Every team and every GM has different preferences when it comes to how they wish to construct a roster. Players at every position must have certain strengths above all else. Sometimes these can overlap with certain teams but it’s quite amazing how different they can also be. So what about the Chicago Bears? When looking at the upcoming NFL draft, what sort of priorities do they have from position to position?

That is what this piece will explore. Simple and straightforward. Every position group will be covered answering two questions. What key trait do the Bears look for at each one and which draft prospect best fits that particular trait? After doing the research, I came away with more than a few interesting connections. Some of which I didn’t see coming.

Feel free to agree or (more likely) disagree.

Chicago Bears prioritze these traits at every position

Quarterback: Decision-making

Matt Nagy himself said decision-making is a top priority for him in any quarterback he evaluates. Does he protect the football? Does he make the correct read and throw it to the right target depending on coverage? It’s not about whether the quarterback makes mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. It is whether he avoids making dumb mistakes. Something Mitch Trubisky failed to do way too often. That is why he isn’t the starting quarterback anymore.

Best fit: Trey Lance, North Dakota State

If the Bears are seeking a quarterback that outright refused to put the ball in harm’s way, it was Lance. Across his 17 games as a starter at North Dakota State, he threw one interception. Just one in 318 passing attempts. Even if it was against FCS competition, that is rather remarkable. Carson Wentz threw 14 interceptions in his two seasons as a starter by comparison. There are reasons to be wary of Lance but when it comes to decision-making, he sits atop the mountain.

Running back: Vision

It didn’t start out this way, but over time the Bears began to prioritize runners who saw the field well. This enabled them to see where the holes were going to be and identify daylight. A necessity in zone-blocking systems since there is no pre-determined hole. Jordan Howard and David Montgomery are the two prime examples of this. While not premier athletes, they excel thanks to a mixture of strength, natural feet, and especially vision.

Best fit: Michael Carter, North Carolina

Teams are going to see his 5’8 size and move right along. Yet his final year of college and the Senior Bowl both proved this kid is a really good runner. His eyes are razor-sharp, telling him where the lanes are going to be and also where he needs to pick up blitzers. He’s rarely caught off guard. Combine that with deceptive power and good speed? He’ll be a productive player for somebody smart enough to take him.

Wide receiver: Route-running

It didn’t start out this way. The Chicago Bears seemed more focused on pure athleticism in the beginning. However, priorities began to shift once Matt Nagy arrived in 2018. Now the team puts a much greater emphasis on route-running skill. That is what often determines the successful receivers in the NFL. Anthony Miller had the ability and it showed at times over the past few years but his attention to detail has held him back. Darnell Mooney proved it often as a rookie last year too.

Best fit: Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State

While he may not have pure speed, Wallace constantly stood out in college as the most reliable receiver on the football field. Why? He found ways to get open. His route-runner was a constant strength for him along with body control, strong hands, and leaping ability. His competitiveness radiates on every snap. When the ball is in the air, it’s his. That kind of mentality will gravitate to the Bears.

Tight end: Size and hands

Are you big? Can you catch? Then the chance is the Bears are going to have a pretty high grade on you. Just look at the tight ends they’ve drafted. Adam Shaheen and Cole Kmet. Both fit the profile to perfection. Shaheen stood 6’6 and was a prominent pass target coming out of Ashland. Kmet is 6’6 and was an underrated target for Notre Dame. Never mind the Bears handing an expensive contract to Jimmy Graham who is also big and can catch.

Best fit: Tony Poljan, Virginia

At 6’7, he more than fits the size profile. Poljan actually started out as a quarterback before making the transition to tight end. So he sees the field as a QB, which gives him certain advantages. That is why he was productive at two different schools. He certainly has a capable pair of hands to prove it. He doesn’t come across as explosive but if the Bears are seeking another red zone weapon? This is their guy.

Offensive line: Mobility

While power still has a place in offensive line play, this is the era of the blockers who must be able to move. They need to handle speed off the edge while also getting out into space and picking off linebackers or defensive backs. To their credit, the Bears have been on top of this movement almost from the beginning. Cody Whitehair fit the profile perfectly in 2016 and so did James Daniels in 2018. Size and technique are important, but can you handle yourself in space?

After badly losing a pass rush rep to Miami's Quincy Roche yesterday, Alabama's Alex Leatherwood had something for him today. Drew praise from coaches for better hand usage on last day of practice.#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/Mh05Lq4Hcl

— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 28, 2021

Best fit: Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

People get on Leatherwood for a perceived lack of power and no finisher mentality.  This despite the guy being the anchor of an offensive line that just won the national championship and turned Mac Jones into a probable top 10 pick. This guy is long and athletic. He handles speed fine off the edge and routinely got out in space to block for star running back Najee Harris. With a few tweaks to his mechanics, he’ll be a 10-year starting tackle in the NFL.

Defensive line: Power

The nature of the 3-4 defense makes defensive line requirements a bit different. When it comes to their responsibilities, the three down linemen are required to stop the run first. This can often mean setting the edge or demanding double teams. That is impossible to do without a good degree of power. Eddie Goldman, Jonathan Bullard, and Bilal Nichols all had strength as key parts of their game. The same is true of Akiem Hicks.

Washington iDL Levi Onwuzurike playing 0-tech. Explodes into the reach block, reads the puller, stays tight through the gap, gets the TFL. That'll do. pic.twitter.com/jLGfU950oo

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) February 3, 2021

Best fit: Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

From a size point of view, Onwuzurike toes the line for what the Bears prefer. He’s 6’3 with 33-inch arms. Both aren’t idea but just good enough. The power though? He has it in abundance. He delivers a ferocious bull rush at times and can hold his own against double teams in the run game. As his technique improves, he has the look of somebody that will be an underrated member of any defensive line.

Linebacker: Instincts

Size and athleticism are important in any defense but the Bears have shown a consistent preference for linebackers who have a natural understanding of the game. They know where the ball is going before the snap, allowing them to head off running plays for minimal yardage or drop into zone coverage for an opportunistic interception. Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, and the recently departed Nick Kwiatkoski all offer prominent examples.

Best fit: Isaiah McDuffie, Boston College

Being the son of a coach, the work ethic and knowledge of the game are bound to be there for McDuffie and it shows up on tape. He knows where the ball is going a lot and is rarely caught off guard. Teams might knock him for his limited size but he’d fit well with what the Bears like to do. He can be an immediate help on special teams and with more time honing his tackling discipline might end up a starter down the line.

Cornerback: Physicality

Athleticism and speed are always important for a cornerback. Especially in today’s NFL. However, one key trait that the Chicago Bears seem to prefer over certain others is whether the guy can play physical. Not just in man coverage against receivers. Also as a tackler in the run game. Kyle Fuller? Bryce Callahan? Buster Skrine? Prince Amukamara? Jaylon Johnson? All have exhibited that particular trait.

Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu to the Steelers is a fit I love a lot.

Lemme introduce you guys to my personal CB3
pic.twitter.com/JYex0h34lH

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) March 19, 2021

Best fit: Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse

There is something pretty unique in the Melifonwu genetic structure because they breed some incredible athletes. Ifeatu is no exception. Big, long, and fluid. He is the total package from a talent standpoint. He can mirror receivers and has the speed to run with him. Yet one thing he never shies away from is delivering a hit. He’ll do it to receiver who catch the ball in front of him or to ball carriers who venture into his neighborhood.

Safety: Range

Ball skills and toughness are important to have for safeties but Pace has recognized the trends of the NFL are moving towards speed. That requires safeties who can cover lots of ground. They can’t afford to be restricted to a singular role down in the box. His draft picks and free agent signings both follow this theme. Adrian Amos, Eddie Jackson, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and Tashaun Gipson. All smart but most importantly fast.

Best fit: Jamar Johnson, Indiana

There is a lot to like about Johnson. Not only does he boast the athleticism to cover lots of space, but he’s also instinctive with good ball skills. He doesn’t shy about from being physical. This is a versatile player who can fit in almost any scheme. Presuming Gipson is only around for one more year, then Johnson make perfect sense as his eventual replacement.