The Bears Are Stacking Positive Offseason Momentum and Other Bullets

Apr 30, 2018

The Chicago Bears’ draft class of 2018 appears to be absolutely stacked:

STACKED. pic.twitter.com/PKwBArfkkY

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 29, 2018

Praise continues to roll in for the team’s efforts in the 2018 NFL Draft. Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus give the group an overall “good” grade for their seven-player class. PFF seemingly gave the Bears two thumbs up for their Day 3 haul of Bilal Nichols (who “graded well” in limited games and was impressive in the East-West Shrine Game) and Kylie Fitts, who put up 41 pressures in 2015 when he was healthy. Hitting in the later stages of the draft is what makes good draft classes great. And the thing is, GM Ryan Pace has had some quality late-round picks if you consider the contributions of players like Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, Eddie Jackson, and Adrian Amos. What would really round out the Bears draft would be if the team was able to hit on some of its earlier picks.

Reading William Moy’s observations at PFF regarding some of the Bears’ Day 3 picks makes me feel better about that part of the class as a whole and also makes some sense of what some perceived to be questionable picks. Moy projects Western Kentucky inside linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe to be a rotation linebacker and special teams contributor. He wasn’t much of a pass rusher in college, but the Bears don’t figure to use him in that capacity. “Iggy” appears to be a strong run defender, an area where the Bears struggled at times last year.

Nichols figures to be a rotational player along the defensive line, especially if he can prove to be able to fill in at multiple positions along the defensive line. The Bears needed depth at the position after watching starter Mitch Unrein leave for Tampa Bay, and to get it in the draft rather than pay for it in free agency feels like a win.

And then there is seventh-round receiver Javon Wims, who was the 224th player selected but PFF’s 99th overall prospect. Wims could be the steal of the draft if he continues his development path. We can’t help but love the highlight-reel grabs on jump-balls, but Wims was a force when he had the ball in his hands and was running after the catch. According to PFF, Wims forced 10 missed tackles on his 46 receptions in 2017. That’s quite impressive.

What a difference a year makes. It’s wild to think about where we were at this time last year trying to make sense of the 2017 draft class. What was Mitch Trubisky’s future with Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez ahead of him on the depth chart? Where was Adam Shaheen going to fit after the team invested a ton of money in Dion Sims as a free agent? When could Eddie Jackson and Tarik Cohen crack the lineup with established starters ahead of them? Here’s the thing, football has a way of answering all of our questions simply by playing out as it naturally does. Players will play their way in and out of roles in the coming months. That’s why getting it right on draft weekend is so important.

Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times writes the Bears’ draft represents a step in the right direction for a team that has been easy to criticize and point out how often they were out of touch with modern football and heading the wrong way. This isn’t to say all is well in the Bears’ world. The team still has holes on the roster and games are played on the field, not with projections. However, it’s impossible to deny the growth that has come with the change of direction and the execution of the offseason game plan. The fact that the Bears’ offseason is garnering as much praise as it is should make Bears fans feel better about a franchise that hasn’t produced a winning season since 2012 and hasn’t made the postseason since 2010.

If things are truly going the way the Bears want after this draft, it will begin with Roquan Smith living up to his potential. Take some time out of your schedule to read Brad Biggs’ profile of the All-American Georgia linebacker, who truly is a one-of-a-kind person and talent.

And if things are going really right for the Bears, they’ll get some surprise contributions along the way. After seeing Dubuque product (via Oswego) Michael Joseph pop up on the Bears’ list of undrafted free agent signings, I found myself going back to what Kevin Fishbain wrote about Joseph’s path to the point where he was on the NFL’s radar. Joesph wasn’t drafted, but has been a fighter at every level and showed off an ability to be a playmaker in the secondary. Every bit helps when you’re expected to face Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Kirk Cousins twice a year.

written by

Luis C. Medina

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron

Chicago Bears

NFL Schedule Release Update, Shane Waldron Trends, Can Rookie QBs Thrive? And Other Bears Bullets

Something interesting should go here. But I'm leaving the interesting stuff for the set of Bears Bullets that follow below. We've got an NFL schedule release update. And for those who were hoping it would drop this week, I hope...

Luis C. Medina

May 08, 2024

Chicago Bears

Report: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice In Trouble With The Law Again

Chiefs rookie receiver Rashee Rice is in legal trouble for the second time in just over a month. According to ABC News Dallas, Rice is under investigation for hitting a photographer at a club on Monday night. Dallas Police is...

Matt Rooney

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

Around the NFL: Burrow on the Mend, Boyd to Tennessee, Changes at NFL Network, More

Joe Burrow is on the comeback trail, his former teammate Tyler Boyd is heading to Tennessee, and did you see the Roast of Tom Brady? That and more in today's NFL Notes. Joe Burrow Working His Way Back from Wrist...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 08, 2024

Chicago Bears

Must-Read: Inside the Decision Process Behind the Bears Drafting Caleb Williams

Few people have had the Chicago Bears pegged like The MMQB's Albert Breer. Particularly, when it comes to the team's pursuit of Caleb Williams. For instance, Breer had the scoop on the Bears' dinner with Williams in April during the...

Luis C. Medina

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

Ian Cunningham Saved the Bears a Draft Pick

Chicago Bears Assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham reportedly earned an extension from the team in late April. It appears to already be paying dividends. In discussing what was going through his mind ahead of making the No. 9 pick in...

Luis C. Medina

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams is Wasting No Time Organizing Team Activities

QB1 is already working to bring his teammates together. In an interview with 670 The Score's Danny Parkins and Matt Spiegel, Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet said that quarterback Caleb Williams had already begun ironing out a plan to...

Luis C. Medina

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

Building For Caleb, Shedeur Sanders Noise, Teddy Gives Back, and Other Bears Bullets

If you're reading this, I never circled back to create a more compelling opening for Bears Bullets. It seems like it is time to pump the brakes on a potential NFL schedule release dropping this week. Pro Football Talk's Mike...

Luis C. Medina

May 07, 2024

Chicago Bears

These Chicago Bears Will Have New Numbers in 2024

A bunch of notable Chicago Bears starters and key contributors will have new numbers in 2024. Let's run it down. No. 1 Jaylon Johnson — Justin Fields' number didn't stay out of circulation for long. Because about a month after Fields'...

Luis C. Medina

May 06, 2024

Chicago Bears

2024 Chicago Bears Offseason Reset: Who’s New? Who’s Gone? Projected Starters, More

It's the first Monday in May. What better time for a Chicago Bears offseason reset? For reference, this is what things were looking like for the Bears when they opened the new league year back in March. Chicago Bears free...

Luis C. Medina

May 06, 2024

jaylon johnson bears NFL salary cap raise beneficiary

Chicago Bears

Bears Schedule, Jaylon, International Fandom, Brady Roast, and Other Bears Bullets

In an interview with GQ Magazine's sports department, Megan Armstrong chops it up with Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a variety of topics. Most notably, for me, topics such as sex addiction, dealing with trauma, and therapy pop up....

Luis C. Medina

May 06, 2024

Picks

Pascal Siakam Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Knicks – Conference Semifinals Game 2, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

On Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET, the Indiana Pacers face the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Pascal Siakam's 3-pointer over/under for this clash requires only one trifecta.Pascal Siakam's Three-Pointer Prop...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Tyrese Haliburton Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Knicks – Conference Semifinals Game 2, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

At 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Indiana Pacers against the New York Knicks, with Tyrese Haliburton needing three treys to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Tyrese Haliburton's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Donte DiVincenzo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pacers – Conference Semifinals Game 2, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

At 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the New York Knicks versus the Indiana Pacers, with Donte DiVincenzo needing four trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Donte DiVincenzo's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Myles Turner Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Knicks – Conference Semifinals Game 2, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

On Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET, the Indiana Pacers face the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Myles Turner's 3-pointer prop for this matchup requires two triples.Myles Turner's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Jalen Brunson Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pacers – Conference Semifinals Game 2, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The New York Knicks meet the Indiana Pacers at 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this clash requires three triples from Jalen...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Josh Hart Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pacers – Conference Semifinals Game 2, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

At 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the New York Knicks versus the Indiana Pacers, with Josh Hart needing two treys to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Josh Hart's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Picks

Top Player Prop Bets for Knicks vs. Pacers Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 2 on May 8, 2024

Player prop bet odds for Jalen Brunson, Pascal Siakam and others are listed when the New York Knicks host the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday (at 8:00 PM ET).How to Watch Knicks vs. PacersDate: Wednesday, May 8,...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Betting

2024 Myrtle Beach Classic: Ultimate Course Preview, Plus Key Stats

While the best and brightest compete up at the Wells Fargo, the grinders and lifers are down at the Myrtle Beach Classic, playing at the alt-event right before tourist season really kicks into high gear on the Golden Strand. Obviously,...

Andy Molitor

May 08, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Colorado Rockies (8-27) will try to end their three-game losing streak when they host the San Francisco Giants (16-21) on Wednesday at 8:40 PM ET on COLR. Oddsmakers consider the Giants to be -170 favorites for the contest, while...

Data Skrive

May 08, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Caleb Williams (and Other Stars) Showed Up to Support the Chicago Sky!

The Chicago Sky welcomed some familiar faces into Wintrust Arena on Tuesday night. Facing off in their final preseason game against the New York Liberty, several young Chicago up-and-comers were spotted courtside! Both Bears first-round draft picks – Caleb Williams...

Elias Schuster

May 08, 2024

The Bears Are Stacking Positive Offseason Momentum and Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular