Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
I've seen some mock drafts that show the Bears taking LSU safety Jamal Adams with the third overall pick. Knowing that safeties traditionally don't go that high in the draft, do you think the Bears would pick Adams?
Ken L.
Oswego, Illinois
I don't think the fact that safeties rarely go that high in the draft would prevent the Bears from picking one if they feel that that player—whether it's LSU's Jamal Adams or someone else—is capable of becoming a perennial Pro Bowler and impact player. The Chiefs' Eric Berry, the last safety selected in the top five of the draft—he went fifth to Kansas City in 2010—certainly checks both of those boxes. In January, Bears general manager Ryan Pace talked about the importance of bolstering the secondary with players who possess excellent ball skills. So that's a primary need the Bears intend to address at some point this offseason. But whether that occurs in the first round of the draft, we'll just have to wait and see.
It would be great to see the Bears acquire Jimmy Garoppolo. I grew up near in the same city as him. When was the last time the Bears had a quarterback from the Chicago area?
Pat K.
Arlington Heights, Illinois
The last Bears quarterback from the Chicago area was Mike Tomczak, who grew up in Calumet City and attended Thornton Fractional North High School. Tomczak appeared in 84 games with 27 starts in six seasons with the Bears from 1985-90, completing 49.6 percent of his passes for 6,247 yards with 33 touchdowns, 47 interceptions and a 62.5 passer rating. Two interesting facts about Tomczak: He was the first NFL quarterback to win his first 10 starts and he drew a 15-yard penalty while covering a kickoff in Super Bowl XX.
Do you think the Bears would take a chance and draft Michigan tight end Jake Butt if he falls to the third or fourth round or even lower? He has some real skills and talent and with today's ACL surgeries he could be ready to come off the PUP list by midseason.
Johnny P.
Huntington Beach, California
The medical exams that Jake Butt undergoes at the Combine and leading up to the draft will play a major role in determining whether he's even on the Bears draft board. For those who don't know, Butt is a complete tight end who likely would have been a first-round pick before he tore his ACL in the Orange Bowl against Florida State. Personally, I wouldn't pick a player who's not capable of making an immediate impact in the first three rounds of the draft, but if he slips into the fourth round I would definitely consider it. I'll bet, though, that Butt goes to a contending team that already has an established team and can afford to "redshirt" him in 2017.
