First, the dangerous information: the Bears solely have 5 draft picks this 12 months, with none increased than the No. 87 choose.
Now, the excellent news: that’s the place Ryan Pace has made his paycheck. In his 4 drafts at basic supervisor, Pace has drafted two Pro Bowl gamers (security Eddie Jackson and working again Tarik Cohen) and two gamers who began for a number of seasons earlier than departing (security Adrian Amos and working again Jordan Howard) within the fourth spherical or later.
“They’ve done a good job identifying really good Day 3 players,” ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. stated.
Pace should do the identical later this month. Here’s what a profitable draft would appear to be:
Round 3 (No. 87 total): A working again. The Bears like Penn State’s Miles Sanders, whom Kiper considers the third-best working again within the draft, however he may not be round after they choose. Bears coach Matt Nagy labored out Ohio State working again Mike Weber. Other choices embody Iowa State’s David Montgomery, FAU’s Devin Singletary, Texas A&M’s Treyveon Williams, Notre Dame’s Dexter Williams and Washington’s Myles Gaskin.
The Bears might discover worth by selecting Stanford’s Bryce Love or Oklahoma’s Rodney Anderson, whose knee accidents will trigger them to fall within the draft.
“This is a year where you can find running backs in the third-to-fifth rounds,” Kiper stated.
Round 4 (126): Help outdoors. The Bears introduced again Aaron Lynch to again up Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd, however they may nonetheless use younger depth to problem Kylie Fitts and Isaiah Irving. Keep a watch on two Mid-American Conference outdoors linebackers: Eastern Michigan’s Maxx Crosby and Akron’s Jamal Davis.
“Edge guys, there’s going to be some depth,” Kiper stated.
Round 5 (162): A good finish. With Zach Miller unlikely to play once more, the Bears have solely three tight ends on their roster. Kiper has circled San Diego State’s Kahale Warring as a Day Three sleeper. The 6-5, 252-pounder has room to develop. Before his highschool mates satisfied him to strive soccer his senior 12 months, he had by no means even performed catch. He’s versatile sufficient to slot in Nagy’s offense, however might he be a keen blocker?
Round 7 (222): Cornering the market. The Bears are skinny behind beginning cornerbacks Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara and Buster Skrine. Veteran Sherrick McManis performed slot nook late final 12 months, however his worth comes totally on particular groups. If the Bears view any remaining cornerbacks as an improve over Kevin Toliver, they may draft one right here, and even earlier. If they don’t discover a cornerback they like, they may pivot to an offensive lineman.
Round 7 (238): The elephant within the room. If you’re going to draft a kicker, you do it right here. The Bears determine so as to add to their kiddie kicking corps, which options two gamers, Redford Jones and Chris Blewitt, who’ve by no means even made it by means of an NFL coaching camp.
The Bears might eye Utah’s Matt Gay, who has maybe the strongest leg within the draft, or LSU’s correct Cole Tracy.
“Of course they have to find a placekicker at some point,” Kiper stated. “I think, this year, there are some interesting guys.”