When we were expecting the Chicago Bears to go one way in the 2017 NFL Draft, they went in a totally different direction.
Remember those pre-draft moments when the Bears were totally drafting LSU safety Jamal Adams with the third overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft? Adams does. And while he believes he landed in the perfect situation for him, it’s clearly still on his mind: “I’m not even going to sugar coat it. I thought I was going to be a Chicago Bear,” Adams said, via the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta. “Everybody did.”
Perhaps Adams should have checked in with Bears DC Vic Fangio, who had it pegged all the way.
To be fair, Adams feelings were totally understandable. All signs pointed toward the Bears drafting a defensive player with their first-round pick. Much of the pre-draft buzz surrounding Chicago’s potential was formed around one of the top-flight defensive backs. Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore, Buckeyes teammate safety Malik Hooker, and Adams (who was coming of a standout year as LSU’s top safety) were among the names most connected to the Bears, as were Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, and Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
There were plenty of defensive studs to choose from and the Bears definitely needed an upgrade at any number of positions on that side of the ball. Adams made a ton of sense, even if safety isn’t a position that is traditionally drafted that high. The Bears would eventually land a stud SEC safety in that draft, but it was Alabama’s Eddie Jackson in the fourth round.
It wasn’t until late in the process when whispers regarding the possibility of drafting a quarterback. If you’ll recall, the Bears were all-in on Deshaun Watson’s pro day at Clemson, worked out Texas Tech prospect Patrick Mahomes, and reportedly showed a genuine interest in Mahomes’ fast-rising stock. Of course, no we all know that was a well-executed diversion as the team ultimately selected Mitch Trubisky with the second overall pick. That left Adams waiting when he was expecting to be drafted. At least he wasn’t left waiting for too long. The Jets took him four picks later.
So this all sets up for a “revenge game” for a player against a team that many – including the player himself – believed was going to draft him. Neat-o!