Bears watch, Wait

The Bears already have their man, quarterback Jay Cutler, leaving the 2009 draft as one of the least anticipated in these parts in more than a decade. The Bears' only first-day pick -- in fact, their only pick in the first 98 selections -- is No. 49 in the second round. The real work starts Sunday, with the Bears holding seven picks in Rounds 3 through 7. They have been known to trade down under Jerry Angelo, and word around the league Thursday night was that they have been doing what Angelo would call ''due diligence'' and letting other teams know the 49th pick could be available. Wide receiver is their biggest need, and the Bears are looking for players mature enough to fit in right away (seniors as opposed to juniors) and an element they don't already have (size as opposed to speed). Angelo and draft director Greg Gabriel insisted recently they won't be tied to the position if there isn't a player they like at No. 49. They also will have to monitor the trade market because if Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards is traded, it could open the possibility of a player they like being available. The Cardinals drafted LSU's Early Doucet last year and might not be in the market for a receiver if they trade Boldin, but the Browns are likely to take one before a potential Edwards deal so they can load up at the position. Defensive end is also a huge priority, and the Bears will look to grab a safety, a cornerback, a linebacker, perhaps an offensive tackle and maybe another receiver late for good measure. Here's a look at how the first round might go down: 1. DETROIT. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia: The Lions were last in the league last year on defense and 30th in rushing, but with only one Pro Bowl quarterback in the last 51 years -- former Bears offensive coordinator Greg Landry in 1971 -- no true rebuilding can begin until this spot is settled. Lions have 8 picks and need QB, OT/G, new defense. 2. ST. LOUIS. Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia: The Rams are No. 2 for the second year in a row ... heck, they have been No. 2 for most of this decade. Late rumors of Mark Sanchez love give way to a pick between Monroe and Jason Smith. Flip a coin. Rams have 7 picks and need OT, WR, better coaching. 3. KANSAS CITY. Jason Smith, OT, Baylor: The building is in lockdown with Bill Belichick disciple Scott Pioli closing down information, but late talk has the Chiefs taking a hard look at Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree. That makes sense given new coach Todd Haley's background in Arizona. Aaron Curry would make sense here, too. Chiefs have 7 picks and need DE, LB, WR, OT. 4. SEATTLE. Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest: Safest pick in the draft because of his work ethic. If a tackle falls, the Seahawks prefer Smith to Monroe. Crabtree might fit here, too. Seahawks have 10 picks (four in seventh round) and need OLB, OT, WR, S and maybe QB. 5. CLEVELAND. Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: Pick could be traded, or the Browns might trade Brady Quinn and take Mark Sanchez. Word is new coach Eric Mangini wants to completely overhaul the roster with his guys and is looking to get picks. Browns have 5 picks and need DE, OLB, S, WR, RB. 6. CINCINNATI. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama: With Stacy Andrews lost in free agency and Levi Jones struggling with injuries, the Bengals want the best tackle left on the board. They have been looking hard at Orakpo and are considering Crabtree. Bengals have 11 picks and need OT, C, WR, DE, RB. 7. OAKLAND. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri: Receiver is the top priority, and Crabtree might be the pick, but when it comes to Al Davis, speed always matters and Maclin is loaded with it. Don't be surprised if Darrius Heyward-Bey is the real target, perhaps in a trade down. Raiders have 5 picks and need WR, OT, S. 8. JACKSONVILLE. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech: Sanchez is a possibility; ditto B.J. Raji. But even after signing Torry Holt, the only other receivers on the roster are Dennis Northcutt and Mike Walker. Jaguars have 9 picks and need WR, DT, S, OT, CB. 9. GREEN BAY. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College: The Packers are switching to a 3-4, and this is not a perfect fit because they need more outside rush specialists, but they won't pass on a special player -- unless it's for an opportunity to trade down. Packers have 9 picks and need DE, LB, OT, RB, S, DB. 10. SAN FRANCISCO. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC: Despite claiming they're content to go with the quarterbacks on the roster, the 49ers need to think about the future and won't pass good value here. Will Mike Singletary prefer to go defense? Niners have 9 picks and need OT, DE/OLB, WR. 11. BUFFALO. Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State: The Bills will be hoping Orakpo falls and could grab Robert Ayers here, but it's too early for a tight end so they will fill the biggest need on defense. Bills have 9 picks and need DE, OT, TE, LB. 12. DENVER. Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU: The great mystery with the Broncos is whether they will take a quarterback. Josh McDaniels is too proud for that move, though rumors they are after Brady Quinn won't go away. Broncos have 10 picks and need NT, OLB, ILB, DE, WR. 13. WASHINGTON. Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi: Daniel ''Call Me Mister'' Snyder might share a high-five with Vinny Cerrato if this one goes down. At least they won't have to take a quarterback to further alienate Jason Campbell. Redskins have 9 picks and need OT, DE, WR. 14. NEW ORLEANS. Malcolm Jenkins, FS, Ohio State: The Saints need a safety, and Jenkins can start immediately. They will consider a pass rusher here but settle on solving a major area of need. Saints have 4 picks and need S, DE, CB, RB. 15. HOUSTON. Brian Cushing, LB, USC: The Texans want Jenkins, and if he's not here, they will trade down and take Cushing later. Texans have 8 picks and need OLB, RB, S. 16. SAN DIEGO. Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio State: This is more of a future need, and there's a chance MLB Rey Maualuga could be the pick because he solves an immediate issue. But Wells is too good to pass up. Chargers have 8 picks and need DE, ILB, OLB, S, RB. 17. N.Y. Jets. Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State: They can swear all they want that Kellen Clemens is their guy and Brett Ratliff is a good backup. Actions speak louder than words, and this is a huge need. Jets have 6 picks and need WR, QB, DE, RB. 18. DENVER (from Bears ). Clay Matthews, OLB, USC: You have to love the Broncos. They rank 29th on defense last year, hire an offensive-minded coach, trade their Pro Bowl quarterback and now draft all defense. Beautiful. 19. TAMPA BAY. Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi: Word is new defensive coordinator Jim Bates is getting away from the Tampa-2, and this will be a step in the overhaul. Buccaneers have 8 picks and need DT, DE, CB, WR. 20. DETROIT (from Dallas). Ziggy Hood, DT, Missouri: The worst run defense in the NFL has to get better. 21. PHILADELPHIA. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia: The Eagles might be tempted by a tight end here, but given age and injury concerns with Brian Westbrook, this makes more sense. Eagles have 10 picks and need RB, OL, TE, WR, DE. 22. MINNESOTA. Eben Britton, OT, Arizona: It might be too tempting to grab Darrius Heyward-Bey or Percy Harvin, but this is a big need. Vikings have 6 picks and need OT, WR, CB, DT, C. 23. NEW ENGLAND. Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee: Belichick says he is open to taking the best player on the board, with three picks in the second round and two in the third to address needs. Patriots have 11 picks and need DE, S, CB, LB. 24. ATLANTA. Larry English, DE/OLB, NIU: The Falcons looked like a lock to take Brandon Pettigrew here, but trading for Tony Gonzalez changes things. Falcons have 7 picks and need OLB, SS, CB. 25. MIAMI. Rey Maualuga, LB, USC: The Dolphins love overachievers who bring the wood. Dolphins have 9 picks and need CB, WR, DE, LB. 26. BALTIMORE. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State: It's hard to imagine the Ravens wouldn't want local kid Heyward-Bey, but they love to use the tight end. Ravens have 6 picks and need TE, OT, WR. 27. INDIANAPOLIS. Darrius Hayward-Bey, WR, Maryland: How did this guy fall so far? Odds are he won't be here on draft day. If he is, look out. Colts have 8 picks and need WR, DT, OLB, RB, OT. 28. BUFFALO (from Carolina and Philadelphia). Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma: Dick Jauron gets a starting right tackle from Day 1. 29. N.Y. Giants. Hakeem Nix, WR, North Carolina: Harvin is still on the board, but the Giants want character guys. Giants have 10 picks and need WR, OT, MLB. 30. TENNESSEE. Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers: It's a close call with CB Alphonso Smith. Will pass on Harvin as Giants did. Titans have 10 picks and need WR, CB, OLB, OT. 31. ARIZONA. Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut: A linebacker is a possibility, but why not add to elite offensive unit? Cardinals have 8 picks and need RB, OLB, TE. 32. PITTSBURGH. Alex Mack, C, California: Time to get back to running the Football. Steelers have 9 picks and need OL, DL, CB.