2014 NFL mock draft: Louis Nix III to Chicago Bears at No. 51

The Chicago Bears might have been a shoo-in for the postseason last year, given their successes on offense, were it not for the shortcomings of one of the league’s worst defenses. Kev H of Windy City Gridiron is addressing that unit again in the second round of our mock draft.

”With the level of hot trash that the Bears defense was last year, there’s no reason for the Bears not to go defense heavy in the first two rounds. With Calvin Pryor shoring up things at safety in the first round, it would be best for the Bears to attack the defensive line, and with what’s on the board, Nix is likely the best fit.

While not having the most statistically impressive season in 2013, notching just 27 tackles, he’s following up a season in 2012 where he put up 50 tackles and a couple sacks. Last year he tore a meniscus which limited his ability to impress. There are also concerns about him carrying too much weight, but being brought into a pro program should benefit him, get him into a good regimen, and get the man in the center to take a beating against interior offensive lines.

The Bears brought in some versatile pass rushers in the offseason in Willie Young and Lamarr Houston, but signs point to a possible shift away from a true Tampa 2 base. If that’s the case, a guy Nix’s size could really open up the outside matchups for others. He’s got a lot of form that could use some fixing, and those kinds of projects are what GM Phil Emery seems to crave.”

Somehow, someway Nix fell this far. Maybe people forgot about him. Maybe Nix just doesn’t fill a need. Regardless, the Bears get the unquestioned steal of this mock draft. Nix’s stats don’t matter. He occupies blockers, can push the pocket and will get into the backfield. Considering the players on Chicago’s interior defensive line – Nate Collins, Stephen Paea, Jay Ratliff and Tracy Robertson – Nix would clearly be an upgrade.