move for once. I'm a full believer that the 3-Tech is as much of a key position as ever in any system whether it's in a 4-3 Tampa 2, Hybrid, or as a 3-4 DE. Teams just cannot rely on their secondary as much as they used to with all of the new rules in place for defenseless WR's, & pass interference calls made for the slightest contact with a WR. Modern day, a defenses only only real chance is to get to the QB, stop the run, & be disruptive up front for 4 quarters. Teams just can't play coverage the way they did 5+ years ago, without being frequently penalized.
In any scenario I don't think the Bears defense is going to be a top 5 or 10 defense, but I do think that they be competent enough to help them contend. This defense isn't getting fixed in one off season, & I don't believe that the Bears are going to get much out of players they draft beyond the first two picks. I know there are exceptions like Mills, but that's tough to bank on every draft. I think the Bears really should focus on getting three key pieces from the draft that can help them the most now & that's a 3-Tech in the first, a free safety in the second, & a 1-Shade in the mid rounds. IMO the mock you had was perfect, IMO Donald & Brooks will play from day 1 at the Bears two biggest needs on the field. The 4-3 NT/1 shade position is a position that a player capable of playing can tend to pick up fairly quick, & contribute early.
Again I don't think the Bears will be dominant in any case but I do think those three pieces make them competent. Even if they had to move up for Donald, I think it's worth it, & that they can do it without giving up any firsts or this years second. That being said, I think the cost of this years third & a future pick would be a wise investment on a 3-Tech in the first round. Then the Bears still have their first for next year to use on that coveted CB that will also be a need in 2015. IMO the kid is a difference maker for the better that's worth paying for within reason, & I do think that can be accomplished.
