The Bears added a linebacker to the mix with their last pick at No. 195. His name is J.T. Thomas out of West Virginia. Thomas stands at 6’1″ and weighs about 225 lbs. He is a little undersized for a typical NFL linebacker.

Thomas played weakside linebacker, starting in 39 games there at WVU. He made 73 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season. He made honors in the First-Team All-Big East as well.

Thomas has gone through some serious injuries in his time at WVU. Two games into his true freshman year, Thomas suffered an ankle sprain that earned him a medical redshirt. Then during a summer camp before his final year he had a minor neck ailment.

Thomas has been known to never give up on a play, have a high-motor and to fly around the field. Sounds like a guy the Bears would love to add to the mix. For now he will likely contribute on special teams, but Thomas could be a starter down the road. Thomas will have to make a splash on special teams to even make the team, but since he can play all three linebacker positions that could give him a better shot.

Thomas says that Bears fifth-round pick from last season Joshua Moore is one of his “best high-school friends.”

“He told me that if you love football, you’ll love playing for the Bears,” Thomas said. “He said that there was a reason why the Bears were always one of the best defenses in the league. It will be very fun.”

All quotes from ESPNChicago.com

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Chicago Bears first-round pick Gabe Carimi and his family made their way to Halas Hall to visit the members of the Bears organization. Carimi made his way through the building meeting all of the Bears organization including the media.

Carimi had lots of good thing to say about the Bears, here’s what he had to say:

“I think this is a great organization,” he said. “This is the perfect fit for me. I wouldn’t see myself anywhere else.”

“We have O-linemen here who are tough,” he said. “I’m going to play with them and hopefully we’ll have a nastiness to our offensive line.”

Bears second-round pick Stephen Paea and third-round pick Chris Conte will be flying in this afternoon.

Bears last pick in the sixth-round at 195 is moments away from being announced. More news to come on that player.

All quotes are from Chicagotribune.com

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The Bears got a developmental QB in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Nathan Enderle from the University of Idaho has a lot of potential.

So much potential that Mike Martz was among 10 talent evaluators to visit University of Idaho’s pro day back in mid-March. Temperatures were in the low 40′s on that day, so you know Martz and the other talent evaluators were interested in this kid Enderle.

Enderle, listed at 6’5″, 240 lbs threw for over 10,000 and 74 touchdowns in his four years at Idaho. Enderle however threw 60 interceptions in that time. Last season, he completed a career high 271 passes for 3314 yards, 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Enderle is a pocket passer, but doesn’t have the greatest arm. His arm is said to be average, so he will likely use short and intermediate to his advantage.  Enderle improved his accuracy every season at Idaho, in 2010 he completed 56.9 percent of passes.

Enderle missed five games in his career at Idaho, three due to a ruptured tendon in his throwing hand (2007) and two due to a shoulder injury (2009).

Where does Enderle fit on the Bears roster?

The Bears likely view Enderle as a developmental quarterback. Jay Cutler is set as the starter once again, an about to be hero, Caleb Hanie is a restricted free-agent and the Bears would be stupid not to bring him back.

With Enderle, Martz gets to develop his first quarterback since coming to the Bears. Martz is a big fan of developing young quarterbacks and Enderle could be the perfect fit since he is a big kid.

It will be interesting to see what the Bears do with Enderle because last year the Bears wasted a sixth-round-pick on Dan LeFevour, who is now with the Bengals.

The Bears have one more selection left today at No. 195, expect them to pick up a CB, LB or WR.

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The Bears drafted safety Chris Conte with the No. 93rd pick in the third-round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Conte played his first three seasons at the University of California as a cornerback. Last season, was Conte’s first playing time at free safety and it paid off, he was named to the first-team All Pac-10.

In 50 career games at Cal, Conte made 17 starts, 157 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Last season, as a starter at the free safety position, Conte made 72 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception. Conte also blocked a punt which he returned six yards for a touchdown.

Conte, 6’2″, 199 lbs should fit in well with the Bears defense. Conte has good balance, agility and and speed in coverage.

SI.com calls Conte, ”intelligent and a fierce defensive back with an improving game. “Conte played behind a aggressive pass-rush at Cal, which should be the same with the Bears, who saw improved safety play with a better defensive line.

Conte is raw at the free safety position, which is his only real negative. Also, Conte isn’t the best in man coverage, which could be the reason he fell to the Bears late in third round.

What does it mean that the Bears drafted a safety?

It means the Bears are likely to use Conte at free safety and Chris Harris at strong safety. The Bears are really high on last season’s third-round pick Major Wright. The Bears could use Wright at free safety and Chris Harris at strong safety.

Conte will likely spend time playing special teams and adapt slowly to the defense. The Bears aren’t afraid to use rookie safeties as starters, so don’t be surprised if Conte works his way into the lineup.

Danieal Manning turned down the Bears contract offer before the lockout started, so drafting Conte maybe an insurance policy if Manning doesn’t return. The Bears would love to have Manning back for next season. If he decides to return this could be the deepest they’ve been at safety since they had Mike Brown and Tony Parrish starting in 2001.

What do you think of the Bears first three picks?

First Round-Gabe Carimi, OT

Second Round-Stephen Paea, DT

Third Round-Chris Conte, S

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The Bears traded up to get a big defensive tackle that will help plug some holes on defense. Stephen Paea from Oregon State is considered the seventh best defensive tackle and the Bears traded their No. 62nd and No. 127th picks with the Redskins to get him.

So, you know the Bears wanted to get Paea, who broke an NFL Combine record by doing 49 bench press reps at 225 lbs. Paea is a 6’1″ DT who weighs about 303 lbs. Paea will mix in well with Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina and Anthony Adams. The Bears have gone by need with their first two picks, OT and DT.

I like these two picks. Gabe Carimi has endless potential and Paea has a endless motor. Analysts say he would be best as a three-technique lineman and that was what the Bears were looking for. Rumor has it the Bears considered taking Paea at No. 29 last night if Gabe Carimi wasn’t available.

Paea fell in the draft because he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during Senior Bowl practice in January. He wasn’t able to run at the NFL Combine. At the end of March, Paea said he his knee was 85-90 percent healthy. Let’s hope he is healthy we don’t want another injury prone DT like Tommie Harris.

The Bears certainly have done well with their first two picks. I give them an A on their first-round pick with Carimi and a B- on their second round pick with Paea. Lets see what who the Bears scoop up at No. 93.

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The NFL Draft starts very soon, hopefully Bears fans all around the world will be tuning in. It will be interesting to see what happens for the Bears in the second and third rounds tonight.

The second round has started with cornerbacks (Ras-I Dowling (Patriots), Aaron Williams (Bills) and a QB, Andy Dalton (Bengals) being selected.

The Chicago Bears needs are, OG, DT, WR, LB, DE

With Dowling and Williams off the board the best remaining cornerbacks are Brandon Harris from Miami, Davon House from New Mexico State, Shareece Wright from USC and Marcus Gilchrist from Clemson.

-DT Marvin Austin will likely be off the board by the time the Bears pick at No. 62, so if they wanted him they would have to trade up.

-DT Jurrell Casey and Terrell McClain could be options at No. 62 in the second round or at No. 93 in the third round depending if they fall.

-CB Brandon Harris from Miami could fall to the Bears at No. 62, if he does he would be a solid contributor next season.

-WR Leonard Hankerson also from Miami has arguably the biggest hands in the draft. He is the big receiver standing at 6’2″ that the Bears desire.

-WR Jerrell Jernigan from Troy is called a solid route runner and he could possibly play slot in the Bears offense next season. I’m sure Mike Martz would love this kid.

-Trading could be an option, you never know what Jerry Angelo and Co. will do in the later rounds.

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According to Chicagobears.com, Bears first-round pick Gabe Carimi will wear No. 72 next season. William “The Fridge” Perry wore the No. 72 jersey for the Bears from 1985-1993. Gabe should be honored to put on the No. 72 jersey in 2011-12.

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Watch Bears draft pick, Gabe Carimi (#29) match-up against Steelers draft pick Cameron Heyward (#31) in this clip. Carimi is in red for Wisconsin playing at LT, while Heyward is in white playing defensive end against Carimi. This video shows why the Bears drafted Carimi. Carimi should be the starter day one somewhere on the offensive line if not on the left side, than the right. Enjoy the clip.

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The Chicago Bears seem very pleased with selecting Gabe Carimi with their first round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Why wouldn’t they be? Carimi could be the biggest steal of the draft.

General Manager Jerry Angelo and head coach Lovie Smith had a lot to say about Carimi. This is step one to improving this Chicago Bears team.

I’m sure Bears management has a checklist somewhere and on the top read “stud offensive lineman.” They can now check that off of the list.

Here’s what GM Jerry Angelo had to say about Carimi:

“He really does fit the profile we are looking for,” Angelo said.

“I am very happy that he was there,” said general manager Jerry Angelo. “We did a lot of work on him. We feel very comfortable with him. Is he a perfect player? He is not a perfect player. All players are flawed. [But] we liked the fit for this player. We like what he brings to us intangibly.

“We wanted to get better up front and I feel like we were able to accomplish that. He is a seasoned player and I feel that it is not unrealistic for this guy to come in and help us this year.”

Here’s what head coach Lovie Smith had to say about Carimi:

“Loved Gabe from the start,” Smith said. “[I] just think he’s gonna bring toughness to our offensive line. As far as what position he’ll play, we don’t have to make those decisions right now. As far as how soon we’ll see him playing, we’re just gonna have to let him get into the group.”

All quotes are from ESPNChicago.com and ChicagoBears.com

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CBSSports.com has made all of the NFL draft picks jerseys available already for purchase. If you want to purchase the Chicago Bears first round pick jersey or any other teams pick, it will cost you $84.95.

It will be interesting to see what number Carimi wears because he certainly isn’t going to wear number one.

Anyway, if you want the jersey, here is the link, so you can add Carimi to your collection of Bears jerseys.

Don’t forget to follow the NFL Draft tonight, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Bear Down!

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