Chicago Bears Expected To Continue Adding To Key Position In Draft

Having four picks in the NFL draft makes it difficult to discern what the Chicago Bears plan to do. GM Ryan Poles will have to make his priorities clear going in. He has two 1st round picks. They must be reserved for the two positions he needs the most. One of them is obviously a quarterback. The other will be a battle between wide receiver and edge rusher. Offensive tackle could be lurking in the background, but everything points to three outcomes: a wide receiver, an edge rusher, or a trade down for more picks. However, another position could get more attention later in the draft.

Bears insider Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog went on Twitter Space to discuss the team's outlook going into the draft. He dropped some interesting comments on the subject. Based on what he knows, it appears wide receiver and edge rusher are the focus in the 1st round. Once the focus shifts to the Bears' next picks in the 3rd and 4th, he expects the team to think about adding another body at center. While they like the combo of Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton, Poles still wants to add a young prospect to the mix.

The Chicago Bears should have intriguing options.

As things stand, only one center in this draft appears likely to go in the 1st round. That is Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson. Everybody else will go in the 2nd round and later. Chicago doesn't pick again until the 3rd. Names to watch in that range include Zach Frazier of West Virginia, Nick Samac of Michigan State, and Beaux Limmer of Arkansas. All three have the technique, intelligence, and mobility the Bears seem to covet for their interior offensive line. It comes down to who is available when they decide it's time to draft a center.

It will also depend on if Poles wants to move around to secure more draft capital. Given his reputation, that seems likely. Either way, the Chicago Bears have good reasons to focus on bolstering the center position. It has given them a lot of problems in recent years. Cody Whitehair fell apart quickly after his peak in 2018. Lucas Patrick wasn't much better over the past two years. Maybe Bates or Shelton end up filling the void well, but there is never any harm in adding insurance.