Chicago Bears: 3 questions that still must be answered

Will an offensive guard be taken with the first draft pick?

It was painfully evident last year that the offensive line was broken. It adversely impacted both the passing and running game, which was a contributor to the struggles of Mitchell Trubisky and David Montgomery.

And as a result of the Khalil Mack trade, the Chicago Bears are without a first-round pick again this year. So, if, and when, any upgrades to the offensive line are going to happen, Pace will have to do so with the 43rd overall pick.

The Bears said goodbye to former first-round pick, Kyle Long, who struggled to remain healthy at the right guard position and ended up being a salary cap casualty. When healthy, Long was a solid player who provided consistency at the position, but when he was injured, the talent on the roster behind him left a lot to be desired.

Rashaad Coward saw time in 13 games, including ten starts, but earned a 51.7 PFF grade last year. Overall, injuries on the offensive line decimated the Chicago Bears in 2019. But with Long’s departure and Coward’s inconsistent play, a strong argument can be made that offensive guard is the highest priority in the draft.

The Bears may also replace Charles Leno Jr., who was responsible for four sacks allowed and 13 penalties, and he’s been on a steady decline since 2017. Last year, PFF gave him a grade of 58.6, which is quite the downturn from a 78.7 grade two years prior.

If the Bears want to keep Trubisky upright and have success on the ground, expect several draft picks to be utilized on revamping the offensive line.