Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears have their own way of approaching the NFL draft just like other teams. It’s likely not exactly the same but tailored to how the GM wants it. The goal, of course, is to find great players, but it goes deeper than that. It’s about finding players who fit the culture of what this organization is trying to build.
Pace referred to something called a “Bears Box” a couple of years ago. A small box filled with names of players who seemed to fit everything the team was looking for in a player. He didn’t exactly elaborate on how the box itself was formed though and most people forgot about it.
Now Adam Jahns of The Athletic shed a little bit more light on the subject, offering some details about how Pace has organized his search from year to year.
“Pace has five characteristics that he wants his scouts and staff to identify in players. If a prospect meets all five, he gets a Bears marker on the draft board. Trubisky, for example, got one. (And no, we don’t know what these characteristics are. Yet.)”
Chicago Bears grading scale can be extrapolated by examining Trubisky
While we may not know what the exact traits are for this Chicago Bears grading scale, it may be possible to assess what they likely could be by looking at Trubisky himself. Namely, what stands out about him both mentally and physically and see which make sense as things Pace would see as top priorities for a draft pick.
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Here is a list of five traits that stand out the most:
- Athletic
- Work ethic
- Intelligent
- Leader
- Clean background
Pace’s history as a GM clearly shows he is always on the lookout for unique athletes at any position. That one is easy. Work ethic is also something that stands out with the top players on this new roster with Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, Danny Trevathan, Anthony Miller, and others all shining through.
Intelligence is absolutely vital to playing at a high level in the NFL. Jimmy Johnson the former head coach always loved to say, “Hit me in the head with a hammer the next time I take a dumb guy.”
Trubisky has established himself as a major leader both on and off the field. The same goes for guys like Eddie Jackson, who they also traded up for that year. Then there’s the clean background. This one is the biggest guess mostly because the Bears have avoided players with off-the-field issues.
A perfect example is last year. They had two different shots at LSU pass rusher Arden Key last year with a glaring need at the position. Word was he did a stint in rehab while in college and came back overweight when finished. That’s two boxes right there. Key eventually went to Oakland and has done little thus far in his career.
Safe to say the grading scale, whatever it is, has served them well thus far.