Chicago Bears Draft: 3 ways Ryan Pace can nail first round

Ryan Pace has the opportunity to nail the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Here are a few ways how he can do it.

The Chicago Bears have the opportunity to surprise people this upcoming season if they have some success during the 2018 NFL Draft. Ryan Pace has done a great job, finally, over his fourth offseason with the team. Free agency went well, but the job is not done.

To skip any extra introductory fluff, I’ll dive right in. Pace has some holes to address — big ones. He decided to cut ties with veterans at a few positions, but none more important to his second-year quarterback than former Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton.

After releasing Sitton, the Bears immediately had a gap in their offensive line. Cody Whitehair could slide to either center or guard, giving Pace flexibility in the draft. Nonetheless, Pace needs to find a starter on the offensive line — period.

Pace also has holes to fill on defense. He needs to find a pass rusher badly. Speaking of cutting veterans, Pace decided it was best to move on from Pernell McPhee and Willie Young. He brought in Aaron Lynch and re-signed Sam Acho, but neither are dominant forces off the edge. Pace can potentially find that in a rookie.

Other holes the Bears need to fill throughout the draft include wide receiver, defensive end and inside linebacker. Where those needs will be met, though, is the biggest question. In what order will Pace decide to address the gaps in his roster? We’ll see.

As for the first round, the Bears’ no. 8 selection is all the rage among fans. Keep in mind, Pace goes deep into drafts and can find gems later on. But, the first-round selection is going to be crucial in setting the tone for the weekend. Here are a few ways the Bears could end up with a home run in the first round.