Safety first ... or second

Word out of Halas Hall is that the Bears are not "locked in" on a receiver with their first pick in next weekend's draft, which, after the Jay Cutler trade, will be in the second round, 49th overall. There's talk that they will take a safety with that pick and wait to address receiver with their third round pick (compensatory, 99th overall).

I think if Hakeem Nicks, Brian Robiskie, or Kenny Britt is there, you have to take one of them. And, I think if Anquan Boldin and Braylon Edwards are both traded to a couple of teams in the market for WRs before the draft takes place, that there's a pretty decent chance at least one of those guys will be there (although if the Browns moved Edwards that would probably put them in the market).

But there are some pretty intriguing safety prospects. Even with the signing of Josh Bullocks and the solid play of Kevin Payne, the Bears will still be in the market for a safety who can cover with one of their early picks (unless you think the Bears moving Zackary Bowman to safety is the answer, and if you do, you may be the only one). Here are some of the guys who are out there in the draft:

Patrick Chung, Oregon

Chung (6-0 212) might be there at 49, but could be gone because he's on everyone's radar. You hear him compared to Mike Brown a lot because he's that same type of very active, all over the field safety who's just a tackling machine. He will probably be more successful at strong safety because he plays well near the line of scrimmage and lacks top-end closing speed (4.54 40), but he makes plays all over the field. Good hands and ball skills, great instincts.

Louis Delmas, Western Michigan 

Delmas (5-11 196) is a very aggressive player who flies around the field. He's a physical defender despite a rather smallish frame, and he makes plays in coverage. There are some concerns that he may be a little slight to hold up to the pounding of the run game in the NFL, although he has had absolutely no durability issues in his career thus far. Can probably play either free or strong safety, but doesn't have outstanding attributes for either position (4.53 40).

Rashad Johnson, Alabama

Johnson (5-11 203) was a walk on running back for the Crimson Tide who turned into a very instinctive defender with a great feel for the game and a very cerebral style of play. Johnson repeatedly made big plays in critical situations, including three interceptions in Nick Saban's return to Tiger stadium. He has decent speed (4.49 40), but there are some concerns about his size and his open field tackling.

David Bruton, Notre Dame

Bruton (6-2 219) helped himself at the combine, running a 4.46 40 and posting an awfully impressive 41 1/2 inch vertical jump. He brings an impressive blend of skills but he does struggle running with receivers at times, not changing directions very well. He's a good tackler, but does not have very good hands, dropping balls he shouldn't.

Derek Pegues, Mississippi State

Pegues (5-10, 200) is a guy I've mentioned before that I like. I love him at 99, might be a reach at 49.