Chicago Bears draft rumors are inevitable this time of year. Four days remain until the action finally kicks off on April 23rd. Fans and media alike are speculating on what GM Ryan Pace has in store this years. He’s always managed to have at least one surprise up his sleeve. Will he finally go bland for the first time since 2015? Nobody can say for sure but there are plenty of people speculating on what he may or may not do.
So perhaps it’s a good time to address the biggest rumors out there. What they are and whether or not they’re based in likely fact or fiction. Everything from trade scenarios to position targets. An attempt to predict the unpredictable. If nothing else, it should give people a good idea of how to react when the actual action gets started.
Sifting through the Chicago Bears draft rumors
Fiction: Ryan Pace is looking to move into the 1st round
Look, this is Pace we’re talking about. Few GMs in the NFL love to move up in a draft more than him. He’s done it in the 1st round twice since 2016. Is really that much of a stretch to think he’d find a way into the top 32 this year? Of course not. However, even he has limits. This time it’s one of ammunition. The Bears have no picks before the 5th round once they use up their two 2nd round picks. So if they packaged them to get up into the 1st, they will have selected just one player in the first four rounds. Not ideal considering the core of this team is getting older fast.
Fact: The Bears are hoping to move back for more mid round picks
As stated above, the Bears are absent of 3rd and 4th round picks. Given the depth at several positions in this draft and how good Pace has been in the 4th round especially? It would make absolute sense for them to want to acquire one or two. Pace has traded down in the 2nd round three times during his tenure. He did it twice in 2016 and again in 2017. These moves eventually enabled Pace to jump up in the 4th round to grab Eddie Jackson. This undoubtedly would give him the confidence he can do it again. Obviously it comes down to if any teams are interested in moving up.
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Fiction: Release of Trey Burton means tight end is top priority
Will the Bears draft a tight end? The odds are good. However, to think Burton’s exit suddenly makes the position a must-address is wrong. There’s a reason Pace gave a lot of money to Jimmy Graham. They believe he can be their go-to target at that position, even if he is turning 34. Together with Demetrius Harris and a promising youngster in Jesper Horsted, they have a few pieces to work with. The general belief is the 2020 tight end class is among the weakest positions this year. Belief is the Bears will have much higher value at other spots like the offensive line, wide receiver, and defensive back.
Fact: They are going to draft a quarterback
Nothing is a guarantee. Pace said multiple times he’s always looking to draft a quarterback every year. Yet he’s only done it once in his career to this point. Why should we think it’s different this time? Namely because of necessity. The Bears seem situated at QB right now with Mitch Trubisky, Nick Foles, and Tyler Bray. That could change fast in 2021. Both Bray and Trubisky will be free agents. Foles could also opt to leave thanks to an option in his contract. The Bears have to find some long-term stability at the position, even if it’s a later round pick. They have five between the 5th and 7th rounds, so the odds are good.
