2017 SIGNED:
- Rueben Randle (WR)
- Mike Glennon (QB)
- Quintin Demps (FS)
- Markus Wheaton (WR)
- Kendall Wright (WR)
- Dion Sims (TE)
- Prince Amukamara (CB)
- Marcus Cooper (CB)
- John Jenkins (NT)
So what does this list say? Well it’s likely wide receiver and cornerback are off the board. The money they paid Dion Sims suggests tight end is also out, though that was unlikely to begin with. Safety is a popular choice but the arrival of Demps and money considerations make that hard to fathom as well. In truth there were two big need positions that went largely unaddressed. Adam Jahns listed them both in his recent Chicago Sun-Times article.
“1. Edge rusher
The Bears have five outside linebackers on their roster: Leonard Floyd, Pernell McPhee, Willie Young, Lamarr Houston and Roy Robertson-Harris. So it’s a thin position.
2. Quarterback
The Bears think Glennon is much more than a backup, but they still protected themselves by structuring his contract the way they did.
Glennon signed a three-year, $45 million deal, but his total guarantee is $18.5 million — $16 million of which will come this season. His contract also includes incentives for victories and individual performance.
In other words, for as much as the Bears rave about Glennon, they still want him to earn their long-term commitment.”
Indeed. The Bears only signed one quarterback in free agency with Glennon. They only have two on the roster with him and Connor Shaw. It’s highly unlikely Pace will keep things that way. To say nothing of the three-year contract Glennon signed. Not a ton of long-term security in place. Then there is the edge rusher position, slammed by injuries last year. John Fox is a defensive guy. No doubt he’d prefer more stability there as well.
Thus we arrive at reality. Based on their free agency maneuvers, the Bears are either going to take an edge rusher at #3 overall, or a quarterback. Which will it be? That’s difficult to answer because their final decision could be dictated by who is available. Most expect the Cleveland Browns to take Texas A&M star Myles Garrett at #1. If that happens, everything falls on what the San Francisco 49ers do at #2. Most expect, as with Chicago, it will either be a quarterback or top defensive lineman.
If they go with the QB, odds increase the Bears get the edge rusher. If they go edge rusher, then Pace will have his choice of every quarterback in the class. Assuming people would like a straighter answer than that, there is one last thing to consider.
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According to most draft experts there are 15-16 pass rushers worthy of going on the first two days (rounds 1-3). Quarterbacks? That number stands at around 5-6. Take from that what you will.
