The Chicago Bears 2016 NFL Draft Big Board
By Erik Lambert
Lots of outlets are going to cover the 2016 NFL draft in a general sense with their big boards. In other words their focus will be on who the best players they believe are in the top 31, 50 or 100 of the entire class. That is fine, but in this case the board is being narrowed down to players who can be specifically tagged as good for the Chicago Bears and their roster needs.
GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox know this coming draft might be the most important of their tenure together, so it’s imperative they get it right. That means pinpointing the best possible prospects that fit their schemes and systems. It’s just a matter of figuring out where their biggest needs are and then seeing if the board offers them any solutions.
Based on how the 2015 season ended, this is where the chart stands in terms of Bears roster needs from highest to lowest.
- Defensive End
- Inside Linebacker
- Cornerback
- Offensive Line
- Safety
- Quarterback
- Outside Linebacker
- Tight End
- Wide Receiver
- Running Back
There is no question the biggest problems that dogged Chicago throughout their season started in their defensive front seven. Too often it appeared outmatched by opposing offenses, especially on the ground where they allowed an average of 120.9 yards per game.
So far inside linebacker is your choice for No.1 need for the Chicago #Bears this offseason, come vote in the poll! https://t.co/uiaubWmNed
— Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. (@wiltfongjr) January 19, 2016
Part of the problem was inconsistency at both defensive end and inside linebacker, two of the biggest key positions to stopping the run. They were relying on a mix of cheap free agents, undrafted free agents and players converted from different positions to solve it. Suffice to say it didn’t work too well. Part of building successful scheme is finding the right players to fit them, and that takes time.
In spite of injuries the offensive line held up well enough most of the year but it was clear they have a number of issues, particularly at right guard where both Vladimir Ducasse and Patrick Omameh failed to impress. Tracy Porter is into his 30s now and a free agent at cornerback, leaving Kyle Fuller and the often-injured Bryce Callahan as the only other credible bodies at that position.
Adrian Amos was a pleasant surprise at free safety but he didn’t get much help from the other spot as Antrel Rolle dealt with injuries and nobody proved equal to filling in for him. Then there is the quarterback position. By all accounts Jay Cutler is safe after having the most efficient season of his career, but he turns 33 this year. The team has every reason to start thinking about the future.
For anyone who watched last night's #Packers game, Aaron Rodgers is a QB. In Cutler's best year, he doesn't compare. #Bears need to draft QB
— Darrell Horwitz (@DarrellHorwitz) January 17, 2016
Suffice to say every position on the roster has some level of need attached to it. Some are just more pressing than others. So how does this impact the big board? It’s time to find out. Here are the top 31 prospects who can help the Chicago Bears get better in 2016.
Next: The Board