2017 NFL Mock Draft: NFL Conference Championship Edition

It’s going to be really tempting for the Chicago Bears to draft a quarterback. Jay Cutler is probably gone before the start of the 2017 season, and it’ll be time to find a new face of the franchise.

However, reaching for a quarterback might be a bad decision this early in the draft given the other needs that the Bears have. Instead, the Bears should focus on their board and pick the best player available, which would be Alabama’s Jonathan Allen in this scenario.

There wasn’t a more dominant draft-eligible defensive lineman in college football this season than Allen. This season, the Crimson Tide defender racked up 10.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 15 QB hurries and three fumbles returns, including two that went for touchdowns.

Not only does Allen have a great frame (6-foot-3, 294 pounds) for a defensive end in a 3-4 defensive scheme, but he’s also incredibly disruptive thanks to his violent hands. He’s a versatile player that can move all over the line and make plays with great instincts and play recognition.

Bears fans aren’t going to get psyched up about their team drafting a defensive lineman, but if Chicago is serious about rebuilding into a legitimate contender down the road, then they can’t abandon their board and reach for a quarterback.