Odds the Chicago Bears May Save That 2020 Comp Pick Are Growing

The Chicago Bears hopes to end their long streak without a compensatory pick took a rough hit when the Arizona Cardinals released wide receiver Kevin White a few weeks ago. Before that, the Bears were widely projected to receive a 4th round pick in 2020 due to the formula after losing Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan in free agency. Now as things stand, it appears the streak will stay alive for another year. That is unless they decide to make a countermove.

Each NFL free agency period is filled with a series of players who are part of the compensatory formula. The more of these players a team signs, the less their odds become of securing a pick the next year. For the Bears, they currently have two names on the roster who fit this description in cornerback Buster Skrine and running back Mike Davis. This because they became free agents and were signed to multiyear deals before May 8th.

However, there is one added stipulation to this formula. Both players must remain on the roster for 10 weeks of the regular season in order to qualify. In other words, if the Bears were to cut one of them by the first week of November, their odds of getting that 4th rounder will go up significantly. Skrine isn't the likely choice here. He's played quite well thus far. If anyone is to get the ax, it will be Davis.

Chicago Bears are running out of reasons to keep Davis

The Bears seemed rather sure of themselves when they signed Davis that they'd be getting a quality piece for their backfield. Time has shown they may have overblown that statement. Through three games Davis has nine carries for 22 yards. An average of 2.4 per carry. Cordarrelle Patterson, a wide receiver, has seven carries for 62. David Montgomery has clearly established himself as the primary back in this offense.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune seems to agree that Davis' role in this offense is shrinking.

"As you point out, removing Davis from the equation could enhance the Bears’ position when it comes to compensatory picks. He was relegated to the bench for almost all of Monday’s win over the Redskins, getting one carry on his only snap. Davis played 40 snaps in the opener against the Packers and 15 the next week in Denver before being nearly phased out in Washington.

If this continues, I would question why they are keeping him on the roster, and I can’t imagine he’s thrilled to be marginalized to this degree."

The Bears would lose $1 million in cap space and hold $3 million in dead money if they were to cut Davis. However, he's only on a two-year deal and the penalties wouldn't last beyond this year. At the same time, they'd potentially gain a valuable extra draft pick. Chicago has seven total for 2020 but none in the 1st, 3rd, or 4th rounds. This move might help solve the problem.

While it would be unfortunate for Davis, the fact is the Bears have other backs like Ryan Nall and Kerrith Whyte who can occupy that roster spot at a fraction of the cost.