The Chicago Bears’ offseason of talent acquisition has one more, very important step: The 2018 NFL Draft.
After GM Ryan Pace made moves to add Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Trey Burton, Aaron Lynch, and others in free agency, the organization’s focus now shifts to adding more young talent to the roster through the draft.
Despite an active free agency period, the Bears still have many needs. We’re going to look at some of the best prospects at various positions of interest leading up to the draft.
Previous: None.
Today: Quarterback
Need: Low
Currently on the Roster (2017 Pro Football Focus Grade):
Pro Football Focus’ Top-5 Prospects:
- Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- Sam Darnold, USC
- Josh Rosen, UCLA
- Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
- Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Best of the Rest: Josh Allen, Wyoming; Kyle Lauletta, Richmond; Mike White, Western Kentucky; Luke Falk, Washington State; Logan Woodside, Toledo
Team Fit
The Bears are all-in on Mitch Trubisky with the GM staking his future to the second-year quarterback developing into a franchise quarterback under the tutelage of new head coach Matt Nagy. So with Trubisky leading the charge and the Chase Daniel-Tyler Bray tag team aiding in teaching Nagy’s offense, there simply isn’t a need to draft at the position. Choosing a quarterback would be a luxury pick, but it might be nice to have a developmental signal caller waiting in the wings.
Most Likely to be Available When the Bears Are on the Clock:
Every draft has a premier prospect whose stock unsuspectingly takes a tumble. This year, it feels like UCLA’s Josh Rosen is that guy. And if it so happens that Rosen slides to the back end of the top-10, the Bears will likely be fielding some calls from teams who want to move up.
If I Had to Pick One:
Imagining an alternate universe where the Bears didn’t draft Trubisky last year and still landed a top-10 pick is fun to think about. I’m most intrigued by Lamar Jackson. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner has elite athleticism, a strong arm, and was the driving force of Louisville’s offense. Teaming his skill set and Nagy’s offense would make for an intriguing combo to watch. Without diving any deeper, let’s just say I’d be comfortable with the Bears taking Jackson at No. 8.
But since we don’t live in that alternate universe, we’re not at all concerned with taking a quarterback here. The team met with Washington State’s Luke Falk at the Senior Bowl, and is the kind of late-round developmental type who could fit the bill after averaging more than 4,200 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 6.9 yards per attempt over the last three seasons.