With the 2020 NFL Draft upon us, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace will be bringing in a new crop of talent that he hopes will have a positive impact on this roster moving forward.
When you examine Pace’s draft history, it’s filled with some studs and some duds. Luckily, here, we’re going to be looking at the gems that Pace has drafted in his five years as Bears GM.
Let’s take a look at Pace’s five best draft picks, which include a pair of All-Pros and some playmakers on this Bears roster.
5. LB Roquan Smith (1st Round, 2018)
In just two seasons, Roquan Smith has shown the potential to become a cornerstone of this Bears defense at inside linebacker. And he could wind up being one of Pace’s best picks, when all is said and done. Smith had a solid rookie season — where he tallied 121 tackles, five sacks, five passes defended and one interception.
While he got off to a slow start in his sophomore year, he was playing some of his best football late in the season before a torn pec ended his year early. Last season, Smith notched 101 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed and an interception. Assuming Smith returns to form following his torn pec, he could be primed for a breakout season in 2020.
4. OL Cody Whitehair (2nd Round, 2016)
While there are concerns about Chicago’s offensive line, Cody Whitehair isn’t among them. Since joining the Bears in 2016, Whitehair has served as a versatile member of Chicago’s offensive line, and he looks to be a core member of the unit for the next few years.
Whitehair has played both left guard and center, when called upon, and his play warranted a second contract — a five-year, $51.25 million deal with $27 million guaranteed. Whitehair, who made the Pro Bowl in 2018, figures to resume his role as center, which he took over for James Daniels mid-way through last season, when they switched back to their 2018 positions.
3. RB Tarik Cohen (4th Round, 2017)
Tarik Cohen’s contributions on the Bears shouldn’t be overlooked. While he’s not your typical three-down back, he’s just the second All-Pro that Pace has drafted. Cohen, who made the Pro Bowl in 2018, is one of the NFL’s most dangerous weapons when he has the ball in his hands. Which is why he’s found his bread and butter in the punt return game. But he’s also proved to be a threat on offense.
Obviously, he’ll be looking to rebound following a down year in 2019, where he averaged just 4.4 yards per touch — a far cry from his 6.9 yards per touch in 2018. And with Cohen facing a contract year, expect him to rebound in 2020.
2. NT Eddie Goldman (Round 2, 2015)
Eddie Goldman remains one of the most underrated players on Chicago’s defense, as he takes care of the dirty work in the trenches on one of the league’s best defensive fronts. Goldman has easily been one of Pace’s best selections — and a vital member of Chicago’s ferocious defense.
After an impressive rookie season, where he tallied 4.5 sacks and 22 sacks before being limited by injury, he followed that up with 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 15 games in 2017. Goldman earned a well-deserved second contract from the Bears before the start of the 2018 season. And he’s proven to be worth every penny of the four-year, $42 million deal ever since.
1. FS Eddie Jackson (Round 4, 2017)
There’s no question that Eddie Jackson is Pace’s best selection in the five years he’s been in Chicago. It’s not even close. Jackson has impressive instincts and a nose for the ball that can’t be taught. Jackson is one of the best safeties in the league — and the Bears stole him in the fourth round.
Jackson has proven himself from the start of his young career. He started all 16 games as a rookie, where he tallied 73 tackles, six passes defensed, two interceptions and scored two defensive touchdowns. Jackson followed that up with an All-Pro season, where he notched 51 tackles, one sack, 15 passes defensed, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and three defensive touchdowns in 14 games in 2018.
While Jackson didn’t have quite the same impact at strong safety in 2019, he remained one of the league’s best safeties. With Jackson returning to centerfield in 2020, he’s expected to return to form.
