It feels odd that Chicago Bears fans aren’t overly excited about the draft this year. That is probably because expectations were high this season. They thought the team had a strong defense and had finally found a viable quarterback option with Caleb Williams. While the latter appears true, the defense has taken a significant step back, and it seems the optimism around head coach Matt Eberflus was sorely misplaced. Like it or not, the Bears are right back in the mix for a top 10 selection next year, and it appears their positioning has significantly improved.
While jumping into the top five is not possible given the unusual number of bad teams this season, the results of this past week’s games all but guaranteed Chicago at least the 10th overall pick. Dallas winning was a catalyst for this. Only one team, the Saints, has a chance to overtake the Bears for the 9th pick, while San Francisco (#11) is two games behind. That means the Bears would have to win both of their remaining games, and the 49ers would have to lose both of theirs. Neither outcome seems likely.
Meanwhile, if either the Jets or Panthers get one more win in those final two weeks, the Bears could secure the #7 or #8 picks.
Historically, at least two quarterbacks have gone in the top five of the draft 11 times since 2000. That has become almost a guarantee in recent years as teams desperate for a solution at the most important position are prepared to reach for one. Presuming this trend holds true, it improves the odds of Chicago landing a difference-maker at a position of need. Early indications say this is a great draft on the defensive line. Landing Abdul Carter of Penn State or Mason Graham of Michigan would be an instant boost for the Bears’ struggling front four.
It would also all but guarantee they land the top offensive lineman in the class, be it Will Campbell of LSU, Kelvin Banks of Texas, or somebody else. Picking in the top seven is rarely a bad thing. Recent 7th picks include Penei Sewell, Derrick Brown, Josh Allen, DeForest Buckner, and Mike Evans. There is no reason the Chicago Bears shouldn’t land a good player in that range. This isn’t the season anybody wanted. Still, there is always a silver lining to any situation.
