It is less than two weeks to go before the NFL draft kicks off in Green Bay on April 24th. The Chicago Bears are finishing up their private visits with top prospects. By now, their big board is likely nearing completion. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson should have a pretty good idea of who will be available at 10th overall and who they want. Every expert has their opinion on who it could be. In situations like this, it might be a good idea to zoom out and maybe see what the majority says.
NFL Mock Draft Database compiles mock drafts from every expert across legacy and social media. They have something called a Consensus Mock Draft that compiles the results of every mock they have and lists the top 32 picks based on the most popular outcome. There are some no-brainers like Cam Ward to Tennessee (99%), Travis Hunter to Cleveland (57%), and Mason Graham to Jacksonville (73%). So what about the Bears? It’s not the first name you’d think of.
Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks appears to be the choice. GM Ryan Poles has said left tackle is a position they’re hoping to add competition for. Banks is among the most experienced in this draft. However, only 13% of people see him as a pick. That is by far the lowest percentage of any team in the top 10 and tied for the lowest in the top 22. Translation? Nobody knows what the Bears will do.
The Chicago Bears seem to have everybody guessing.
A month ago, it was easy to pinpoint which direction they were looking. They had serious needs along the offensive and defensive lines. Then in the space of a few days, that changed. Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, Drew Dalman, Grady Jarrett, and Dayo Odeyingbo all arrived to bolster the line of scrimmage. Just like that, the slate was wiped clean. The Chicago Bears didn’t have any glaring need to focus on in mock drafts. Everything from left tackle to running back, tight end, edge rusher, and even cornerback has been projected. More than ever, it feels like their decision will be almost entirely decided by who is on the board when they’re on the clock.
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Many hope it won’t be Banks. Despite his success at Texas, many experts don’t see him as even the second-best left tackle in the draft. His pass protection has significant holes in it, and his technique is still sloppy despite three years of experience. The Bears should be able to do better than that.
My hope is 3 QBs go before 10. Somebody needs to trade up for Sanders and the Saints need to hedge their QB bet by taking Dart. Probably won’t happen but it sure would be nice.
If stuck at 10 i can see Banks being the choice. He can play right away which too many prospects on OL & DL can’t. If he doesn’t pan out at LT by next spring he can still be a LG. He needs coaching and once Jones is ready Banks can get a ton of it after getting his feet wet. Hard to say if we can trade back. In this draft you want 3 picks from 18-28. Still, we could see some strange choices in the 4 spots ahead of Chicago that totally jogs everyone’s boards.
Like I have been saying since this shit started in December: offensive guard. If Banks can keep QB1’s jersey clean enough to eat off of for four quarters, then run up there and pick him.
Graham or Campbell at 10, maybe Membou. Otherwise, trade back, get an extra pick, grab OL and DL, then hit other positions.
This Draft has several options in the trenches to build around. Jones and Thuney could be somewhere else next season. If you don’t plan for that possibility, you’re not doing your job.
Gordon just signed a 3/$40 extension