In typical years, most talk around the NFL draft goes to those teams picking quarterbacks. This year, the conversation has changed. Though it seems like the Titans will select Miami QB Cam Ward first, the more interesting picks are happening later in the first round and in the draft altogether.
The Chicago Bears are right in the thick of things with four high picks: 10th (first round), 39th (second round), 41st (second round), and 72nd (third round).
At 10th, the Bears are destined to draft a Day 1 starter, most likely an offensive or defensive lineman. NFL.com's Bucky Brooks divided the elite prospects into categories: All-Pros (players that will rank in the top 5 of their position in the next two to three years), Pro-Bowlers (top 10 in the next two to three years), Red Stars (players that will outperform their draft status).
All-Pros are your top five picks and doubtful to fall to the Bears. Think edge rusher Abdul Carter or RB Ashton Jeanty. Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker is also listed as an All-Pro and could fall to the Bears to beef up their pass rush.
More likely, the Bears will see some of the so-called Pro-Bowlers fall to number 10. LSU OT Will Campbell, Missouri OT Armand Membou, and Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell could all fit the bill.
We can't dismiss the rumors that the Bears could go for more offensive power like tight end, for instance, Michigan's Colston Loveland or Penn State's Tyler Warren. Without Jeanty's availability, could the Bears go for running backs like North Carolina's Omarian Hampton or Arizona State's Cam Skattebo.
These possibilities don't seem likely. Though much has been written about chasing needs instead of just grabbing the best player available, the Bears have the luxury to do both: grab a superstar that they need.
The offensive tackle position is not very deep in this draft which means it might have to be a Draft Day 1 action item. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah said as much, "If you are dead-set on getting an offensive tackle and you want to get your long-term left tackle, you’re going to want to do that with your first pick."
Meanwhile, edge rushers, pass rushing linebackers, and defensive lineman are deep and high quality can be found in the second round. Looking at the middle of Jeremiah's top 150 prospects, we see names like Marshall's Mike Green, Georgia's Mykel Williams, Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart, Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Tennessee's James Pearce, Jr. Defensive tackles can also be found all over the list.
Jeremiah likes the second round for pass rushers as well, "If they (Chicago Bears) want to reinforce the defensive line, get an edge rusher, to me a sweet spot for them would be pick 39 for an edge rusher. That's a great area to find that guy."
All signs point to going after the offensive tackle position for the first round pick. But if Campbell or Membou are not available, things get trickly. Should the Bears settle for Texas' Kelvin Banks or Ohio State's Josh Simmons? That feels like chasing needs and you still have Braxton Jones under contract for one more year.
Trading down to grab more picks could still net you one of the top tight ends, a Banks or Simmons at tackle, or Hampton at running back. Skattebo will probably be available in the second round. General Manager Ryan Poles said recently, "We’ll definitely weigh the option of, ‘Hey, if we can move back and collect a certain pick in this range, could that be really beneficial for us as well. So, yeah, that’ll be in play.”
As the saying goes, the plan goes out the window once the battle starts. The plan seems to be offensive tackle but depending on picks from teams like the Patriots or Jets who also could use offensive lineman, anything could happen.
The only thing we know for sure is that we'll know for sure on Thursday night.