From mistake to the lake: Bears grab WR Wilson
The Bears traded down in the fifth round for a roll of the dice in the seventh.
After moving down 10 spots in the fifth to acquire the Atlanta Falcons’ seventh-round pick, the Bears took Washington State wide receiver Marquess Wilson, who quit his college team last season over alleged physical and mental abuse by coach Mike Leach. He later recanted those charges.
Wilson was considered a possible first- or second-round pick after setting school records with 82 receptions for 1,388 yards (16.9 per catch) and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2011. He had 52 receptions for 813 yards (15.6 per catch) and five touchdowns in nine games last season.
‘‘We definitely did our due diligence [on Wilson],’’ general manager Phil Emery said. ‘‘We felt the point in the draft that a person [with his] talent deserves a second chance. His biggest sin is he walked out. We felt very comfortable that this was a good person who made an immature decision.’’
Cornelius Washington said he feels ‘‘blessed to be able to go to Chicago.’’ He just didn’t think it would be in the sixth round.
The 6-4, 265-pound defensive end/linebacker from Georgia was considered a second- or third-round prospect entering the draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had him going 48th overall. As it turned out, the Bears drafted him with the 188th pick.
‘‘Me and my agent ... we’re still shocked,’’ Washington said. ‘‘I have no idea what was going on. But I’ve got an opportunity and that’s the
Boom or bust
most important thing. You turn something that’s mildly negative into a positive and it’s still a blessing. I’m blessed to even get drafted at all. So I’m not bitter. Just ready to go to work.’’
More O-line help
After drafting Kyle Long with the 20th overall pick, Emery added more offensive line competition by drafting Louisiana Tech tackle Jordan Mills in the fifth round (163rd overall).
Mills, a cousin of Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams, was part of an offense that allowed just 10 sacks and led the nation in scoring (51.5 points per game).
He’s already looking forward to forming a bookend pair of tackles with Jermon Bushrod.
‘‘With him on the left side, me on the right side, that’s going to be an offensive line to reckon with — and with Kyle Long also,’’ Mills said.