At last month’s NFL owners meeting, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pauls explained why he’s fine with only having four picks in this year’s NFL Draft.
“If we don’t make any moves, I think we’ll end up with 25 picks over three years. That’s more than eight picks and it’s going to change a little bit,” he said.
He also traded picks for a veteran starter in this year’s draft. He took defensive end Montez Sweat in the second round, receiver Keenan Allen in the fourth round and starting center Ryan Bates in the fifth round.
All three players will play key roles during a season where the development of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams (presumptive No. 1 pick) supersedes everything else at Halas Hall.
The same cannot be expected from three rookies, especially the two selected on Day 3.
It also helps that the Bears have nine picks in next year’s NFL Draft, including two in the second round.
But will the Poles stick to it? Rumors are already circulating that the Bears are looking to move down from the No. 9 pick. That is, of course, if the team’s draft committee tells him to do so.
In addition to Williams, here are 50 players at various positions that the Bears could be interested in in this week’s draft, along with their rankings in Dane Brugler’s Top 300 rankings and some important questions.
1st place nomination
1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Key question: Who is the Bears’ No. 2 quarterback after Williams?
The Bears had no other quarterbacks at Halas Hall. They showed up in droves during the pro days of Jaden Daniels and JJ McCarthy, while a smaller contingent attended Drake Mays.
But my best guess would be McCarthy. The Bears should continue to be fans of Williams even after they select him. If four quarterbacks were drafted within the first eight picks, this number would favor the Bears at No. 9 considerably.
“Overall, McCarthy’s evaluation feels incomplete, making it even more predictive than usual, but his passing skills, pocket athleticism, and mental make-up have all improved, and his NFL “This creates optimism for the future of the world,” Brugler wrote in The Beast. “While we expect some bumps along the way, he has the tools to be an NFL starter early in his career.”
even deeper
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The more demand there is on McCarthy, the better off the Bears will be in the draft. The ninth pick could also be a better option for a team looking to trade up. It’s not expensive enough to choose the top five. But there’s also an interesting scenario in which the Minnesota Vikings trade up for McCarthy and the Bears play the Chicago-area native twice a season.
“It’s a tough assessment because you can see him doing everything you want him to do and big quarterbacks need things to do, just in terms of volume,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. The numbers just aren’t there.” Recent conference call.
“Everyone I talked to who was in the pros said he threw better than any of the top quarterbacks. He’s got a great live arm. He’s got plenty of size, He’s still a growing guy. He’s got a big arm. He’s got something to hold on to, and he just has to have faith. In terms of whether to buy, there are some that do and some that don’t.”
Would the Bears pass on Washington receiver Roman Odunze if he is available at No. 9? (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
9th pick
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State University
3. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
5. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
6. Roman Odunze, WR, Washington
7. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
9. Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington State
12. Olu Fashanu, OT, PA
14. Dallas Turner, Delaware, Alabama
16. Byron Murphy, DT, Texas
Key question: How desperate are the Bears to find a pass rusher in this draft?
At the owners meeting, coach Matt Eberflus wanted everyone to know that pass rush help can come from the inside as well as the outside.
“The inside part is also something we need to focus on and it’s important that we do that,” he said. “A direct line to the quarterback.”
If the Bears desperately want Murphy as their future three-technique tackle, the best decision would be to keep him at No. 9 — not trade him back and hope he stays there.
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In Murphy’s case, the question for the Bears is whether they can ignore his less-than-ideal metrics. The Bears expected Garvon Dexter to be a good fit for the three-technique and drafted him in the second round last year. He is 6-6, weighs 310 pounds, and has 32 1/4-inch arms. Murphy is 6 feet tall, weighs 297 pounds and has 32 3/8 inch arms. However, Murphy’s lack of height could give him an advantage against some linemen.
“His destructive energy, both as a pass rusher and against the run, projects him to be an impact starter who can play shade-nose and three-techniques similar to Grady Jarrett,” Brugler wrote.
tradeback option
13. J.C. Latham, Otto State, Alabama
17. Talese Fuaga, Oregon State, OT
18. Graham Burton, C, Duke
20. Jared Verse, Delaware, Florida
22. Laiatu Ratu, Delaware, UCLA
23. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon State
24. Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma
26. Chop Robinson, Delaware, Pennsylvania
28. Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
32. Marshawn Kneeland, Delaware, Western Michigan
34. Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
35. Darius Robinson, Delaware, Missouri
Key question: Would the Bears still trade back if one of their top three receivers is available at No. 9?
It seems to depend on which teams are calling and what they are offering in terms of compensation. But as crazy as this may sound, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility.
Either Harrison, Nabors or Odunze will immediately improve the Bears’ offense this season and for Williams. However, the Bears still need help on offense and defense.
The Bears’ acquisitions of DJ Moore and Keenan Allen are examples of how teams can add quality receivers through trades. They also join a long list that includes Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, AJ Brown, Jerry Jeudy, and Calvin Ridley.
It can also happen with pass rushers. The Bears just did it with sweats. It wasn’t that long ago that the Bears acquired Khalil Mack from the Raiders.
It seems like finding good offensive linemen has become even more difficult during the lockdown. They need to draft them or sign them to big contracts in free agency.
even deeper
Questioning the Bears’ draft response: Is Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze the way to go?
2nd day options
47. Christian Haynes, OL, U.S.
50. Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
54. Malachi Coley, WR, Western Kentucky
56. Dominic Puni, OL, Kansas State
60. Mike Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
61. Andre Phillips, CB, Kentucky
65. Adisa Isaac, Delaware, Pennsylvania
68. Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
70. Cole Bishop, South, Utah
71. Braden Fisk, DT, Florida State
74. Jalin Polk, WR, Washington
76. Xavier Leggett, WR, South Carolina
78. Austin Booker, Delaware, Kansas
79. Kameron Kinchens, South, Miami
87. Kiran Amegaji, OT, Yale University
92. Brandon Dorus, DT, Oregon State
93. Devontez Walker, WR, NC State
94. Jonah Ellis, Delaware, Utah
105. Karen Block, S, University of Southern California
109. Tanner Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
111. Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
113. Cedric Van Plan-Granger, C, Georgia
117. Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
125. Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota
134. Gabe Hall, DT, Baylor
138. Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona State
159. JaQuan Jackson, WR, Tulane
172. Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
182. AJ Barner, TE, Michigan State
Key question: Can the Bears comfortably sit in the gap between the No. 9 and No. 75 picks?
This will test the patience of Polish, assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and others in the Bears’ draft room. The Bears will spend months scouting and will take players they like that could potentially fit with the team, but the Bears have no chance to do anything about it.
Sure, it would be helpful to have nine picks next year. The Bears will once again have the opportunity to load up on a large draft class.
Or they could use some of that future money back into this year’s draft and target players they covet.
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(Top photo of Byron Murphy: Ricardo B. Brazziell / USA Today)
