The Chicago Bears love to say they go into every draft seeking the best players available. It’s a nice philosophy to live by, but it’s also kind of not true. Look back at every top draft pick GM Ryan Pace has made since 2015. The majority of them were filling a top need for his team. Kevin White was an obvious choice to plug the void left by Brandon Marshall at wide receiver. Leonard Floyd was hoped to be what they lost in Julius Peppers. Mitch Trubisky was meant to replace Jay Cutler.
The list goes on. So why should Bears fans think it will be any different in 2020? They aren’t going to draft a quarterback, a defensive lineman, or an inside linebacker early. That’s because those positions appear in decent enough shape. No, Pace will be targeting a need with those two 2nd round picks. The big question is what position does he and his front office view as the most pressing need?
Almost everybody would assume it lay somewhere on the offensive side of the ball. Wide receiver? Offensive line? Tight end? All make sense. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune though thinks it’s a different case. He revealed his informed choice in his recent mailbag.
“If the Bears keep both of their second-round picks — or trade down but still pick twice in Round 2 — the top three positions of need are cornerback, wide receiver and offensive line. I would list cornerback as their greatest need, and you can interchange the other two depending on which prospects you can get.”
Chicago Bears are still steered by their defense
It’s so interesting that he makes such a point. The Bears have Kyle Fuller who is a Pro Bowler. Buster Skrine was solid in the slot last season. Are they really that nervous about the cornerback position that they view it as a pressing need? Well, when looking at the situation behind those two, it’s easier to understand. After releasing Prince Amukamara last month, the Bears don’t have any proven player opposite Fuller on the outside.
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Right now it appears to be a three-man competition for the spot between Kevin Toliver, Tre Roberson, and Artie Burns. Toliver is a former undrafted free agent who has limited playing experience to this point. Roberson emerged as a star in the CFL. He’s hoping that experience brings him more success in the NFL after a failed first stint back in 2017. Burns is a former 1st round pick who flamed out in Pittsburgh.
Not exactly a group that inspires confidence. Given how vital the defense remains to the Bears’ success in 2020, plugging that hole does make sense in context. Still, is it enough to override their need to fix the 27th ranked offense? That is debatable.
