The Chicago Bears can’t be expected to operate in the draft as they have over the past three years. While GM Ryan Poles remains in charge, the team is breaking in a new coaching staff led by Ben Johnson. Poles has said the coaches will have a prominent voice in how the roster will be constructed moving forward. It is a safe assumption Johnson is considerably different as a talent evaluator from Matt Eberflus. That might be why it is unwise to make assumptions about how the top of the draft will unfold for the Bears in two months.
Insider Tony Pauline of Sportskeedia made that clear in his latest column. He acknowledged that the offensive line is an obvious area of focus for the Bears. However, he threw a wrinkle into the mix. The team will not be roped into selecting a player based purely on what position he plays. Poles and Johnson are committed to finding guys who fit what they want to do. If none of the offensive lineman available do that, they are prepared to shift their focus elsewhere.
Most, including yours truly, expect the Bears to take an offensive lineman with their first pick of the draft. In fact, in my post-Super Bowl mock draft, I had the team selecting Will Campbell of LSU. And while that is still a possibility, I’m told Chicago will take the player that best fits the system they intend to implement, so an offensive lineman is not an automatic. I’m also told Johnson will have a big say, though not the final say, on who the team ultimately selects.
This opens the door to several possibilities for the Chicago Bears.
If not an offensive lineman, the list of options at #10 narrows considerably. The most obvious direction would be a defensive lineman. They need another pass rusher to complement Montez Sweat, and many feel that this is one of the better defensive line groups in a long time. There is also the possibility they would consider Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Many see the Heisman finalist in the same vein as LaDainian Tomlinson—an absolute stud. Johnson loves to run the ball on offense, don’t forget.
There is even an outside chance they think about a tight end. Tyler Warren of Penn State is considered one of the top prospects in the entire class—a legitimate weapon in the passing game. If the Chicago Bears feel he can be a difference-maker, they may decide to go with him, even if they already have Cole Kmet. There is a strong probability that free agency will dictate how things unfold. One thing is clear. They won’t be pigeonholed into any singular direction.
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I am hugely in favor of trading down but I do not believe a trade partner will materialize. Can you can name a team that would trade up for Jeanty or Warren knowing the Bears likely would not take one of them with OL and DL needs? Also, with similar graded players from 10-50 why trade up? Most of the decision makers are not a lot dumber than Poles.
With this draft being so deep in linemen, plus free agency having more than a few choices to help bolster both lines, I think using the 10th on a skill position player who can make an immediate impact is a better use of the pick. If he is still there I think they would be fools to pass on Jainty.
Sorry Erik, for they know not what they do.
#10 taking a DL or RB Jeanty is smarter than taking an OL, if no trade down.
@FootballAtArlington1 are you not aware of the 1st amendment the US Constitution? Now that we’ve cleared that up, Erik is a hack. He pumps out article after article with zero substance, and pure speculation, day after day. He does this because he knows that Bears fans are extremely passionate about the team and it’s easy click$. Nothing but “top insider quotes”, lazy fluff “articles” and plagiarizing other sports writers is the norm for him. I’m willing to bet that most come here for the interaction in the comments, and not for his writing. I digress
Luapgnik- Just from what I’m reading it sounds like between 15–50. There isn’t much difference in the talent or the make up of the talent in that area. It’s very similar for such a wide number of pics. Which is why I’d be advocating for trading down a little bit and seeing what you can get from other teams. If you can score more pics in the second round or even the third round since their’d be a trickle down effect I would do that. That’s why I was so disappointed that Ian Cunningham did not go to be GM… Read more »