Bears GM Ryan Poles Just Cast Doubt On A 1st-Round D-Line Pick — Here’s Why

All that most people have talked about for several weeks is the Chicago Bears taking defensive line help in the 1st round of the upcoming draft. All you have to do is follow their free agency moves. They added a starting safety, a starting linebacker, two possible starting left tackles, and a starting center. Three defensive tackles were signed, but all are backups, and no edge rusher was brought in. One would think Bears general manager Ryan Poles has the defensive front circled for that 25th overall pick.

However, from the way he spoke on the Hoge & Jahns podcast, it didn’t sound like someone considering that possibility. Poles has always been candid about the Bears’ projected needs in a draft. He admitted offensive tackle was a focus in 2023, and quarterback was in 2024. Yet when given the opportunity to do the same this year, he steered away from it. Poles stated that he has no plans to force the issue at the defensive line, even though it’s a need. He is focused on taking the best players.

“You look at the draft, when I’ve been here, we’ve taken the right mentality and taken the best available. That’s been very offensive-centric and I think that’s paid off for us. We got an All-Pro tackle (Darnell Wright) and Colston’s going to be All-Pro tight end. So, we’ve done some really good things there. It just hasn’t lined up to be defensive line…..I think the biggest mistake you can make is forcing something just because that’s what you need.”

Ryan Poles doesn’t sound optimistic about his options at #25.

If he were, he would’ve happily discussed the possibility. Instead, he said, without directly stating it, that it is likely the Bears will pick a different position. He’s not entirely wrong in his assessment. In 2023, the Bears opted for Darnell Wright with the 10th overall pick. They famously passed on Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter because of serious character concerns. Their other notable options were Lukas Van Ness, Will McDonald, and Calijah Kancey. It is safe to say they made a good decision.

Last year was the same. They went with Colston Loveland over Mykel Williams, Kenneth Grant, Jalon Walker, and Walter Nolan. It’s early, but that looks like another good decision. The one area where there is room for debate is 2024. Taking Caleb Williams at #1 was a foregone conclusion and the right decision. That said, the #9 pick for Rome Odunze might’ve been Poles’ big missed opportunity.

This is not to say Odunze was a bad pick, but it can be argued that the Bears could’ve landed a defensive line building block at that spot.

Poles might be right about his chances at #25.

Projections are always tricky because it is hard to gauge how other NFL teams evaluate players. Based on information available, most believe around five or six defensive linemen could go in the first 20-24 picks. That will put Ryan Poles in an interesting spot. Would he be content taking what could be the sixth or seventh-best defensive lineman on the board over, say, the third-best offensive tackle or second-best safety? Remember this strategy worked before. Wright was the second offensive lineman off the board. Williams was the first quarterback. Loveland was the first tight end.

Aiming at the less plucked positions is a sound strategy that hasn’t steered them wrong yet. Poles seems determined to stick to that approach next month. If the board falls in a way where a smaller number of defensive linemen are selected, he will feel comfortable going that direction. From the way he’s talking, it doesn’t sound like he’s counting on it. SM was recently informed that the Bears aren’t feeling great about their chances of landing a true difference-maker. That is why they’ve been heavily scouting other positions.