With the biggest wave of free agency done, the Chicago Bears have paused to take stock. GM Ryan Poles did some encouraging work over the past week. He added three new starting interior offensive linemen (Drew Dalman/Joe Thuney/Jonah Jackson), a starting defensive end (Dayo Odeyingbo), a blocking tight end (Durham Smythe), and an interior pass rusher (Grady Jarrett). According to Poles, these moves have opened up the entire draft board. Evaluations will be extensive over the next month as he and head coach Ben Johnson work to determine which direction to go.
Many experts believe these moves are a clear signal the Bears plan to add one of the top skill players in the 1st round. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren are the ones mentioned the most. However, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune pumped the brakes on that idea. He indicated on Twitter that because the Bears now have one of the highest-paid offensive lines in the NFL, they might be inclined to grab a young blocker early to give themselves proper sustainability in the long term.
The Chicago Bears face a difficult decision.
There is offensive line talent in this draft. That isn’t the issue. Many are concerned that every top name that could go in the 1st round has a red flag. Will Campbell of LSU has really short arms at 32 inches. Josh Simmons of Ohio State tore his patella tendon last season. Kelvin Banks of Texas has concerns about his leaky pass protection. Armand Membou of Missouri is on the shorter side and has only ever played right tackle, which is the one position the Bears don’t need.
Whichever direction they choose would come with risks. Teams do not prefer taking such gambles with a top-10 pick. This is why many feel the Chicago Bears brass will opt for the safer play of taking a Jeanty or Warren. They don’t have any glaring concerns and should be immediate contributors. Then again, Johnson and Poles are known for not being risk-averse. If they think one of those linemen can become a Pro Bowler in the NFL, they’ll weigh the odds and pull the trigger. At least, that is what Biggs is hinting at.
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Does Ben Johnson believe, and have faith in, the ability of his coaches to coach? If so, they can, and should take a skilled player who is already along with his development like Jeanty or Warren. I don’t disagree with Poles drafting players with “potential,” like other people here. But drafting any of them without a confirmed and proven ability to coach almost lost him his job. It was like getting the best recruits for college with grade school teachers who primarily manage kids’ play groups. IF Johnson focuses on development, coaching, scheming and play-calling, I would be happy with… Read more »
Draft O-line later in the draft. The amount of pro bowl and HOF lineman drafted in the 2nd round and later is staggering. Plus, they’ll have time to learn the game from some good veterans now.
Lol, another scoop by an insider! So far, the scoops would have been better used to scoop poop. For the most part, they’ve been way off the mark! So, after the draft, if we are all still alive, I’ll take an interest at that point. And if it’s worth it, go to a couple of games. Life is way too short to be so concerned about circuses. Our illustrious leaders would love all of us to be more concerned with the circuses than what’s about to happen to this country. As a proclaimed insider, if you keep naming people and… Read more »
I think now the Bears need to trade down, get more picks, draft Simmons, which I was against at the 10 spot earlier because of his injury, then pick up RB Johnson, then the best player format.
Jeanty on a trade up or trade down for additional picks. He changes everything.