Chicago Bears: Who’s on Ryan Pace’s draft list at No. 8?

Tier 2: Next men up

Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Roquan Smith

If Nelson is gone, which he very well could be, you need solid backup options.

Fortunately for the Chicago Bears, there are a few excellent consolation prizes that will be available at No. 8 in such a case.

While I know how much everyone loves their inside linebackers here in Chicago, I put James and Fitzpatrick ahead of Smith here because of their versatility as defensive backs.

Look: the game is played differently now than it was even 10 years ago. Offenses are spreading out and starting to embrace some more collegiate styles in addition to deploying more multifaceted weapons. As such, you need to chess pieces you can move around to counter dynamic skill players.

I’m not saying that Smith isn’t an exceptional, versatile linebacker who can handle a lot of different responsibilities, because he is. But again, look at this division. This isn’t the SEC. Teams aren’t looking to run it down your throat all the time. They want to throw.

As such, getting a player like James or Fitzpatrick, who can both play multiple defensive back positions, would be beautiful for the Bears. I could see either one of them taking over at safety long-term while possibly slotting in a corner as rookies.

In particular, James’ physical upside could help him dominate in a variety of roles. With the right coaching, he could be a Pro Bowler by next season.

And with Fitzpatrick, you have a Day 1 starter with intelligence and pre-existing chemistry with Eddie Jackson.

Of course, if the Bears took Smith, I wouldn’t be upset.

I don’t care how undersized he is. That young man can play football. And any team that takes him is getting a really good defender.

Plug him in next to Danny Trevathan, and this linebacker corps will be fast, mean and fun.