The Chicago Bears will be picking #20 overall in the upcoming NFL draft. Their first time back in the 1st round in 2018. It certainly comes with a lot of pressure for GM Ryan Pace. His free agency forays have been underwhelming thus far. Mostly depth moves with his two “splashes” being Andy Dalton and Desmond Trufant. Barring an unexpectedly bold move, it’s becoming clear Pace has to deliver a hit in the upcoming draft.
What fans don’t know is which position Chicago might target. Looking at the landscape of both the board and the Bears’ needs? It’s believed it will be one of four positions: quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver, or cornerback. All have valid reasons for being ranked so high. Quarterback because…well…obviously. Charles Leno and Germain Ifedi are the starting tackles and in the last year of their respective deals. Allen Robinson has no long-term extension and Anthony Miller is on the trade block. Last but not least, both Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine were released.
So which position are they most likely to target?
Perhaps a better way to answer this question is with another. Is there a position they shouldn’t target? After doing some research, it’s apparent which one they might want to avoid. That is an offensive tackle. Though a position of great necessity in this era of NFL football, the bottom of the 1st round hasn’t exactly yielded great results for teams drafting them. Here’s a list of names selected since 2015.
- Cedric Ogbuehi
- D.J. Humphries
- Garrett Bolles
- Ryan Ramczyk
- Isaiah Wynn
- Tytus Howard
- Kaleb McGary
- Andre Dillard
- Isaiah Wilson
Of that group, only Ramczyk managed to play at a top-tier level with an All-Pro nod. Bolles has developed into a solid starter as have Howard and McGary. The rest have largely been disappointments. Wynn and Dillard suffered health setbacks and Wilson proved to be a headcase. When looking at it through a Bears lens? It doesn’t get much better. In their modern history, they’ve selected three tackles in this area of the draft. Let’s just say it doesn’t read well.
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- Stan Thomas
- Marc Colombo
- Gabe Carimi
One could argue the Bears are cursed when it comes to late 1st round offensive linemen. Thomas was an outright bust. Colombo and Carimi saw their careers in Chicago beset by major injury setbacks. Kyle Long, who became a guard, started out really well when drafted 20th overall in 2013 but saw his career derailed by health problems too.
Don’t bank on the Chicago Bears going tackle at #20
Not necessarily because it isn’t a need. It is. More because it isn’t the DNA of the man in charge. Pace’s track record has remained pretty consistent during his tenure in Chicago. He doesn’t believe in targeting linemen with top picks. He’s always been more about skill position players. It’s been true since he arrived. Kevin White (WR), Leonard Floyd (EDGE), Mitch Trubisky (QB), and Roquan Smith (LB).
The highest he’s taken linemen is the 2nd round. Given the depth of this offensive tackle class, it’s a safe bet he’ll probably wait until then to grab one. He has no reason to doubt himself on this. Cody Whitehair and James Daniels turned into good football players. Eddie Goldman, his lone defensive line pick in that round, was also rock solid. It’s far more likely the Chicago Bears focus on either wide receiver or cornerback.
Unless they somehow find a way to nab a quarterback.
One reason for optimism? Pace has done a fairly good job with his highest picks in each of the past three drafts. Smith is a borderline All-Pro linebacker. David Montgomery cracked 1,000 yards rushing last season. Cole Kmet had a decent first season at tight end, emerging as a capable blocker and serviceable pass catcher. If that momentum holds, the Bears should end up with a solid player next month.