The first and most expensive wave of NFL free agency is in the books, and with all the signings comes a reshuffling of teams’ draft needs. The Chicago Bears are no exception, even if their free agency efforts have left fans wanting more.
The biggest move by GM Ryan Pace so far has been at quarterback, where Andy Dalton takes over as the team’s starter. At 33 years old, it’s not completely out of the question that he has a big year and earns a multi-year contract beyond the 2021 season. He’s young enough to keep him in play as a guy who could conceivably play four or five years for this team.
In fact, there’s a chance his presence on the roster will push quarterback into a value-over-need bucket.
Pre-Dalton, the Bears were more likely to reach on a quarterback at No. 20. With Dalton in place, Chicago will take one only if his scouting report warrants it.
The bigger problem facing the Bears is the massive loss of cornerback Kyle Fuller. Chicago cut ties with arguably their best all-around defender for salary cap savings, and while veteran Desmond Trufant is a fine replacement, his inability to stay healthy for a full season means the Bears need more talent at cornerback.
The problem? Aside from Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech) and Patrick Surtain II (Alabama), there isn’t a surefire first-round cornerback in the class. Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II is my CB3 right now and would be a good need selection at No. 20 if he lasts that long.
There’s also a problem at right tackle, where Bobby Massie was released and no viable replacement added, and despite Allen Robinson’s return to the club on the one-year franchise tender, the rumored desire to trade Anthony Miller makes wide receiver a high-ranking need as well.
Here’s how I’d rank the Bears’ needs if the 2021 NFL draft was going to be held this weekend:
- Offensive tackle
- Cornerback
- Quarterback
- Wide receiver
- Safety
The good news for Chicago is the prospects with the best value at No. 20 are likely to be offensive linemen, and offensive tackles specifically. Likewise, there will be quality wide receivers available to them in Round 1.
Maybe the Bears won’t get their QB-next in this year’s draft, and they may have to dig into the Day-2 defensive backs to offset the loss of Fuller. But the way things are shaping up right now, they’ll be able to fill a big need in Round 1 with a quality player.
The second wave of free agency often helps fill some of these needs too, so we’ll check back on the roster and any signings Pace makes as we inch closer to the start of the 2021 NFL draft.