Ryan Poles said his primary goal during his first press conference. The words were clear and concise. “We’re going to build through the draft.” He wasn’t lying. After inheriting five picks from predecessor Ryan Pace, Poles turned that into 11 by the end of the 2022 draft, thanks to a series of trades. Now another deal with Philadelphia has netted the Chicago Bears an additional 4th round pick. Coupled with a possible 7th round compensatory selection, the team is looking at nine picks going into the 2023 draft.
People must understand how significant this could be for the franchise. When they took over, previous GMs declared their intent to build through the draft. Then they would immediately deal picks away for players or aggressive moves up the board. If that number holds, Poles will be the first to have more than 15 picks in his first two drafts in two decades.
- Ryan Poles – 19*
- Ryan Pace – 15
- Phil Emery – 12
- Jerry Angelo – 21
There is something to be said about stockpiling picks. Angelo’s first two drafts netted Alex Brown, Charles Tillman, Lance Briggs, Ian Scott, and Justin Gage. All became vital contributors to the eventual 2006 Super Bowl team. So there is an obvious logic to Poles’ approach. More ammunition equals more opportunities to land good players.
Ryan Poles is in an excellent position to turn this team around.
Think about where the Bears were in January. They finished 6-11 and were in complete disarray. Their locker room was deflated, and the coaching staff had worn out its welcome. Never mind that the roster was the oldest in the NFL, overrun with bad contracts. Poles set about cutting all the dead weight, overturning two-thirds of the depth chart, and clearing out cap space for next year. By rights, this team should be the worst in the league. Instead, they’re 3-4, the same record the 2021 Bears had.
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Only this time, the future is looking much brighter. Ryan Poles has eight draft picks and $125 million in cap space waiting for him next off-season. There is so much flexibility. He also seems to have found a quality head coach in Matt Eberflus, who has the team playing smart, high-intensity football. It’s hard not to feel good about the direction of this team.
Correction to my previous post. The Bears had 10 first round picks on the 85 team 9 of which played during the Super Bowl XX winning season…build through the draft!
Walter Payton HB
Dan Hampton DT
Al Harris DE Contract holdout.
Otis Wilson LB
Keith Van Horne T
Jim McMahon QB
Jim Covert T
Willie Gault WR
Wilber Marshall LB
William Perry DT
I’m old enough to remember the Bears of the 80’s and early 90’s. Those teams coached under coach Ditka from 84′ thru 91′ went 106-62-0. Won a Superbowl and made it to the playoffs 7 times. They completely dominated the NFC North and ate the Green Bay Packers (and rest of the division) alive! The Bears during that time were built through the draft. There were 10 first round picks on the 85′ Bears winning Superbowl XX team. It’s been done before and can be done again. Everything starts with the front office and coaching. I for one have faith… Read more »
Yes it is about the amount of picks. If you don’t have any you can’t trade up a few spots if there is a guy you really have conviction on. Instead, you use next year’s picks and then you are Ryan Pace. Stockpile picks and don’t waste next year’s picks.
i like building through the draft, but it’s not about the amount of picks.. if they are 4th rounders and lower, how many of those picks really make a difference or even make the team ?? this should be about either trading those picks for holes, or packaging them for higher picks and getting difference makers. picks mean nothing if they dont make the team and contribute to winning a super bowl..
Yup. Build thru the draft. Free agents are to fill holes to put your team over the top. Not fill the roster.