2017 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears can look to Atlanta Falcons for help in first round

With the 2017 NFL Draft coming on Thursday, the Chicago Bears prepare for one of the franchise’s most important in quite a while. They can look at what the Atlanta Falcons did years ago to help them make their first-round choice.

It’s almost here. The 2017 NFL Draft occurs on Thursday, and the fate of some of the top prospects, along with the teams that draft them, become known. The first-round is just the beginning of one of the most important drafts in Chicago Bears history. They are trying to reverse six seasons of no playoff berths, and the last four seasons of losing records, including a 3-13 record last season.

General manager Ryan Pace’s time in Chicago may depend on what happens in this draft. If this draft doesn’t work out and there isn’t some sense of improvement on the field, don’t expect him to remain general manager.

The biggest choice for many is of course who they get in the first round. Normally, the first-round selection is a player the team feels can make an impact on the team. Pace has a 50/50 score in his first two drafts. His first one, wide receiver Kevin White, missed most of the past two seasons due to injuries. Hopefully, he stays injury-free this season and shows the reason many scouts coveted him in 2014.

Pace’s second selection was a pretty good one, even though some questioned it at the time. He moved up to select outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. Many felt Floyd was too small for the NFL, but the Bears put him on a weight program and he had a very good rookie season.

Now we are in Pace’s third draft. Drafting this high (third overall), he has a good pool to choose from. The question is, what is his priority?

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Different mocks have a variety of positions taken in the first round for the Bears. There is Jonathan Allen at defensive line, Jamal Adams at safety, Marshon Lattimore at cornerback, and Deshaun Watson at quarterback.

Yes, Deshaun Watson.

Some say the Bears don’t need to pick a quarterback early. They signed Mike Glennon to a nice big contract, so why waste a pick on a quarterback? Besides, there are questions about Watson, as there are about all the quarterbacks in this class. Next year’s class, people say, has a better choice to go through.

Well, how confident would YOU be with Glennon? And when you look at it, as much attention that is given to these prospects, they found many negatives on Joe Montana and Dan Marino, yet look at how they played.

More mocks have the Bears choosing a quarterback on Thursday, even if it isn’t Watson. Some have Mitch Trubisky possibly being the selection.

The Chicago Bears could look at the Atlanta Falcons for help?

The Bears could look at the Atlanta Falcons for help in the first round.

Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune drew comparisons between the 2008 Atlanta Falcons and this year’s Bears. The Falcons came off a disappointing 4-12 season. The front office was led by the young Thomas Dimitroff (working his first draft).

There were questions about Ryan’s arm. Was it NFL-worthy? Scouts questioned his interception total (19). However, the Falcons loved Ryan’s competitive spirit and toughness. The Falcons also loved how Ryan took charge and led his team to victory.

Does all that sound familiar?

It comes down to who Pace and the Bears feel is their best fit. If it is a quarterback, then so be it. Pace talked about what he wants in a quarterback, and it sounded an awful lot like Watson.

Next: Bears speak to Deshaun Watson

Whoever Pace and the Chicago Bears select on Thursday night, expect a lot of talk about it. Hopefully, we all look back at that pick (whoever it is) with the same smile the Falcons have when they think about Matt Ryan.

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