Chicago Bears: Post-draft outlook for 2018 season

In the 2018 NFL Draft, Ryan Pace was able to select a mix of players that will provide both instant impact and high upside potential for the Chicago Bears.

As draft weekend approached, Ryan Pace had a lot to prove. Following the shocking trade up in 2017 for Mitchell Trubisky and the selection of small-school players Adam Shaheen and Jordan Morgan, Pace received immense criticism. To make matters worse, the latter two didn’t see the field much, if at all.

In 2017, Shaheen only started in seven games, logging a mere 12 receptions for 127 yards. Morgan, however, didn’t receive any regular season snaps as he was placed on the injured reserve on September 2, 2017.

Needless to say, fans are expecting to see more production on the field in 2018 from Pace’s fourth draft class. In case you were unable to tune in to the draft over the weekend, the Bears’ selections have been provided below:

Round 1, Pick 8 (No. 8 overall): Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Round 2, Pick 7 (No. 39 overall): James Daniels, C, Iowa

Round 2, Pick 19 (No. 51 overall, via Patriots): Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

Round 4, Pick 15 (No. 115 overall): Joel Iyiegbuniwe, LB, Western Kentucky

Round 5, Pick 8 (No. 145 overall): Bilal Nichols, DT, Delaware

Round 6, Pick 6 (No. 181 overall): Kylie Fitts, LB, Utah

Round 7, Pick 6 (No. 224 overall): Javon Wims, WR, Georgia

For avid draft fans, the first three selections by the Bears should be rather familiar names. As with any early round (1-2) draft pick, Smith, Daniels, and Miller should be the three players from this year’s class to expect the most on-field contributions from in year one.

Smith is regarded as one of, if not the best interior linebackers in this year’s class. He was a stud in college as his production reflected the impact he had on the Georgia Bulldog defense. The 2017 Butkus Award winner for the best linebacker in the country should have no problems fitting in to Fangio’s defensive system and should provide the most impact from day one out of any of the Bear’s draftees.

By Week 1, I expect Smith to start at ILB alongside Danny Trevathan, forming one of the better duos in the league at that position. This selection also provides more depth following the departure of Jerrell Freeman. In addition, the selection of Iyiegbuniwe and the announcement that he will provide further depth at ILB shores up this position and uncertainty going forward.

Pace’s Round 2 selection of Daniels was lauded by several national writers as the best value out of his seven selections. Ranked second on Mike Mayock’s positional rankings of interior lineman, Daniels slipped into the Bears’ arms in the early second round and should provide a solid impact on day one, like Smith.

In a recent press conference, Pace announced that Whitehair would be the team’s primary center while Daniels would be trained at guard and cross-trained as the backup center. The interior line of Daniels-Whitehair-Long appears to be set in stone, barring any major injuries. In addition, the versatility of Daniels to fill in as needed at center at a high level should prove to be valuable if the need presents itself.

Pace wasn’t done following the Daniels selection as he didn’t hesitate to move back up into the second round to take Anthony Miller. Deemed to be one of the best route runners in the class with amazing after-the-catch abilities, Miller provides added depth to a previously thin WR group. I project Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Miller to be the Bears’ top three wideouts going into Week 1, with depth coming from Kevin White and one/both of Josh Bellamy or Bennie Fowler.

The Bears also took a flyer on Javon Wims who should compete for a roster spot with Bellamy, Fowler, and a whole host of other fringe wideouts on the roster. Once a position of weakness, Pace has worked diligently this offseason to strengthen the wide receiver room to provide Trubisky with the best talent possible.

Finally, Pace’s fifth and sixth round selections provide intrigue and high developmental upside. Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic recently said this of these two selections (subscription necessary):

"Bilal Nichols can play any spot on the D-line and the Bears like his pass-rush potential. Kylie Fitts gives them a developmental edge rusher with tons of athleticism to tap if he stays healthy."

Next: Kylie Fitts: A diamond in the rough?

I believe that Pace nailed this draft on the head. There was a healthy balance of impact and upside amongst the seven selections and the Bears should be primed to move forward with less holes to fill, which is any general managers goal following draft weekend.