What Chicago Bears Draft Choice Tells Us About Idea of 2018

The NFL draft is a roller coaster ride for fans and “experts” alike, but one thing is for sure, you can tell what a team thinks of its chances in the upcoming season by how they play their cards on draft night.

Taking a look forward to the 2018 draft, I don’t want to attempt to project players, but rather talk about what each draft choice would indicate the mindset of the Bears is heading in to the 2018 season.

So without further adu:

With the #8 Overall Pick, the Chicago Bears select…

Chicago Bears

An Offensive Guard

Possible Players: Quinton Nelson

Likely Status in 2018: Starter

What does it say about the Bears:

This choice would clearly indicate that the team still views itself in a rebuild mode. The addition of Nelson, which would only be a marginal improvement over Josh Sitton for next season, shows that the Bears are clearly still playing the long game and are not considering themselves as a playoff contender for next season.

The Good:

This would be as steady a pick as you could possibly make. The bust rate for Offensive Linemen is miniscule compared to other positions, but it comes with the a cost.  Nelson could anchor the interior of the line for a decade or more, and would instantly add longevity to the group.

The Bad:

The cost of this pick is that the playmaker positions, at which the Bears have massive holes, will not be addressed with the top young talent available. Some of those holes may get plugged in free agency, but this pick means one less player to use to fill them.  The question must be asked, does it really make your team stronger to strengthen your strengths when you do not adequately address your weaknesses?