The Chicago Bears aren’t going to let anybody in on how they’ll stack their draft board this year. Odds are it isn’t even set at this point. The scouting combine just began and free agency is still to come. A lot can change in the next month that will impact how they approach the draft proper. However, this hasn’t stopped rampant speculation around the league about what GM Ryan Pace may or may not have planned.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report wrote briefly on this subject in his most recent scouting notebook. From people he’s talked to both with the team and around the league, the belief is it’s going to be an almost offensively-exclusive draft for the Bears. Pace is going to do everything in his power to add more firepower and blocking to the 27th ranked offense.
“The Bears are limited on picks thanks to the Khalil Mack trade but have plenty of needs to attack with their eight selections (including a projected compensatory pick) spread out between Days 2 and 3. Offensive tackle, cornerback and tight end are pressing needs, according to scouts internally and those who study the Bears as pro scouts.”
Cornerback and tight end are not huge surprises. Prince Amukamara was just cut, so the Bears are without a proven starter opposite Kyle Fuller. As for tight end, Trey Burton was riddled by injuries in 2019 and nobody else was able to step up. The slightly bigger surprise is offensive tackle.
Chicago Bears might be looking beyond Leno and Massie
One would think the Bears would be more focused on finding a right guard at this point. Kyle Long retired, leaving that position in limbo with no clear starter. Both Charles Leno and Bobby Massie are expected back for 2020 at tackle. So why focus there? The answer is pretty simple. Both players struggled last season and are starting to get older. Combine that with what many see as one fo the best tackle classes seen in years? Yeah, it isn’t too hard to understand what the Bears are thinking.
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Their primary focus is on improving the offense with additional knowledge they have to make sure the secondary remains strong on defense. It might not be the flashiest approach but it’s logical and shouldn’t be too hard to execute. Those positions usually have value later in drafts, so Pace might be able to find himself one or two quality starters despite no 1st round pick.
