NFL Draft Talk: Bears likely picking in the Top 10 again |
You could make the case that this season is one of the toughest if not the toughest, Bears seasons in recent memory. Coming off an offseason in which the Bears added several offensive weapons and drafted Caleb Williams, No. 1 overall, there was a rare sense of excitement in Chicago this season, something the Bears haven't experienced in years.
Many of the early season experts went on to predict that the Bears would make the playoffs, with some even saying they would win the division. Once the season started, you saw the potential everyone was talking about, as this team was a 4-2 football team and found themselves right in the middle of the playoff race. It was at that moment when the bottom fell off for this team. One play shocked this organization and sent them into a tailspin they hadn't been able to recover from. We are talking about the Jayden Daniels Hail Mary that flipped a 15-12 Bears lead and turned it into an 18-15 Bears loss. That play ended the Bears' three-game winning streak and sent them on a seven-game losing streak, as they haven't won a game since. In losing seven straight, the Bears have fallen to 4-9 on the season and have fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus. In other words, it was a nightmare scenario unfolding in front of the fans' eyes as the Bears continued to fall flat on their faces in the public eye. Because of their performance over the past two months, the Bears have not only played themselves out of the playoff picture but are expected to land in the Top 10 again and are currently picking No. 9 overall. That's not ideal for a team trying to set a new standard within the organization, but when you consider that a new head coach will be taking over this team, a top-10 pick isn't the worst thing to have. Picking that high in the draft has its perks, as it gives you far more options than you would typically have later in the draft. Of course, those options must address the team's needs, and the Bears will have to fill these needs. The biggest need is the offensive line, which Ryan Poles has failed to address in recent seasons. Under no circumstances should the Bears target anyone but a lineman at No. 9, as they need as much help up front as possible. You saw a similar situation last season when the Bears took Williams No. 1 overall and were back on the clock a few minutes later set to pick at No. 9. Everyone knew the Bears needed offensive line help. Still, the Bears didn't feel their line was in as bad a spot as it was and elected to take Rome Odunze at nine. Going a bit farther than the No. 9 selection, the Bears would currently have three picks in the top 41, with one of them coming from Carolina at No. 35. That is massive when you think about it, as the Bears not only have an opportunity to go Lineman in round one, but they could turn right back around and swing a second offensive lineman in round two. Throw in the potential to add a pass rusher early in the second round, and the Bears are positioned to make an impact in the first two rounds as they could take care of two of their needs. Not only will that be crucial to the long-term success of this team, but whoever takes over as head coach will have the opportunity to leave their imprint on this organization instantly. Even though the Bears are picking No. 9 right now, that doesn't mean they will stay there. The Bears can move as high as No. 16 or fall into the top-five range. The next four games will have a big say in where this team drafts next season.
