Draft week is upon us, and we’re just days away from meeting the Bears’ 2020 draft class. Unlike last season, when it was best player available mentality, Chicago has several needs both on offense and defense that they need to tackle.
While no one can ever gauge what general manager Ryan Pace will do come draft time — which is exactly how he likes it — I have some suggestions for how Pace should address this 2020 NFL Draft.
Let’s take a look at four things Pace and the Bears need to do in the 2020 NFL Draft.
1. DO: Trade down
The one thing Bears fans certainly don’t want to hear is that Pace is trading draft capital to move up and draft someone in the first round. Something that he’s been known for in the past — with mixed results.
The Bears have just two selections in the first four rounds, which doesn’t leave them a lot to work with amid several roster concerns. While Pace has been prone to trading up to get his guy, we could see a change in the guard when it comes to trading draft capital.
Pace should try to trade one of those second-round picks to acquire additional picks — perhaps an extra selection in the third or fourth round that would allow them to nab a prospect that winds up falling in the draft — before their five selections in rounds 5-7. While Pace has had mixed results in the first round, Pace has found some gems in the later rounds.
That certainly sounds like it could be the case, as Brad Biggs reported Chicago is expected to try and trade back at least one — maybe both — of their second-round picks in order to gather additional picks.
2. DO: Address defensive backs early
While there are pressing concerns on offense — especially following a season where the Bears had one of the worst offenses in the entire NFL — it’s easy to focus solely on the offense’s concerns. The defense isn’t a concern on an offensive-inept squad, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be at the top of Pace’s list.
There will be two starting jobs in the secondary up for grabs during training camp, and the Bears must address the needs of cornerback and safety in this upcoming draft. And they shouldn’t wait. With two second-round picks, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Chicago target at least one defensive back — depending on prospects available
Chicago needs to replace cornerback Prince Amukamara, and this year’s draft has a deep cornerback group that the Bears could find his replacement. Players like Clemson’s A.J. Terrell and LSU’s Kristian Fulton might fall to Chicago in the second round. There should also be quality talent available on Day 3, where guys like Mississippi State’s Cam Dantzler and Oklahoma State’s A.J. Green could be available.
Then there’s a strong safety spot available opposite Eddie Jackson, and there are some guys Chicago has been eyeing as potential replacements for Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Southern Illinois’ Jeremy Chinn or Lenoir-Rhyne’s Kyle Dugger have been mentioned in conjunction with the Bears.
3. DO: Target multiple offensive lineman
Offensive line was one of several concerns for the Bears this offseason. They have a vacant right guard spot following Kyle Long’s retirement. While there are some candidates to win that job — including former first-round pick Germain Ifedi and former second-round pick Jason Spriggs — the Bears could get a top interior lineman prospect with one of their second-round picks. If someone like Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz, Louisiana-Lafayette’s Robert Hunt or Clemson’s John Simpson is available, the Bears should jump at them.
While the Bears are in need of a starting right guard this upcoming season, there are questions beyond just interior linemen. Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and right tackle Bobby Massie are locked up for the next couple of seasons, but the Bears could look to build for the future at tackle.
Considering the depth of this year’s tackle class, if Chicago can lock up a top tackle prospect — like Houston’s Josh Jones or USC’s Austin Jackson — they shouldn’t hesitate to take him. That includes some developmental guys in the later rounds, like North Carolina’s Charlie Heck or Oregon’s Calvin Throckmorton.
4. DO: Draft a quarterback in later rounds
Pace once said that he believed it was a good idea to add a quarterback every year. While he’s already done that by trading for Nick Foles, there are questions about Chicago’s quarterback situation beyond 2020. And the Bears should certainly target a quarterback in this draft.
If Mitchell Trubisky winds up being the guy, they’d likely extend him. If Nick Foles is the guy, they figure to lock him up long-term. But there’s a scenario where both Trubisky and Foles won’t be on the Bears roster beyond 2020 — if they let Trubisky walk and Foles opts out of his contract to hit free agency — which would leave Chicago without a quarterback in 2021.
Still, it would be a good idea for the Bears to explore drafting a developmental prospect in the later rounds. Guys like Washington State’s Anthony Morgan, Hawaii’s Cole McDonald or Florida International’s James Morgan would be worth a glance.
