Chicago Bears 2018 NFL Draft Primer
By Usayd Koshul
Chicago Bears 2018 Draft Primer. Everything you need to know from the first pick to last
With the NFL Draft set to officially begin on Thursday night, the Chicago Bears roster looks much different than anyone envisioned. Over the last few months, the Bears have overhauled a number of positions such as Wide Receiver and Tight End, while adding depth at some positions such as defensive end.
However, the work doesn’t stop there. The team still has holes to fill and it’s all on Ryan Pace’s shoulders to fill them. This Thursday night, the Bears general manager begins what will be his fourth NFL draft with the franchise and no doubt, things will be different. Pace will be under a microscope more than ever before. And there’ll be plenty of questions that he’ll have to answer over a three-day period.
Who will replace Cameron Meredith? What needs, Guard or Defensive End, is more crucial to address in the early rounds? Is it worth trading back in the first round to recoup some extra picks, especially the third-rounder the Bears lost due to Mitchell Trubisky trade last year?
The Bears front office no doubt has work to do. Ryan Pace has spent three years building a solid roster via the draft and free agency and now with just one more solid draft, one has to wonder if the Bears rebuild could be complete. Simply put, this is a make-or-break draft for the Bears.
When the Bears are on the clock at number eight, they may have multiple options to choose from. While we don’t know who exactly Ryan Pace is targeting, we do know that the Bears have significant holes at linebacker, guard, and defensive end.
Having additional depth at any position in the NFL is never a bad thing. For a team that’s been hit with injuries very hard over the last few years, the Bears understand that investing in depth during the later parts of the draft is critical as it can build a well-rounded, deep roster.
One thing the Bears must do is begin to find long-term solutions at positions. Since Ryan Pace arrived in 2015, some of the Bears starters have been either established veterans whose contracts were not renewed with their previous teams such as Earl Watford, Josh Sitton, Alan Ball, and Tracey Porter. Or they have been younger players who lack experience and have been forced to start due to injuries.
Below, is my official NFL Draft Primer for the Bears.