Chicago Bears: FA additions at these positions should not impact the draft

The Chicago Bears lost Kyle Fuller this offseason due to salary cap issues. It was not a move that Ryan Pace wanted to make, but unfortunately, that is just something that happens — even more so when the salary cap drops unexpectedly due to a global pandemic. Fuller was easily the top corner on the roster, even with Jaylon Johnson waiting in the wings.

Since the Chicago Bears lost Fuller, Pace has brought three cornerbacks into the fold. The team has signed Desmond Trufant to a one-year deal. The Bears have also brought back Artie Burns and most recently Michael Joseph.

As the 2021 NFL Draft approaches (we are less than 20 days away), the team’s biggest needs still remain quarterback, cornerback, wide receiver and of course the offensive line — most specifically offensive tackle. The team still needs to address the safety position and bring in a few depth pieces, but these can be done in the second wave of free agency that will take place after the draft.

Typically a team’s offseason moves will dictate what a team will do or not do in the NFL Draft. This offseason though, the Chicago Bears moves should not have any real impact on what Ryan Pace will do at the end of the month. This is mostly because the team was unable to make a big splash in free agency due to salary cap restraints.

Let us take a look at these four positions and why none of the moves Ryan Pace has made at this point should have no impact on the NFL Draft. If anything, the moves give Pace some flexibility to take the best player available within the first three rounds. Without a fourth-round pick, Pace will need to work his magic again in the fifth round as sixth and seventh-round picks are more of a crapshoot than anything else.