The pomp and circumstance of the NFL draft returns on Thursday and it will all be turned up a notch or two considering this year’s draft takes place in Las Vegas. Chicago Bears fans won’t have to worry about their team having a pick in the first round once again thanks to the old regime of GM Ryan Pace’s penchant for wheeling and dealing. The trades for Khalil Mack, Mitch Trubisky, and Justin Fields have left the Bears bereft of a first round pick far too often these past few years. New Bears GM Ryan Poles did what he could to try and recoup a first round pick when he traded away Khalil Mack earlier this offseason but was only able to acquire 2nd round picks in the deal. All that being said what should the Bears be looking for with their currently 2 2nd round picks?
The most logical way for the Bears to go with their 2 2nd round picks is to shore up some holes on the offensive and defensive lines. The offensive line has been a problem for the Bears for years under old GM Ryan Pace and considering new GM Ryan Poles is a former D1 offensive lineman he knows just how important the position is. The more talent you have protecting Justin Fields the more of his talent he will be able to show off. As for defensive line it is not a glamorous position but due to new head coach Matt Ebeflus’s 4-3 defense as opposed to the previous 3-4 defense the Bears will need more depth upfront defensively. Defensive tackle is the most glaring need with Akiem Hicks gone and Eddie Goldman not showing a whole lot upfront last year for the Bears. I know fans want sizzle in maybe an explosive WR but in order to sizzle you need a quality steak first and the meat is provided by your line play. This is a deep WR class in the draft this year and an opportunity to draft one will present itself at some point. In the interim however the Bears would be smart to build from the inside out.
The NFL draft will air on various networks including ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network starting Thursday night with the first round. The 2nd and 3rd rounds will be aired on Friday night and rounds 4 through 7 will air on Saturday afternoon. The Bears first pick is 39th overall, 7th overall in the 2nd round.
