Most Chicago Bears fans are dying to know what the team has planned for the upcoming NFL draft. With no 1st round pick available, GM Ryan Pace will have to further his reputation for getting the most out of later picks in order to give his team much-needed help in 2020. This leads to the big question. What has helped Pace deliver in those moments before? There are plenty of factors. Hard work, trust in his scouts, and attention to detail being big ones.
However, it also has come down to his avenues of choice.
Most fans when asked about the parts of the pre-draft process that tend to reveal the most about prospects, they'll answer either the scouting combine or the pro days. However, plenty of football people have been quick to say that few events are more valuable to uncovering good football players than the Senior Bowl. It puts several players in NFL-like conditions including practices and a game. Plenty of future stars and solid starters have emerged from it.
Pace has been one of those GMs who has taken major advantage of it. Among his finds dating back to 2015 include Adrian Amos, Nick Kwiatkoski, Bilal Nichols, and Cody Whitehair. That's a quality starting safety, an inside linebacker who is looking like a starter-in-waiting, a solid rotational defensive end, and a Pro Bowl center. Not too bad.
Ryan Pace must take advantage of 2020 class
Early signs are the 2020 Senior Bowl group is strong in a number of areas. A few of them being of particular interest to the Bears. Among them being offensive line, defensive back, and edge rusher. The tight end crop also has a few worthwhile talents who will demand attention. Thus far Pace has utilized the Senior Bowl as a prime outlet for discovering who his likely targets will be in the 4th and 5th rounds. Of the five total picks he's made from that game, four of them ended up going in that range to Chicago.
While there is no telling who the Bears will end up keeping marked on their list, it's best to keep the list of standouts from the Senior Bowl close by as the draft draws closer. The odds favor any of them getting scooped up by Pace should they fall into the proper wheelhouse this coming April.
