Right now, it’s an absolute mystery who the Bears will be selecting at #8 overall in the NFL Draft on April 26th. It’s an even greater mystery which players will be there for the Bears to select. Will they have to “reach” for a player? Or will a player slide far enough for them to grab an elite talent?
According to Peter King, a writer for Sports Illustrated, a scenario is developing that could impact the Bears draft strategy in a huge way.
Up to this point, the expectation is that the Cleveland Browns are going to take a QB at #1 overall and that the Giants will take either a defensive player or stud running back, Saquon Barkley. The expectation has also been that Sam Darnold is a lock for that #1 selection.
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However, recent news came out that John Dorsey (Cleveland Browns GM) is zeroing in on a different strategy.
Josh Allen is a polarizing QB prospect out of Wyoming. Arguments can be made for his inaccuracy, poor footwork and decision-making, but there’s no doubting the cannon this guy has for an arm. He also presents the highest ceiling of all the signal-callers in this year’s draft. King is now reporting that Dorsey is zeroing in on taking Allen at #1 and Barkley at #4 overall.
"Friend of John Dorsey" predicts #Browns take Josh Allen at 1 and Saquon Barkley at 4. Ultimate Football Guy draft: https://t.co/lMeSaPlrOF
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) April 2, 2018
This rumor proceeds to throw mock drafts all out of sync. The Giants have been rumored that the only QB they would take in this draft would be Darnold, so now an interesting situation presents itself where we see QB’s go with the first two picks. We know the Jets are taking a QB because of their trade up with the Colts and Saquon should go #4 to Cleveland.
The Bears’ hope of landing an elite player hinges on the Denver Broncos decision in this situation. Should they choose to go QB with a player like Baker Mayfield, because of the run on QB’s, there are now some elite players available that the Bears would be dying to grab.
Bradley Chubb and Quenton Nelson are still on the board with two picks between the Bears and the Broncos selection. If the Colts want an elite offensive line to protect Andrew Luck, which they’ve neglected for years, it’s very realistic to see them grab a guy like Quenton Nelson (guard from Notre Dame).
LG Quenton Nelson had one of the most impressive blitz pickups I've ever seen. Crazy awareness pic.twitter.com/Grhk1dk7CB
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) September 10, 2017
The Buccaneers are now on the clock and they just traded for Jason Pierre-Paul, which puts the likelihood of them drafting Chubb at a minimum. They could still choose to go Edge Rusher, but their Safety position is abysmal. A player like Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James should be very high on their draft board.
This now means that Chubb fell right into the Bears lap at #8 overall and fulfills their biggest need on the roster. An elite player comes to Chicago because the cards fell just right.
This poor QB for FSU must have saw his life flash before his eyes. #BradleyChubb pic.twitter.com/R86qyGBkkr
— Dustin Fox (@DustinFox37) March 28, 2018
With all that being said, the possibility also remains that the Colts select Chubb at #6 and the Buccaneers still select a safety at #7, which means that Nelson would be available for the taking for the Bears.
Who would you rather see in a Bears uniform between the two? Chubb or Nelson?
