Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace Is Facing Ghosts of His Past

The situation is rather eerie. Three years ago, Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace found himself around this same spot. The lower half of the top 10.

He held the 7th pick in 2015. Now he holds the #8 pick. Back then it was his first ever draft pick. He knew he had to get it right. Get his career off to the right start. His first choice? Bold. West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White came with a wealth of athletic talent. He was big 6’3″ and ran a blistering 4.35 at the scouting combine. However, there were some reservations. He’d only played one year of major college football at a Division I level. He was still raw.

Some felt it would’ve been wiser for Pace to go with a more proven prospect. In this case pass rusher Vic Beasley. The Clemson product had three years of experience during which he racked up 30 sacks. His lean, athletic frame and explosiveness made him a perfect fit for the new 3-4 defense Vic Fangio was preparing to install. Pace didn’t bite. He was a man who favored the quarterback first after all. White was selected and Beasley went to the Falcons at #8.

Looking back it may still be Pace’s greatest draft blunder to date. White has played in just five games, suffering three season-ending injuries. Beasley has 24.5 sacks in his first three years and made All-Pro in 2016.

Pace has a chance to find redemption in the 2018 draft

Now here the Bears are. They haven’t had a winning season yet under Pace. Beasley helped the Falcons reach the Super Bowl. Chicago also continues to have pass rush issues on top of that. Perhaps a fitting punishment for what, in hindsight, looks like an obvious bad call. The good news is Pace may have a shot to correct that mistake if he’s willing to pull the trigger.

It seems rather fitting. The Bears hold the 8th pick, the same one that got Beasley three years ago. Now a young pass rusher emerges in this class who is widely compared to the Falcons star. That is Harold Landry of Boston College. Everything from the college production to the tape and even the measurements line up.

Beasley:

• 6’3″
• 246 lbs
• 32 1/2 inch arms
• 30 sacks
• 48 tackles for loss
• 7 forced fumbles

Landry:

• 6’3″
• 252 lbs
• 32 7/8 inch arms
• 25 sacks
• 48 tackles for loss
• 10 forced fumbles

Next: Chicago Bears: 2018 Schedule Win-Loss Predictions

Players aren’t the same but it’s hard not to look at that and think Landry doesn’t have a bright NFL future. If Beasley can do it, why can’t he? There’s no doubt he’d fit well in the Bears’ 3-4 defense under Vic Fangio and instantly eases what is by far their biggest need at the edge rush position. So the question must be laid down again. Will Pace listen to common sense or will he repeat what he did three years ago, going for the bold upside? Only he knows for sure.