Crazy things are happening in New Orleans, and they will directly impact the Chicago Bears. It started earlier this week when news emerged that quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder issue. The seriousness is strong enough that he may not be available for the start of the season and perhaps beyond. That immediately put quarterback on the docket for their #9 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Now, another huge news drop has shifted projections. The Saints' star right tackle, Ryan Ramczyk, has chosen to retire.
The 30-year-old missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery. Health had been an issue for him the past couple of years, but there were no clear indications he was planning to step away. It leaves New Orleans with a difficult decision. Trevor Penning is the projected right tackle this season. The former 1st rounder has been a disappointment, and last season was his worst, allowing 54 total pressures. It may compel GM Mickey Loomis to find a solution with that 9th pick, decreasing the odds of Chicago landing Will Campbell or Armand Membou.
The Chicago Bears could still benefit from this.
Ramczyk's retirement does reinforce one likelihood. Whoever the Saints take at #9, it is almost a foregone conclusion that it will be somebody in the trenches. It could be an offensive tackle, but others think they're focused on finding help on the defensive line. If that happens, the Chicago Bears have better odds of landing one of the top skill position prospects on the board, be it running back Ashton Jeanty or tight end Tyler Warren. This is another reminder of how unpredictable the NFL can be. Nobody has projected the Saints eyeing offensive tackles in any mock draft to this point. With less than a week to go, there is a strong probability that it will change. Perhaps New Orleans had at least an inkling this could happen and was prepared, but either way, the Bears' plans at #10 are once again impacted.
