Nobody knows for certain what Ryan Pace is thinking. That is what continues to make him the most interesting and most terrifying GM for Chicago Bears fans. Sometimes that unpredictability has led to some truly inspired moments. The blockbuster trade for Khalil Mack is one such highlight. Then there is the downside such as his move up in the 1st round back in 2017 for Mitch Trubisky.
Nobody saw it coming because for most experts it made no sense. Taking Trubisky was one thing, but giving up three additional picks for the privilege? That was the first sign that Pace had a fatal weakness. If he sensed a quarterback he wanted could slip from his grasp, he’d be willing to overpay to make sure that didn’t happen. One could argue it happened again last year with Nick Foles.
Now here he is. Back in the 1st round and needing a quarterback.
Could Pace do it all over again? Longtime NFL insider and analyst Pete Prisco of CBS Sports thinks so. He released his latest mock draft. It was filled with several surprises, but all paled in comparison to what happened at #20. There the Bears pull their second shocker in four years, grabbing Stanford quarterback Davis Mills. Prisco’s explanation? Hard to argue with.
“Hey, they have to get their long-term guy at some point. Andy Dalton could play this year and then they could go to Mills next season. Nick Foles isn’t the answer either. This might seem crazy, but this group traded up to get Mitch Trubisky.”
From a talent perspective? Mills is 1st round-worthy. He’s 6’4, boasts a strong arm, and can make several of the types of throws required to thrive in the NFL. He received a strong education in a pro-style offense at Stanford as well. So what’s the problem? Despite his talent, Mills is incredibly raw. He started just 11 games in his college career. Even less than Trubisky did for North Carolina. Not to mention Mills’ history of knee injuries. It would be an even bigger risk than four years ago if that were possible.
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The funny part is? Prisco would applaud it.
“This would be a great move for the Bears, but one that would shock the football world.
I am a big believer in Mills, who I think will be better than one or two of the top five quarterbacks. Mills could spend a year behind Andy Dalton and then take over next season. Let’s be real: Neither Dalton nor Nick Foles is the Bears’ quarterback of the future.”
Mitch Trubisky proves the Bears would absolutely do this
If Pace and head coach Matt Nagy like Mills as much as Prisco does, is it really that hard to imagine they’d ignore all the projections and just take their guy at #20? Remember that many had him as a borderline Day 2 pick who might go in the 3rd round. Only in the past couple of months has his stock risen to where most feel he goes somewhere in the 2nd round. Is it really so hard to imagine one team desperate for a QB throws caution to the wind and just takes him with their first pick?
One thing is for sure. Pace would have a hell of a time selling that to fans. Most of them study the draft a lot. They’re well aware of what the experts are saying about most prospects. Especially the quarterbacks. If people thought Mitch Trubisky was risky, this would be like leveling up. Not only does this guy have experience concerns but also health red flags too.
People would genuinely lose their minds.
If Mills is indeed the guy, the smart play would be to move down from #20 to acquire some extra picks first. This would help mitigate at least some of the risk, allowing Pace to fill out more of the roster with young, cheap talent. Mills has a lot of believers out there. Maybe the Bears are the team laughing when the dust settles this time around. They better hope so, or the jokes and jibes will be even worse than before.