Chicago Bears: Attempting A Ryan Pace Style Off-Season

Then comes the NFL draft. Easily the most important of Pace’s career thus far. There is no doubt he has to get this one right. Otherwise his job is very much in jeopardy come 2018. So what has become clear through his first two drafts? For one, he tends to go after the freaky athletic players in the 1st round as Kevin White and Leonard Floyd can attest. After that he tends to focus on solid, proven football players like Eddie Goldman, Cody Whitehair and Jordan Howard. The lingering question becomes:  where does the quarterback fit into this?

Here is a quick mock draft that follows these same guidelines.

1st Round:  Deshone Kizer (QB, Notre Dame)

This fulfills both the athleticism and quarterback requirements in one move. Kizer is a big, tough kid who shows the required smarts for the game. He can move really well for his size and has a cannon for an arm. The trick will be getting him to speed up the clock in his head, as well as his throwing motion. Both are part of the reason he takes too many hits.

2nd Round:  Justin Evans (S, Texas A&M)

If there is a 2017 version of Keanu Neal in this draft class, it’s Justin Evans. This kid has size, power and range that he uses to absolutely punish ball carriers that come in his area. A tone-setter. This would make one think he’s just a box safety, but he’s got underrated ball skills that prove he’s a player offenses must be aware of every single snap.

3rd Round:  Damontae Kazee (CB, San Diego State)

The name of the game for the Bears this coming year is turnovers. They only forced 11 in 2016. That means they need guys who know how to get more. A lot more. Damontae Kazee with a highway robber. Using his great instinct and hands he had seven INTs in his final year alone.

4th Round:  Jake Butt (TE, Michigan)

He was a threat to crack the 1st round earlier in the year. Unfortunately he suffered an ill-timed knee injury in the Orange Bowl. That will impact his stock, but likely won’t hurt his long-term outlook. Jake Butt is a strong two-way tight end who is a sturdy blocker while showcasing the hands and running ability to be a threat in the passing game as well.

4th Round (via BUF):  Montravius Adams (DT, Auburn)

Eddie Goldman still has high expectations, and for good reasons. He’s a force when healthy. The problem is he can’t stay that way. So the Bears have to think about bringing in more depth and competition at nose tackle. Montravius Adams is built much the same way. Big and powerful in the middle with a sneaky among of quickness as an interior pass rusher.

5th Round:  Adam Bisnowaty (OT, Pitt)

People continue to knock him for not being strong enough or athletic enough. Yet he’s one of the key blockers for one of the best offenses in college football. Adam Bisnowaty is a tough worker who just gets the job done. He’s not yet ready to start in the NFL, but once he adds more strength he’d make for a quality starter. Likely at the right tackle position.

7th Round:  Austin Rehkow (P, Idaho)

The Bears have been eyeing him at the East-West Shrine Game. Austin Rehkow is a rare commodity in that he can both punt and kick field goals. He kicked a 67-yarder once in high school and was 26-of-29 this past season. Given how mediocre Connor Barth and Pat O’Donnell have been, bringing him aboard could solve two problems in one shot.