The Chicago Bears 2020 draft plans aren’t their primary focus yet. This team is 3-2 and very much in the playoff mix despite some of the doom-and-gloom types out there. They have one of the best defenses in the league. If they can get their offense somewhat on track, there’s no reason to think they can’t make another run to January. With that said, it’s clear this is still a flawed football team that has plenty of room for improvement.
It’s a matter of determining which areas require the most attention, both in the short and long-term. GM Ryan Pace and his front office likely have at least a preliminary list of needs in mind. Ones that will have to be addressed despite a limited supply of resources. No 1st round pick. Little salary cap space. It could take some serious creativity to accomplish all of their goals. Yet this is the price that teams must pay sometimes.
So how does their board look as of the bye week? Here is a breakdown of their most pressing needs as they stand currently.
Chicago Bears 2020 draft needs as of the bye week
#1 – Offensive line
The sudden regression up front is a major concern for the Bears. They can’t run the ball (3.4 yards per carry) and are on pace to allow 41 sacks this season. Kyle Long looks like a shell of his former self. He’ll be 32-years old in 2020 and continues to be racked with injury setbacks. Charles Leno is in danger of breaking his own record of 13 penalties in a season. He already has eight through five games. Both men have been liabilities. It’s clear the team needs more fresh blood in the mix at both guard and tackle.
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#2 – Tight end
Trey Burton? He can’t stay healthy. Adam Shaheen? He can’t stay healthy either and isn’t that effective even when he is. The tight end position is a weakness on this team. The Bears aren’t getting much out of it and this is a problem given its importance to Nagy’s West Coast-style system. Kansas City and Philadelphia run the same schemes and they’re having more success. Why? They have their tight ends. Burton and Shaheen aren’t the answers. So Pace has to take another crack at it until he finds the guy they need.
#3 – Quarterback
Through five games, Mitch Trubisky and Chase Daniel have combined for 1,014 passing yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. That’s good for an 86.3 passer rating. For an idea of how inadequate that is, Jacoby Brissett ranks 22nd in passing and he has 1,062 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Bears can dance around the questions all they want. Facts are facts. They still aren’t getting enough production from the most important position in the sport. Daniel will be a free agent in 2020 and barring a 5th-year option, Trubisky will be in the final year of his rookie deal. That puts quarterback high on the list.
#4 – Defensive back
While this season the secondary is in fine shape with a good mix of young and veteran talent, things are set to change soon. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will be a free agent after this year. It’s also possible that Prince Amukamara, who will turn 31, could be a cap casualty as well. That puts both cornerback and safety near the top of the priorities. Right now the Bears don’t really have any notable options waiting in the wings. Kevin Toliver hasn’t done much in his second year. Hopes are high for 6th round rookie Duke Shelley but he has a lot still to prove. They need another body in the mix.
#5 – Edge rusher
Khalil Mack is and shall remain a star for some time to come. That is the good news. The bad news? Chicago really doesn’t have somebody else capable of even polishing his boots. Leonard Floyd isn’t going to be what everyone hoped. He’s a nice jack-of-all-trades player. He’ll get you 5-7 sacks and is a capable player against the run and in coverage. Aaron Lynch will also be a free agent again next year. The Bears need to find a way to maximize Mack’s prime while they still can. That means finding another capable edge rusher.
#6 – Inside linebacker
This position wouldn’t even be a subject of discussion. They have plenty of talent present. However, that could change in a hurry with Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski both becoming free agents in March. That could tear a huge hole in the lineup. Roquan Smith will still be in place but that would leave Joel Iyiegbuniwe to fill the void. Not the most desirable scenario at this point. If they can’t keep Trevathan around, this position will likely experience a significant jump up the list given how critical he’s been to the defense’s success.
#7 – Defensive end
The injuries to Akiem Hicks, while not season-ending do raise the stress level on the defense. It’s clear this front seven isn’t quite the same with him not on the field. Hicks turns 30-years old this November. So this is the time when the team needs to start thinking about finding a possible successor down the road. Maybe Bilal Nichols can be that guy but he’s on the shelf as well. There’s no harm in continuing to bolster that position at every opportunity. Especially when they have one of the best defensive line coaches in the business in Jay Rodgers.