The rumors surrounding the Chicago Bears have been unrelenting with the NFL draft just 24 hours away. Among the most persistent in the past couple of days is a belief the team wants to trade up from #10 into the top five, hoping to land either running back Ashton Jeanty or pass rusher Abdul Carter. If they believe they're close to winning, such a move would make sense in a draft light on star power. However, most of the more credible insiders have been leaning in a different direction.
While moving up is always possible, they get the sense GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson are content remaining patient at #10. As to what they could be targeting, everything is on the table. That said, one position seems to be coming up over and over.
Adam Schefter (ESPN)
"They allowed 68 sacks last year. Worst in the league. Allowed the most sacks in the league the last three years. That's why they fortified their offensive line in free agency and why they will look to continue to add to the offense in this draft."
Albert Breer (MMQB)
"I see the Bears, in all likelihood, sticking there at #10. I think offensive tackle would certainly be in play for them."
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network)
“In terms of positions that you probably don’t want to wait on, if you are dead set on getting an offensive tackle and you want to get your long-term left tackle, you’re going to want to do that with your first pick."
Peter Schrager (ESPN)
Has them selecting OT in official mock draft.
Benjamin Allbright (KOA Colorado)
Has them selecting OT in official mock draft.
Bill Zimmerman (Windy City Gridiron)
Listed three OTs (out of nine names) among likeliest choices for Bears' 1st round pick
Tony Pauline (Sportkeedia)
"The Bears would prefer to trade down and take an offensive lineman such as Conerly from what I'm told."
The Chicago Bears seem fixated on finishing what they started.
Yes, the rumors are true that they love Jeanty. It is easy to see why. He's a stud who carried his team to way more success than it deserved last season. That said, the odds of him reaching #10 are remote. Poles must be pragmatic about their situation. Based on how this draft class is stacked, experts agree that the offensive tackle crop will dry up dangerously fast after the 1st round. Meanwhile, other areas of need like running back, tight end, and defensive line have far more depth in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
It makes sense for the Chicago Bears to target a top tackle, especially given Braxton Jones's uncertain future. The key is whether the position is plucked clean. There are at least four teams picking ahead of them who could justify taking a tackle.
- New England at #4
- Las Vegas at #6
- New York at #7
- New Orleans at #9
There is a good chance two names will be gone by the time Chicago is on the clock. If that number reaches three, it will be hard to justify going offensive tackle at that point compared to some of the other promising talent sure to be available. Thursday night is almost at hand.
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