2014 DBN Mock Draft: Chicago Bears Select S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at No. 14

With the 14th pick in the 2014 Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft, the Chicago Bears select...

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

This selection and write-up was made by The Beast Mode:

Coach Marc Trestman, the QB whisperer, and General Manager Phil Emery have put together a high powered offense in Chicago.  Jay Cutler had one of his best seasons in 2013 and signed a long-term deal with the Bears this offseason.  Running back Matt Forte is also locked up long-term and the Bears boast one of the most explosive receiving corps in the league with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.  Furthermore, the Bears greatly improved their offensive line last season by adding four new starters.

With the offense on an upward trajectory, the Bears have the luxury of focusing strictly on the defensive side of the ball early in this draft.  With the #14 pick, the Bears will select the best defensive prospect available, no matter what position.  In this case, the highest rated player on the Bears' big board is Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama.

Clinton-Dix has great size at 6'1 / 208 lbs and has the speed and flexibility to match up with slot receivers and tight ends.  Although Clinton-Dix is not a hard-hitting hammer like fellow prospect Calvin Pryor, he excels in deep ball coverage and will not get beat by fast receivers.  His ball hawk skills will translate to interceptions at the next level, which is important when the Bears face Rodgers and Stafford twice every season.

In 2014, the Bears started Chris Conte at safety and he performed very poorly.  In fact, Conte was rated 82nd out of 86 players in safety performance according to Pro Football Focus.  Conte's worst game might have been week 17 vs the Packers where he was torched by Randall Cobb on the final play to prevent the Bears from making the playoffs.  Therefore, Clinton-Dix can step in right away and take the starting role.  He will help Chicago reclaim their identity as a formidable defensive team.

A lot of mock drafts have the Bears going with DT Aaron Donald, but he went off the board to the Buccaneers in the DBN Mock. I can't get over Clinton-Dix's name, but I think there is no doubt that he'll be the top safety off the board in the draft and an interesting fit in Chicago. This will help inject some youth into the Bears' aging secondary too.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are up next, led by Siberian Husky.

2014 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)