College football is in full swing now. That means the Chicago Bears have begun preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft. They’re in a good spot. They have young talent and depth across much of the roster. Credit must go to GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson for that. They also have a full allotment of picks. So there won’t be any narrowed margin of error. The only thing that isn’t certain is what direction they go. Based on where the roster currently stands? It will likely be focused on the defense. If so, fans should get to know the name Quincy Rhodes immediately.
Defensive end was not addressed in any meaningful way this offseason. The Bears seemed intent on giving veteran Dayo Odeyingbo and promising former 5th-round pick Austin Booker a legitimate chance to establish themselves as quality wingmen alongside Montez Sweat. They certainly don’t have unlimited time to do so. Odeyingbo is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. Booker still hasn’t played a full season. Shemar Turner hasn’t returned from his torn ACL. Sweat is also in his 30s now.
They need an infusion of true young, front-line talent. No player screams their type more than Rhodes.
Quincy Rhodes is a Dennis Allen guy to the bone.
As much as we all would love to see the Bears target a genuine speed rusher to complement their array of power guys, that isn’t how this defense is constructed. Allen has a specific way he wants to build his units. He wants the interior guys to be quick and explosive while the outside guys are big, long, and powerful. That is why you get guys like Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner. Unfortunately, it hasn’t produced results. If the Bears do go hunting for more help in this draft, Rhodes has to be their target.
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If Allen is dead set on sticking to his usual profile, the Arkansas defensive end is the perfect compromise. At 6’6″, 277 lbs, he certainly has the massive frame the Bears defensive coordinator wants. He also has more than enough power to set the edge against the run. This masks underrated agility and closing speed for a man his size. Rhodes also displays natural instincts for rushing the passer, which is why he had a breakout season last year with 8 sacks in 12 games. Go watch his performance against Mississippi State to learn how quickly he can ruin your day.
The Bears may benefit from a deep 2027 class.
Right now, it looks like there will be several defensive linemen in the 1st round conversation. Quincy Rhodes is certain to climb boards if he puts together another strong season and couples it with a strong combine. That said, this feels like a player who might at least be somewhere in the range that the Bears will be drafting. One must presume they will sit anywhere from the late teens to the 30s. It all depends on whether they make the playoffs and go on a run. If they don’t, they will at least improve their odds of landing Rhodes.
Then again, he is talented enough and such a good fit that they may decide waiting isn’t an option. GM Ryan Poles has never traded up in the 1st round of the draft. He might break that streak next year. Rhodes is the kind of talent worth building around. It all depends on how many other teams see the same. Chicago seemed to get lucky when Dillon Thieneman slipped to #25 this offseason. Maybe they’ll get it again.
