With the 2020 NFL Draft just one week away, NFL clubs across the country, including the Chicago Bears, are finalizing plans and strategies for the three-day affair that will welcome in a slew of new players.
But those plans don’t always pan out like teams would like. That’s just the name of the game, and even the best draft experts can’t predict how the chips will fall.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter and Lance Zierlein decided to pretend that’s not the case as they pinpointed the ideal top two picks for each club, including the Bears.
It’s no secret that the Bears have a number of needs on offense and defense, including offensive line and defensive back. Reuter and Zierlein believe that Chicago’s ideal scenario would involve bringing in Michigan offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz with the 43rd pick and Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn with the 50th selection.
Chicago is without a first-round pick again this year due to the trade for sack artist Khalil Mack. Fortunately, they have a couple second-round picks, including one from the Raiders in the Mack deal, that they can use to address two major areas of need: center and safety. Ruiz is an athletic player who has the football intelligence to step into the starting role on Day 1. Chinn’s size and hitting ability will allow him to play in the box when Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson is in centerfield, while his overall athleticism will enable him to handle deep coverage duties and work in the slot.
It’s more of an expectation that Chicago will address the offensive line in this draft, and Ruiz would be a player that you could plug in from Day 1. Ruiz has lined up at center for the last two seasons with the Wolverines, but he’s capable of playing either left or right guard. The Bears have a vacant right guard spot to fill with Kyle Long’s retirement, and Ruiz could certainly occupy that role.
The Bears also have a starting strong safety spot up for grabs opposite Pro-Bowler Eddie Jackson. Chinn has been someone that the Bears have shown interest in, having met with him twice this pre-draft process. Chinn’s stock has risen since his performance at the Senior Bowl, and he’s someone that would be a great fit opposite Jackson.
