Chicago Bears: Prospect Visits Are Focused On Trenches

Predicting where the Chicago Bears will go with their #8 overall pick is tough. Several different prospects are worthy of going at that spot.

Then again GM Ryan Pace has a flair for the theatrics. He seems to take a special delight in surprising people. Either way, it can often be visualized where a draft direction is headed by the first pick. When the Bears took Mitch Trubisky #2 overall last year, it seemed like skill positions were the focus. That was proven true as tight end (Adam Shaheen), safety (Eddie Jackson), and running back (Tarik Cohen) were the picks to follow.

Hard to argue with the focus. All four players made decent contributions in an otherwise forgettable season for the Bears. So what can Pace and his new coaching staff do to make their lives easier moving forward? Well, the cliche but all too true statement is:  it all starts up front. Chicago has questions on both the offensive line and defensive front seven. Unless they’re strong in those areas, their fancy new weapons and returning secondary can hope to reach their maximum potential.

This might explain why the Bears have focused many of their pre-draft visits in those areas.

Bears could be planning to bulk up their lines early

James Daniels is a tough customer, per usual coming out of Iowa. He’s a strong run blocker and doesn’t back down from anybody in pass protection. He should be a starter right away when drafted. This could be great news for the Bears. They’re trying to fill the void left by Josh Sitton who was released earlier this off-season. The could move Cody Whitehair to guard where he has played well in the past and plug Daniels in at center to give them a formidable three-man interior with a healthy Kyle Long.

Then there’s Arden Key. This is a player who is flirting with that “million dollar body, ten cent brain” territory. That’s not to say he’s dumb. He isn’t. He’s just made some questionable decisions and can suffer from maturity issues. His game is also sloppy. Yet when he gets the motor revved up his athleticism, explosion, length, and power make him look like one of the most frightening pass rushers in the entire class. Can Vic Fangio get him pointed in the right direction?

Next: Chicago Bears 2018 Mock Draft: Answering The Patriots Call

Look at it this way. If he could do it for Aldon Smith, there’s no reason to think he can’t for Key.