Ditka: ‘Bears are gonna get a good pick at No. 7′

Instead of trying to fill a particular need with the seventh pick of Thursday’s NFL Draft, the Bears might be best off simply taking the best player available, Mike Ditka says.

The former Bears coach likes what he’s seen from West Virginia wideout Kevin White – widely considered to be the Bears’ top choice – and also believes Chicago would benefit from some defensive help.

“The Bears are gonna do well,” Ditka said. “They’re gonna get a good pick at seven.”

Ditka was enamored with what he heard from White during a panel discussion hosted by Gatorade at the Art Institute of Chicago on Wednesday.

White talked extensively about the importance of character during his college career both at Lackawanna College and West Virginia.

“I like you,” Ditka said as White finished his remarks. “You said all the right things.”

Ditka likes what he’s seen from White on the field, too.

“I’ve watched Kevin play,” Ditka said later. “He’s a good football player.”

The Bears will have plenty of options. Quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota are projected to be the first two players off the board, leaving a slew of talented defensive linemen and wide receivers available for the next few picks.

“They’ve got to get a little better on the defensive side of the ball,” Ditka said. “John [Fox] should do that. He’ll get them better.”