Ryan Poles Knows The Importance Of The Second Draft

The first draft is important for any GM. It lays the foundation for what you're trying to build. However, the second draft often determines what direction the franchise will go. Ryan Poles understands this. When he arrived with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009, new GM Scott Pioli inherited a bad team. They'd gone 2-14 the year prior. He was tasked with tearing everything down and starting over. His first draft was a mixed bag but at least offered a glimpse into what Pioli wanted to build. Whether he'd achieve some of that vision depended on his second draft.

It went pretty well. Kansas City nabbed star safety Eric Berry with the 5th pick in 2010. A round later, they secured versatile weapon Dexter McCluster. They also added starting guard Jon Asamoah and defensive back Kendrick Lewis. Four starters in one class, including two future Pro Bowlers. That set the tone for the coming season as the Chiefs went 10-6, making the playoffs. While the team took some steps back in 2011 and 2012, Pioli continued to stack solid drafts moving forward. So when Andy Reid arrived as the head coach in 2013, the team was ready to win.

Ryan Poles might already be ahead of the game.

Unlike Pioli, his first draft class appears to have added multiple starters to the roster in Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Braxton Jones. Now he goes into his second draft holding the #1 overall pick and eight selections overall. This is a golden opportunity for him to deliver a standout class that can propel the Chicago Bears forward. Poles knows what he wants to do. He has a plan. That involved targeting the premium positions, seeking star power at offensive tackle, defensive end, cornerback, and wide receiver. It is the same approach he learned in Kansas City.

That seems to have worked out well for them. Other Bears GMs have seen the value of good second drafts. Seven of Ryan Pace's picks from 2016 are still in the league. Two made the Pro Bowl, and two others won the Super Bowl. Jerry Angelo nabbed two superstars in his second draft with Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs. The evidence is consistent. This is an important draft for Ryan Poles. It might not break him, but it can certainly make him. Maybe he can be different from the rest.