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Durkin: Best Available Round 2 Prospects

By Dan Durkin-

(CBS) Phil Emery did it again.

Fans look upon the first round of the NFL Draft with Christmas-like anticipation, scoping out the biggest box under the tree, only to unwrap it and find a package of striped tube socks inside.

Given his history, the question now becomes: is Emery still more of a scout than a general manager?

To be fair, Kyle Long may very well turn out to be a solid pro - he certainly better be a day one starter this fall - but undoubtedly, he wasn't the name most were expecting to hear. Aaron Kromer has taken seemingly less talented prospects and turned them into elite offensive lineman. That's the hope.

All is not lost, though. The Bears have four more selections in a draft widely regarded as being thin at the top, yet deep. Let's take a look at some of the top talent available at positions of need who may tempt the Bears with their 50th selection.

Linebacker

  • Arthur Brown Kansas State (6-0/241)
  • Kevin Minter LSU (6-0/246)
  • Sio Moore Connecticut (6-1/245)
  • Manti Te'o Notre Dame (6-1/241)

Wide Receiver

  • Justin Hunter Tennessee (6-4/196)
  • Keenan Allen Cal (6-2/206)
  • Robert Woods USC (6-0/201)
  • Quinton Patton Louisiana Tech (6-0/204)
  • Ryan Swope Texas A&M (6-0/205)

Cornerback

  • Jamar Taylor Boise State (5-11/192)
  • Jonathan Banks Mississippi State (6-2/185)
  • Darius Slay Mississippi State (6-0/192)

Defensive Tackle

  • Johnathan Hankins Ohio State (6-3/320)
  • Kawann Short Purdue (6-3/299)

Tight End

  • Zach Ertz Stanford (6-5/249)
  • Travis Kelce Cincinnati (6-5/255)

Ideally, there will be a run on quarterbacks at the top of the second round - Matt Barkley, Geno Smith, Ryan Nassib, potentially Mike Glennon - that will push some prospects down the board.

In Emery we trust. Right?

Jeff Pearl
The author. (credit: Jeff Pearl)

Dan Durkin joined The Score's columnist community after finishing runner-up in the 2011 Pepsi Max Score Search. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois where he was a member of the men's football team (despite his best efforts to join the women's team). Dan is a longtime Scorehead, known as Dan in Wicker Park - even though he no longer resides in Wicker Park - who will be sharing NFL analysis and opinions. You can follow Dan on Twitter @djdurkin. To read more of Dan's blogs click here.

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