The 2020 NFL Draft is only a few days away, which means that The Game Haus will be doing draft profiles for every team. Each NFL team will be evaluated heading into this year’s draft including what their needs are and who they could be targeting. The Chicago Bears are the subject of today’s profile.
Summary
The Bears followed up an excellent 12-4 2018 season with an 8-8 campaign last year. They came in third in the NFC North, missing the playoffs. Their 2018 season came to an end with the infamous “double doink” missed field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mitchell Trubisky regressed, and was questioned by NFL fans and pundits throughout the season. The excellent defense also took a step back in 2019, failing to carry the declining play of the offense to the playoffs. With the Packers returning to their winning ways and the Vikings continuing to do enough to reach the postseason, the Bears needed a good free agency and efficient draft to be competitive in the division again.
Their biggest signing came with the acquisition of Nick Foles from Jacksonville. This means the Bears have a ready and able quarterback with a winning pedigree behind Trubisky if he continues to disappoint on the field. Foles could also serve as an expensive flame underneath Trubisky; a motivation for him to work harder.
Another player acquired was Jimmy Graham, who still has potential but disappointed on the Seahawks and the Packers. Chicago also shored up the back end of their defense by signing the Steelers’ Artie Burns and the Chiefs’ Jordan Lucas.
Long story short, the step back the Bears took in 2019 was unexpected and disappointing. They will not want to rest on their laurels. They will want to fill the holes in their roster and remind the NFC of the fearsome 2018 squad.
2020 NFL Draft Picks
The Bears have six picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
First Round (no picks)
Second Round (two pick) – No. 43, No. 50
Third Round (no picks)
Fourth Round (no picks)
Fifth Round (one pick) – No. 163
Sixth Round (two picks) – No. 196, No. 200
Seventh Round (one pick) – No. 233
Team Needs
Guard/Center – Stalwart guard Kyle Long retired in the offseason, and the Bears need to find a new culture guy on the offensive line to replace him. A running game needs to develop, and since Chicago has their backs, the next step is crafting an excellent line.
Strong Safety – The Packers punted on Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and the Bears took a chance. He did not really fit into their system, either. Their defensive personnel is already great, but a hard-hitting safety would not go amiss.
2020 NFL Draft Targets
Second Round:
Pick No. 43: A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Since the Bears closed the gap on safety a bit in free agency, they could grab a corner with a winning pedigree with their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. A.J. Terrell is that corner.
Terrell is ready to start right away, and Chicago needs some new blood in the back of the defense. He collected six interceptions in his three years at Clemson, and had double-digit solo tackles in each of his last two years. Primarily a cover corner, Terrell is a great choice and may just fall to the Bears. If he does, they should not miss their chance.
Pick No. 50: Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin
This pick is a no-brainer. The Bears offensive line needs to get better, and they need to take the best-available guard or center, considering they do not have a first rounder this year. That very well may be Tyler Biadasz.
Ezra Cleveland may also be on the board, but they would have to shift him from tackle to guard. Biadasz’s skillset is much more malleable, and he could more easily play multiple positions if he were to be asked. He also blocked for Jonathan Taylor, one of the most interesting backs in the draft, and one of the best running backs in the school’s history.
Chicago cannot overthink this one. This pick needs to be spent on an immediate need, and, if possible, a flexible offensive lineman.
Featured Image courtesy of Sportslogos.net
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