Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace often went out of their way to misdirect the media and fans regarding the Chicago Bears’ intentions in the NFL draft each year. They seemed to delight in the espionage of the job even if it didn’t offer nearly the advantage they thought it did. While revealing specific prospects is obviously not happening, new GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus are considerably more forthright with what they’re looking for.
Experts are all over the map when predicting what the Bears will do in the upcoming draft. So many different names have been projected or mocked to them in the past month alone. It could literally go in a hundred different directions. So Eberflus decided to help clarify the situation. He appeared on Bears All Access with Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, and Jim Miller to talk about his new job and what is ahead for the team. He was eventually asked what types of players he and Poles will be seeking later this week.
The coach put it all into perspective with a single word: speed.
Speed isn’t everything in the NFL but make no mistake. It isn’t a coincidence that many of the most successful teams in the league often feature tons of it on their roster. The previous three Super Bowl champions in the Chiefs, Buccaneers, and Rams exhibited various speed forms. Having a lot of players with it allows for more big plays on offense and the ability to prevent more big plays on defense. That is the essence of the modern NFL. Whichever team has more big plays than the other teams usually wins the game.
It is nice to see Eberflus have a clear vision for what he wants. He understands the necessities of football. This should make it easier for the Bears to set their draft board. By prioritizing speed, it allows them to narrow the focus on which prospects they’ll see as ideal fits.
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Matt Eberflus will have plenty of options in 2nd round.
With several positions of need on the table, the Bears could go in any number of directions. Wide receiver is an obvious one. Christian Watson of North Dakota State and Calvin Austin III of Memphis ran in the 4.3 range at the scouting combine. They can fly. Offensive guard Cole Strange of Tennessee-Chattanooga ran an impressive 5.02 at 6’5, 310 lbs. An interior pass rusher is a significant need too. Perrion Winfrey of Oklahoma had a great Senior Bowl and then ran a 4.89 at the combine.
So there should be no shortage of intriguing options for Matt Eberflus and the rest of the brass. It comes down to the other attributes outside of the speed. Guys will also need to show they have the intelligence, toughness, and work ethic necessary to survive on this team. The standards are going to be high.
Eberflus seems to think they already have some templates on the roster.
Cody Whitehair at guard is one. Darnell Mooney at receiver is another. Roquan Smith is an obvious one at linebacker. One can imagine those profiles will be what the Bears seek when they finally go on the clock Friday night.
