Big Moves By NFC North Rivals Makes Bears Draft Target Clear

Roster needs will likely drive how the Chicago Bears draft plans materialize in April. GM Ryan Pace has done a great job in free agency to this point knocking off key needs. Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel solve their receiver issues. Trey Burton adds more depth at tight end. Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller both return on long-term deals, stabilizing cornerback. Suddenly the picture is coming into focus. However, needs aren't the only thing that tends to alter the thinking for a draft. It's not just their own moves the Bears have to consider. It's that of their biggest rivals. The teams they have to play twice a year. If there is one theme that has come to pass about the 2018 off-season to this point, it's that the rest of the NFC North has loaded up on the defensive line. It began when the Green Bay Packers secured veteran Muhammad Wilkerson to join the tandem of Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark on their new defense under Mike Pettine. Then it was the Minnesota Vikings who fired the biggest shot, locking up interior pass rush specialist Sheldon Richardson to a one-year deal. In doing this those teams may have helped make the Bears' draft decision for them.

Chicago Bears draft plans might need to consider early O-line

The Bears have made it clear their top priority in 2018 is surrounding quarterback Mitch Trubisky with as much talent as possible. Their investments at wide receiver, tight end, and the revamped coaching staff were all a means to this end. It seems though there is one area they've neglected to this point. That's the offensive line. Now those moves by the Packers and Vikings underscore this problem and who Chicago might have in mind at #8 overall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi3Um_aHdMk&t=80s Quenton Nelson is considered the only offensive lineman in the 2018 draft who is worthy of going in the top 10. The Bears are considered one of the primary landing spots for him next month and with good reason. He has a connection to their new offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, who developed him at Notre Dame. Adding to this idea is how the Bears released veteran guard Josh Sitton. Together with the questionable health of other guard Kyle Long, the interior of that offensive line is starting to look shaky. To say nothing of the ongoing lack of top performance at the tackle positions. Nelson is believed by many to be the best overall prospect in the draft. Olin Kreutz even predicted he's destined for a great career.

Nelson would be a plug and play starter and somebody who can help counteract those defensive line upgrade made by the rest of the division. This is the sort of chess match that happens every year, a big reason the off-season is no less compelling than the actual season. Will the Bears follow this game plan?