The draft is almost one week away. Everyone is eager to see what moves GM Ryan Poles has in mind for the Chicago Bears. The first is obvious. He will take a quarterback at #1 overall. From there, debates continue about the plans for #9. Most experts continue to believe Poles will grab one of the top wide receivers at that spot if one reaches that spot. It seems like a simple decision. Keenan Allen will be 32 this year and isn't signed beyond 2024. Adding a blue-chip receiver would give the team more firepower for their young QB and long-term insurance.
However, Greg Gabriel isn't so sure about that. The former Bears scouting director has followed the team for a long time and understands how NFL front offices think. It is easy for fans to make such decisions because they don't have to face the consequences. Teams must look at the entire board, not just the given pick. Chicago has other pressing needs on the roster. Adding a wide receiver is plausible, but it could come at a more significant cost to other areas since they may be unable to find help later.
"A majority of Bears fans want the team to select a wide receiver with that ninth pick. Fans almost always are in favor of grabbing the skill positions. Team decision-makers don’t always think like that. They have to know the strengths and weaknesses of the Draft and know where the drop off is on players at each position. That helps them determine a strategy. In this Draft, the edge position is weak as far as depth while the wide receiver position is very deep."
The Chicago Bears have to weigh the odds.
As of now, they have four picks in the top 150. According to most draft outlets, there are 18 edge rushers ranked in that range. Keep in mind a few of those names won't fit the Bears' 4-3 scheme due to size or length issues. There are 25 wide receivers considered top 150 talents. Poles has to answer the difficult question. Does he stand a better chance of getting a starting-caliber edge rusher with his 3rd round pick or a wide receiver? Some notable names in recent years have been drafted in the range that the Bears select.
- Nico Collins (Texans)
- Terry McLaurin (Commanders)
- Michael Gallup (Cowboys)
- Chris Godwin (Buccaneers)
- Kenny Golladay (Lions)
- Keenan Allen (Chargers)
- Mohamed Sanu (Bengals)
- TY Hilton (Colts)
By contrast, it hasn't been the most fertile ground for pass rushers.
- Jonathan Greenard
- Alex Highsmith
- Danielle Hunter
- Akiem Hicks
- Trey Hendrickson
There is a chance the Chicago Bears can gamble on finding a pass rusher later on, but the odds are clearly more favorable if they opt to wait at wide receiver instead. Then again, if Poles thinks one of the guys at the top is a can't-miss future superstar, logic must go out the window.
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