Chicago Bears Draft: 3 mistakes to avoid in first round
By Ryan Heckman
The Bears should not draft a defensive back early.
If I am Pace, I know how hard I’ve worked putting this secondary together — especially the likes of Kyle Fuller. Keeping Fuller and Prince Amukamara was a highly underrated pair of moves for the Bears. To go along with them, Adrian Amos and Eddie Jackson are two young safeties locked and loaded as starters.
Even at slot, you have a guy like Bryce Callahan who is money when he’s healthy. Don’t believe me? Go google his name along with “Pro Football Focus” and see what you find. You won’t be disappointed. Here’s a taste.
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/966164585677049857
Look, I get it. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a straight up baller. He is versatile. He can play multiple positions. He is a playmaker. The kid is going to be a great pro wherever he goes, but it won’t be on the Bears — at least it shouldn’t be. If I feel this strongly about Fitzpatrick, then don’t even ask me about Derwin James, Denzel Ward or Josh Jackson — let alone anybody else in that category.
Pace has much more pressing needs than worrying about the secondary in the first round. His starters are set in stone barring any serious injuries. Not to mention, there is a large amount of defensive backs already on the roster. Bringing back Sherrick McManis and Marcus Cooper to go along with Fuller, Amukamara and Callahan gives the Bears five corners on the roster who likely won’t be going anywhere.
Pace can’t afford to make the mistake of going secondary in the first round. There are several late-round guys who can be developed into roster-worthy players. The first round is not the time or place to go after any position in the secondary — period.