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The Chicago Bears should NOT draft a QB in the first round

By William "Wild Bill" Ingalls

Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) with the ball as Citadel Bulldogs linebacker Myles Pierce (50) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) with the ball as Citadel Bulldogs linebacker Myles Pierce (50) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Bears are destined to draft a quarterback in the first round. However, the Bears will benefit more from avoiding using their first round pick on a quarterback.

The Chicago Bears aren’t just in quarterback limbo, but they are lost as a franchise. While Ryan Pace has done a good job gathering talent, the Bears still have numerous roster holes. The quarterback position may currently drive the NFL, but Chicago can fill out their roster more by avoiding a first round quarterback.

Simply put, the Chicago Bears won’t be competing for a Super Bowl next season. Yes, there are some talented pieces to the team, but there are plenty of roster holes other than quarterback. For starters, Chicago’s best cornerback is a 30 year old Tracy Porter. Porter may have revitalized his career in Chicago, but true playoff teams would torch him.

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It’s not a stretch to believe that Tracy Porter is the only Chicago corner that another NFL team would want on their roster. What about tight end? Aside from an injury prone Zach Miller, Chicago’s tight ends account for an entire 23 yards of offense this season. The offensive line? Ted Larsen is the only reserve lineman who started single game last year.

So the Bears have as many holes as Swiss cheese, how do they fix it? The draft is a major component of the solution, but so is free agency.

Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Solution:

Keep in mind, I said that the Bears shouldn’t take a quarterback in the first round. That doesn’t mean that the Bears should avoid a quarterback completely. DeShone Kizer and Brad Kaaya are extremely talented prospects that should be available in round 2. Instead of using their projected third overall pick on a quarterback, they should trade down in the 2017 draft. Players like Quincy Williams (CB, Florida), Jamal Adams (S, LSU), and Malik Hooker (S, Ohio State) would all be valuable options who will go later in the first round. Every single spot in the first round of the draft has premium value. The Bears had to cough up a 4th round pick to move up two measly spots last year, imagine if they were to trade down 5 or more!

In regards to quarterback, the Bears will hopefully be able to get some kind of draft compensation for Jay Cutler. They should draft a quarterback in an early round, just not the first round. Additionally, the Bears should keep Brian Hoyer so the rookie will have time to develop. The additional draft picks will allow the Bears to be a more complete team by the time Chicago’s new signal caller takes his first meaningful snaps under center. Avoiding a quarterback in the first round is a major risk, but one that can turn around the Bears’ franchise for the better.

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