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http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=5114727
With their first pick coming at No. 75, the Chicago Bears figure to have a quiet start to the NFL draft, but when they do make their first pick, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock expects them to select a defensive back.
Offensive line is another big need for the Bears, but Mayock said the Bears seem more confident than the rest of the league in the position.
"I think they are going to sit there at 75 and take the highest-rated defensive back on their board," Mayock said Monday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000.
Mayock said Oklahoma's Dominique Franks and USC'sKevin Thomas are potential Bears picks at cornerback. Safeties Chad Jones of LSU or Major Wright of Florida also could interest the Bears.
One rumor making the rounds has the Bears dealing tight end Greg Olsen, who some believe doesn't fit in new offensive coordinator Mike Martz's offense, to the New England Patriots, who have four picks in the top 53. Mayock doesn't see Patriots coach Bill Belichick parting with any of those picks for Olsen.
"The bottom line on Greg Olsen is, depending on how you use him, there's value," Mayock said. "New England could be in the market for a tight end, but I'm not sure it's going to be Greg Olsen. Bill [Belichick] loves his second-round picks. He had four of them last year, and they all really played well for him as rookies.
"As far as Greg Olsen is concerned, there's some value to Jay Cutler and Greg Olsen. Once you get rid of a Greg Olsen, who are you throwing the football to inside the numbers?"
Another potent target for Cutler should be on the Bears' shopping list, Mayock said.
"Devin Hester is a work in progress," Mayock said. "Earl Bennett is a pretty good receiver. Johnny Knox is fast and has become a better receiver than maybe a lot of people thought, given his fifth-round draft status. But after that, I'm not buying into Devin Aromashodu, Juaquin Iglesias, all those guys. I really believe the Bears need another solid receiver threat."