Yesterday, I released my final pre-draft Bears Mailbag discussing “dream” scenarios, among other things, in preparation for the 2018 first round of the hallowed NFL Draft.
Baker Mayfield went first, Saquon Barkley went second, and Sam Darnold went third. Then, the Browns threw a wrench in the entire draft by taking CB Denzel Ward fourth overall, which allowed DE Bradley Chubb to fall to the Broncos! More on that later.
At six, the Colts took the best player in the draft in Quenton Nelson. And then the Bills traded up to seven with the Buccaneers to take their next QB in Josh Allen.
And finally, after all the anticipation over the last few months, the Bears selected Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith with the eighth overall pick! The best linebacker in the draft, and a steal getting him all the way at eight. Well done, Ryan Pace.
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Here are my thoughts on the new Bears’ inside linebacker.
1. The Bears got the best player available, and one of the best talents in the draft overall by selecting the Georgia linebacker. He is a Day 1 starter and will start next to Danny Trevathan, allowing the Bears to keep quality depth at ILB with Nick Kwiatkoski returning to a reserve role.
2. The Bears apparently were trying to trade up, but nobody bit on their offers. That’s interesting, but it goes to show that Pace will never let draft positioning hinder him from getting somebody he wants if he can help it. That aggressiveness is to be admired.
A surprise team that made calls to trade up: the #Bears. No dice, and now they're on the clock at No. 8.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 27, 2018
3. Chicago had plenty of intriguing options available at eight. Apart from Smith, they had Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James available to them, too. And my favorite pass-rushing option, Harold Landry. But Pace stuck to his guns and took the best player available, not succumbing to the temptation of drafting for need. Again, Pace’s discipline is something incredible.
4. I’m a bit surprised that no teams gave the Bears an enticing enough offer to trade up for Josh Rosen, since he was available at the time. I’d have figured that the Dolphins, Cardinals, and even the Patriots, had to be concerned that one of the others would trade up and take Rosen over them. Perhaps they did but nobody blew Pace away with their offers. We’ll never really know.
5. With the Broncos landing Bradley Chubb, I want Pace on the phone with Denver to try to land their OLB Shane Ray, who suddenly finds himself a misfit in their scheme. Ray is a pass rusher best suited for a 3-4 scheme, and the Broncos recently switched to a 4-3. Von Miller can make the transition because he’s just a freak, but Ray will struggle, so he should be available, in theory. And he would solve a major need for the Bears, likely costing only a mid-to-low round pick. Make it happen, Ryan.
Yo, Ryan Pace, trade a late-rounder for Shane Ray right now. Right now! https://t.co/mDnlzHT1QP
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) April 27, 2018
6. EDGE rusher is still a major need for the Bears. With only one pick available tomorrow, barring any trades, I would think they would aim to address their EDGE depth in the second round. But if the board breaks a certain way and there’s a huge value to be had elsewhere, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pace waited to address EDGE on Day 3.
7. The Bears’ defense got better today — much better. Smith is a stud who will line up for the front seven for years to come, assuming he stays healthy. Be excited, Bears fans.
