The Chicago Bears draft targets list will include all names. That’s how this goes. However, most fans are well-educated on this process by now. With free agency all but done, the Bears’ list of roster needs has narrowed. They also know who the top talents are in this 2018 class. Given the present look of the roster and how the seven picks ahead of them at #8 are shaping, fans have gotten their hearts set on two particular prospects.
They are edge rusher Bradley Chubb of N.C. State and guard Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame. Most experts have them ranked among the top five prospects in the class and both would fill a glaring roster need for Chicago. Leonard Floyd is currently the only proven starter they have at edge rusher, and he’s coming off a torn ACL.
Josh Sitton was just released at guard while Kyle Long endured three different surgeries this off-season. The Bears could really use a talent infusion at either position. The problem? It’s hard to find scenarios where Chubb or Nelson fall to #8. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. So to paint a picture, here is a realistic scenario for each player where that could happen.
SCENARIOS FOR NABBING TOP BEARS DRAFT TARGETS
Bradley Chubb (EDGE, N.C. State)
- #1 – Browns take a QB
- #2 – Giants OG Quenton Nelson
- #3 – Jets take a QB
- #4 – Bills trade up and take a QB
- #5 – Broncos take a QB
- #6 – Colts take RB Saquon Barkley
- #7 – Bucs take DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
Chubb is definitely the more difficult of the two to attain because pass rushers always go high in the draft. Thankfully the Bears are aided right off the bat by so many teams needing a quarterback and the class being strong in high-end depth. Thus the Browns, Jets, Bills, and Broncos all get one. The Giants seem intent on building around Eli Manning for one more run. They tried to sign top guard Andrew Norwell in free agency but failed. it would make sense that they target Nelson at #2.
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The difficult sells are the Colts and Bucs. Why would Indy take Barkley at #6? Easy. They have no starting running back. Their two options are Marlon Mack or Robert Turbin. Not ideal. Perhaps they could wait until the second round for that, but none of the other backs in this class can touch Barkley’s skill.
As for Tampa Bay, their need to draft Chubb may have cooled a bit by their signing of veteran defensive end Vinny Curry. They have a pressing need still present though at safety. Their current projected starters are Chris Conte and Justin Evans. Minkah Fitzpatrick has a level of ability that is beyond them and he could also help the Bucs out at cornerback too. He’s that sort of talent.
Thus Chubb slips to #8 where Chicago is waiting.
Quenton Nelson (OG, Notre Dame)
- #1 – Browns take a QB
- #2 – Giants take a QB
- #3 – Jets take a QB
- #4 – Browns take EDGE Bradley Chubb
- #5 – Bills trade up to take a QB
- #6 – Colts take RB Saquon Barkley
- #7 – Bucs take DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
There are a few key differences this time. It starts with the three QBs going right off the bat. The Giants might be projecting the idea they won’t go there, but can they really ignore this rare opportunity to get a top quarterback who can eventually take over for Manning, who is likely done in the next couple seasons? This will force the Broncos to avoid going quarterback and instead they allow the Bills to come up and do so instead.
After that, it’s the same finish as the Chubb scenario except for this time a little more believable. The Colts would likely prefer a game breaker with elite traits like Barkley while the Buccaneers don’t have a pressing need on the offensive line. Thus Nelson should fall into the Bears’ laps, fixing a nagging problem up front for them.
