The Chicago Bears understand the importance of this upcoming NFL draft. Given how lacking in impact their offseason has been thus far, their best chance to truly boost their roster starts on April 29th. If they can deliver a strong three days in Cleveland, then GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy might be able to save their jobs beyond 2021.
Normally in such situations, people talk about best-case scenarios. Who are the players that the Bears would be most fortunate to have fall to them at #20 overall? There are a number of names fans probably have their hearts set on. So rather than bark up that tree again, maybe it’s time to address the other side of the coin.
What about worst-case scenarios? Players that have merits of their own but for various reasons represent considerable risks. Risks that the Bears have been burned by in the past.
Chicago Bears need to avoid these names in the 1st round
Offensive tackle: Stone Forsythe, Florida
Matt Miller of ESPN just recently pointed out that offensive tackle could be a prime target for the Bears at #20. If this is true, good on them. They haven’t taken an offensive lineman in the 1st round since Kyle Long in 2013 and a tackle since Gabe Carimi in 2011. They’re overdue. With Charles Leno and Germain Ifedi operating on the last year of their respective deals? It makes perfect sense.
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One prospect gaining a ton of momentum in draft circles over the past month is Forsythe. It isn’t hard to see why. He’s a human mountain at 6’8, 307 lbs with 34-inch arms. Teams love his natural ability in pass protection. So why should the Bears be wary of taking him that early? There are serious questions about his run blocking. Not to mention his struggles handling speed off the edge. Some have him rated as a 3rd round prospect for these reasons alone.
Wide receiver: Terrace Marshall, LSU
If there is one position group that is in serious flux at the moment for the Chicago Bears, it’s wide receiver. Allen Robinson is back but only on the franchise tag. Anthony Miller could be traded in the near future. Javon Wims may not make the team this year. The only long-term option they seem to have at that position is Darnell Mooney. Adding more talent early isn’t a hard sell at all.
Marshall has plenty of traits to get people excited. He’s got 6’3 size, solid speed, and proved to be a big threat in the red zone with 23 touchdowns over his final two years at LSU. Yet when watching the tape, there are warning signs. Marshall doesn’t seem to play with urgency. Physical corners get the better of him too often. He has occasional drop issues. This sounds like a player content leaning on his talent rather than working hard to be the best he can be.
Cornerback: Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
The Bears were hoping to avoid cornerback becoming an issue this year but the salary cap made it inevitable. With no other option, they released Kyle Fuller last month. Just like that their best defensive back was gone, leaving a major void at the position. They did sign Desmond Trufant to help stop the bleeding but it’s clear the position, in general, is much weaker than it was last year.
Lots of mock drafts have projected Farley to Chicago. It makes sense on the surface. He’s 6’2 and a physical freak who played his best football last season with four interceptions and 12 passes defended in just 10 games at Virginia Tech. So what’s the issue? Farley also underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. Anybody who has followed the NFL for long enough knows that players who enter the league with back problems tend to not stop having back problems. Farley is damaged goods.
Quarterback: Trey Lance, North Dakota State
It is a possibility the Chicago Bears will trade up in the 1st round for a quarterback. The reasoning why is easy enough to understand. Andy Dalton is the guy for now but he’s operating on a one-year deal. The team has no long-term option on the roster at present. Adding somebody who could possibly learn behind the veteran isn’t a terrible plan. It comes down to who fits that profile the best.
Most will say Lance is the obvious choice. He shouldn’t be. In terms of physical talent? Lance has the goods. Solid size and build, a strong enough arm, and some of the best running ability in the class. Yet the kid only started one season against FCS competition. He also threw just 318 total passes in his college career. Mitch Trubisky threw 572. Not to mention he doesn’t throw deep too often and isn’t very good at it anyway. The kid is a project with a number of red flags.