Advertisement

Fact or fiction: Which Bears draft opinions are myths?

Bears
Bears

Finally, ladies and gentlemen the 2017 NFL Draft is in the books, and Chicago fans are not happy. Many are calling for Ryan Pace’s head after he traded up to No. 2 overall for former UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky. That was just the beginning; following that were small-school picks with an emphasis on offense. The question becomes: are they right? Did Pace actually lose his mind, or was his plan secretly genius? As with almost everything, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Here are a few topics leading that discussion.

Trade with San Francisco was too costly

Minutes into the draft, the Bears shocked the NFL world. After months of speculation and plenty of talk of trading down, suddenly they were on the clock at No. 2 overall. The cost? 2017’s third-rounder (67 overall), fourth-rounder (111 overall), and 2018’s third-rounder to move up one spot. I for one was thoroughly upset when it happened, but after the shock wore off, was it really that bad?

History lesson: Pace’s third-round picks in previous years are Jonathan Bullard in 2016 and Hroniss Grasu in 2015. After trading down in Round 2, Pace recouped a fourth-rounder, so the trade was essentially two third-rounders. Would trading Bullard and Grasu be worth a franchise QB I believe we all can agree that is a strong yes. Many believe Trubisky would have been there at 3, but as SI’s Peter King noted, there were multiple suitors for No. 2 overall. If Pace wanted to make sure he got his guy, he had to be bold.

Verdict: Fiction

Trubisky is a bad pick

I know he only started 13 games and I know he has flaws, but you tell me ONE perfect quarterback prospect and I’ll call you a liar. Yes, the Bears signed Mike Glennon to an $18 million contract, and that is why he is the starter. This was the plan. Trubisky is NOT ready, and that’s why Glennon is on a glorified one-year deal. Which, by the way, is quite cheap as far as starting quarterback contracts go. For years, Bears fans have been clamoring for a franchise quarterback and begged Pace to take one with this year’s pick. Now that it happened, everybody is mad.

Yes, the price was steep, but for the best quarterback in the draft and a potential superstar, it’s a pick that must be made. Trubisky checks all the boxes as far potential goes, and the Bears have the perfect situation for him to reach it without being thrown into the fire.

Verdict: Fiction


AROUND COVER32

Around the NFL: Buffalo Bills clean house after draft; part ways with Doug Whaley and scouting staff

What’s Trending: Why 2017’s Mr. Irrelevant may not be so irrelevant this year

cover32 Exclusive: Check out this exclusive interview with new Chicago Bears’ WR, Tanner Gentry

This Week in NFL History: Taking a look back at some of football’s biggest moments from April 30th – May 6th


Defense should have been the focus

This one is just plain easy to debunk. The Bears defense was middle of the pack last year, with most of its stars injured. The weakest part of the Bears’ defense was easily the secondary, which was heavily addressed in free agenct. The draft’s deepest and most talented pool was at defensive back, and the Bears got a steal with Alabama’s Eddie Jackson in the fourth. If not for a leg injury prematurely ending his campaign last year, he could have easily gone in the second round. Regardless, he was the lone defensive pick of the Bears.

Now the Bears’ offense, on the other hand, was atrocious last year. Jordan Howard and the offensive line were the bright spots in a terrible show week in and week out. 28th in points scored just won’t get the job done. After Zach Miller was lost to injury and Alshon Jeffery was sidelined with a suspension, the passing game disappeared and even Howard’s spectacular rookie campaign couldn’t save them. Red-zone drives continually stalled: they ended up coming in 23rd in red-zone efficiency. So, is Pace picking a massive tight end to both open holes and catch touchdowns such a surprise? How about a scat back who can hit the edge with speed that Howard can only dream of?

And as far as quarterback goes, not since Sid Luckman have the Bears had a true franchise quarterback that can consistently win. Pace took his shot at that, too. In a perfect world, you pick more defense, but let’s not pretend an offensive focus wasn’t necessary.

Verdict: Fiction

Pace’s job is riding on this draft

This I have to agree with. It all rides on Trubisky and his success in this league. If he becomes an above-average starter or Pro Bowler, all this negativity will instantly disappear. No one will mention Mike Glennon’s contract or the draft day trades and Pace will be a genius, but if Trubisky busts, Pace’s time in Chicago could be short. I will say he may have earned a lot of good will with ownership so far, hitting on players like Goldman, Floyd, Whitehair, and who knows what Kevin White will be if healthy.

Verdict: Both

Bears are no better in 2017 from this draft

It is hard to contest this one, because most of these picks are for potential. It has the eerie feeling of a Phil Emery draft class; however, the tape shows promise. The Bears picks were all in positions with starters entrenched, except Eddie Jackson. If he is healthy and regains his range, that and his return ability could be a huge boost in TWO departments for the Bears.

Tarik Cohen is possibly the perfect complement to Jordan Howard. Where Howard is thunder, Cohen is lightning. His speed and shiftiness gives the Bears options that simply didn’t exist on the roster last year. The Bears were one dimensional on 3rd down, as they were on most downs last year. Pace gave them options with tight end Adam Shaheen and Cohen. Shaheen is a monstrous former basketball player, at the very least is a mismatch nightmare as a rookie that can come in on 3rd downs and the red zone. All this is purely projection though, but isn’t that with every other draft ever?

Verdict: Both

To say the least, Ryan Pace and the Bears had a draft no one was expecting. However, it’s not nearly as bad as the “woe as me the franchise is ruined and mired in football hell” fans would like to believe. If this works out according to his plan Pace landed his franchise quarterback, some good weapons, and a potential solution to the long-standing free safety hole on the Bears roster. But if he is wrong, the McCaskeys may not have to worry about firing him when the fans run him out of town.

The post Fact or fiction: Which Bears draft opinions are myths? appeared first on Cover32.