2017 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears’ Ryan Pace mystifies opponents and fans alike

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace mystified fans and other teams alike with the moves he made during the 2017 NFL Draft.

The 2017 NFL Draft is finally over. The dust settled and we take a look at what happened over the weekend. One of the things we see is the confusion created by Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace.

This was a very important draft for the Bears. after a 3-13 record in 2016 and several losing seasons, pressure was high on the team to turn things around. Having high picks in each round was thought to be helpful in making that happen.

What happened instead was a trail of “What did the Bears do?” uttered by fans, other teams, and analysts. They traded up, down, and back up. On a team with many holes, they needed as many draft picks as possible. They started out the draft with seven picks but ended up making just five.

The most confusing move Pace made was trading a small treasure to move up just one spot in the first round. With that pick, they selected quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. They gave up this year’s third and fourth round picks, along with next year’s third round pick.

When the San Francisco 49ers agreed to the deal, they felt that Pace might go after defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, the 49ers’ choice.

Peter King of the Monday Morning Quarterback was in the draft war room with the 49ers. He wrote about how the deal with the Bears went down:

"The Bears agreed. They’d give two third-round picks and a fourth-rounder to move up one spot.“Man, who do they want?” Lynch said. “Gotta be Solomon, right?”“Call me crazy,” Marathe said. “But I think it’s Trubisky.”“Then why’d they go get [free-agent quarterback Mike] Glennon?” Lynch said."

No, the Bears did not get Thomas. Trubisky was the man Pace coveted. When the commissioner made the announcement, just about everyone gasped. Two picks into the draft, and Pace shocked the NFL.

Second round, another trade, and another shock

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Pace wasn’t finished yet. On the next night, he traded down in the second round. He picked up some draft picks, getting back fourth and sixth round picks this year and a fourth for next year. Also, he gave up his seventh round pick of this year.

That pick was probably more controversial than Trubisky. Pace picked up tight end Adam Shaheen. Shaheen played for Ashland in Division II. So, in the first round, he picked a developmental player, then a developmental player in the second round. Those are two of the most important rounds in the draft.

Shaheen looks good, but that was against lower-talented players. He needs to make a big jump. Yes, many small school players have made that jump, but add the pressure of a winning team that hasn’t done much winning lately, and that is a recipe for problems.

In addition to having developmental players, Pace got players in positions that are already filled. They signed Mike Glennon to be the starter at quarterback, and they have both Zach Miller and Dion Sims at tight end. Not exactly filling holes so far.

Another pick, another trade

After skipping the third round because he traded the pick, Pace made another trade to make the fourth round pick. The Bears moved up and gave up their sixth-round pick to select safety Eddie Jackson.

In a draft heavy in good defensive prospects, the Bears finally got a defensive player in the FOURTH round. Wait, however. While Jackson is a safety, he has better value as a punt returner. Oh, and he’s recovering from a broken leg. Does that sound familiar?

Also, in the fourth round, the Bears selected North Carilina A&T running back, Tarik Cohen. Yes, another running back, one who weighs 178 pounds.

Pace picked offensive lineman with his final pick in the fifth round. Jordan Morgan is another Division II player who needs to make a big step up in the pros. Additionally, while he is a tackle, most scouts project him to move over to guard to have any success.

So let’s recap this draft:

1. The Bears started with seven picks and ended up with five.
2. Of the five picks made, THREE of them come from non-FBS schools.
3. With needs at safety, cornerback, tackle, defensive line and safety, they pick quarterback, running back, tight end, and a tackle who will probably move to guard, and a safety who will probably play more as a punt returner.

This draft left just about everyone scratching their heads. Pace has his vision of what he wants the Bears to look like, but at this point only HE understands what that vision is, unlike what Theo Epstein of the Chicago Cubs. Confused fans quickly become angry fans if they don’t see either victories or evidence of moving in the right direction.

Next: Pace crafts his own vision for Bears

One thing we know for sure, this draft will either make Pace, or break Pace. It’s still early, but it’s difficult to see how this will end well.