Bears GM Ryan Poles needs to draft for his defense the way he once did for offense
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams spent part of Monday looking ahead.
Three of last year’s draft picks became some of his most trusted weapons on offense as rookies. Their connection with the quarterback only figures to grow as they spent the next few seasons together. The same goes for receiver Rome Odunze, who was drafted the same year as Williams.
“It’s going to be really fun to go out there and grow together,” Williams said.
Hopefully, Ryan Poles took notice of Williams’ words. Because the general manager needs to do for his defense this week what the Bears did for their offense during last year’s draft. That means taking a premium player in Round 1, yes, but addressing almost every defensive position over the course of the three-day draft, which starts Thursday.
That’s what happened on offense last year, when, after taking tight end Colston Loveland in Round 1, the Bears landed standouts at wide receiver (Luther Burden) and running back (Kyle Monangai) plus help at both tackle (Ozzy Trapilo) and guard (Luke Newman). The only position group the Bears didn’t touch was quarterback.
Poles, as usual, was vague in explaining the team’s direction Tuesday, saying he had confidence the Bears front office was ready for any scenario that pops up with the first 24 picks Thursday.
“If things start to shift and move, we're agile enough to make adjustments,” hes aid. If that's moving up, moving back, we'll be ready for anything that comes our way.”
Staying exactly where they are Thursday and drafting an edge rusher 25th should be the first piece of the puzzle. The Bears have, to this point, done nothing to fix their biggest defensive problem. They finished second-to-last in pass-rush win rate last year, ahead of only the woeful Bengals. They boast only one player, Montez Sweat, who ranked in Pro Football Focus’ top 60 pass-rushing edge players — and he’s No. 39.
Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, who is only 20, is among the edge rushers who could be available at No. 25. ESPN’s projection system predicts Faulk to post 23½ sacks in his first five seasons in the NFL. The Bears would surely take that — in the last 30 years, the team has drafted one player who went on to more sacks through their first five years: Alex Brown. Other edge rushers who could be available when they pick include Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Missouri’s Zion Young, Miami’s Akheem Mesidor and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell. All are flawed — Parker had only five sacks last year, Young was part of the Michigan brawl while at Michigan State, Mesidor is 25 and Howell has short arms —but that’s why they may be available 25 picks into
the draft.
Taking an edge rusher first would free the Bears up to fill three of their four position groups on Day 2 of the draft. Poles has two second-round picks and one third-rounder with which to maneuver.
The Bears need another defensive tackle to challenge Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett. Clemson’s Peter Woods, Florida’s Caleb Banks, Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter and Iowa State’s Domonique Orange could be available in Round 2.
The safety position opposite Coby Bryant is the Bears' lone open starting job. Rather than consider Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren or Oregon’s Dillon Theineman in Round 1, they should be able to find one in Round 3 or later. Since 2010, there have been 13 instances of a player drafted in Round 3 or later being named an all-pro safety.
The Bears could take a cornerback to challenge the mercurial Tyrique Stevenson or a linebacker to stash in case they walk away from T.J. Edwards next offseason for a paltry $2.3 million dead cap hit.
The best part of Poles’ draft last year was how he was able to stack impact offensive players at different position from round to round. He’ll have to do the same this year on defense, no matter which order he chooses.