With the 2020 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, the Chicago Bears are gearing up for what’s an important draft for general manager Ryan Pace.
Considering the Bears have just two picks in the first four rounds — both second rounders at 43 and 50 — Pace needs to make those two count. And with no shortage of roster needs, Pace has his work cut out for him.
But before the NFL Draft kicks off April 23, Bleacher Report has scoured the remaining free agent market, and they’ve pinpointed one player that each team should sign. For the Bears, that’s offensive guard Josh Kline.
Chicago figures to target a guard at some point in the draft, but it should add more veteran insurance beforehand. The Bears took a flier on Germain Ifedi in free agency, but he struggled to establish himself as a reliable starter throughout his four-year tenure with the Seattle Seahawks.
Josh Kline, on the other hand, has been a consistent starter for the past five seasons. Though he would represent a step down from a fully healthy Long, Kline would at least give Chicago a proven option.
Following Kyle Long’s retirement, the Bears have a starting right guard job up for grabs. Right now, it figures to be a three-way race between newcomer Germain Ifedi, Alex Bars and Rashaad Coward. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if Pace targets an interior offensive lineman in the NFL Draft later this month.
If the Bears wanted to add a proven veteran to the mix, Kline, a five-year starter, would be a good fit. While Chicago is also in need of a starting guard, they’re also searching for depth on the offensive line. Even if Kline didn’t win the starting job, he’d be good depth for the Bears at a position that had its share of injuries in 2019.
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