The NFL draft has come and gone, and judging by the questions in Brad Biggs’ weekly Chicago Bears mailbag, readers aren’t impressed with the depth chart at wide receiver. Biggs answers those and other questions about the post-draft state of the Bears roster.
Some rumors out there the Bears aren’t sold on Justin Fields. How do you explain the lack of investment in O-line and receivers? Is it fair to expect that scheme and experience will help him make the jump they want to see from him? — @tn5280
I’m not sure you can change the minds of the people fueling this conspiracy theory after first-year general manager Ryan Poles used his first two draft picks on defensive backs. Poles chose not to overpay in free agency for what was largely middle-of-the-road wide receiver talent. He didn’t have the draft capital to swing a trade for one of the high-profile receivers who changed teams, and more importantly, the Bears aren’t at the stage where a big, bold move is the final item on their checklist. In terms of offensive linemen, the high-caliber ones are very expensive in free agency and most of the “name” players still out there are unsigned for a reason — their play has declined and they’re beat up a bit physically.
The hope at Halas Hall is a change in coaching staff, a new playbook and a year of experience will help Fields and the players around him improve. I don’t think a playbook change will do all of that because people placed way too much blame on former coach Matt Nagy and his staff for what happened offensively last year. I’m not going to defend them, but the NFL is more about Jimmys and Joes than X’s and O’s.
Poles said he would be careful in free agency and he was true to his word. The Bears believe Byron Pringle, signed to a one-year contract in free agency, can be a serviceable No. 2 wide receiver this season. As long as he’s healthy, he will surpass Allen Robinson’s numbers last season when he was slowed by injuries: 38 receptions, 410 yards and one touchdown. Perhaps Pringle can excel now that he’s not down the depth chart like he was with the Kansas City Chiefs.
As far as the offensive line goes, the Bears are probably not done yet. To get elite offensive tackles, you have to either pay a boatload in free agency or invest a very high draft pick. The Bears will see if last year’s rookies, Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins, pan out. They added center Lucas Patrick, who knows the playbook, and tried to pick up Ryan Bates at right guard. There’s a good chance they are on the lookout for a veteran to slot in at right guard.
The roster Poles inherited had needs across the board, and he wasn’t going to be able to fill them all in one offseason. Depending on how this season goes, it could be a challenge to get everything in place before the 2023 season.
The crowd that believes Poles and the new regime are not sold on Fields will have a tough time answering how it would benefit the Bears to set up the quarterback to fail. Poles will get only so many shots at solving the ongoing QB riddle at Halas Hall. His job will be infinitely easier if Fields looks substantially better this year. The roster is constantly evolving and the Bears are placing a good deal of faith in their new staff.
You make excellent points about the secondary needing to be fixed, and after the last couple of regimes drafted for need all too often, I’m going to give Ryan Poles the benefit of the doubt and say that his second-round picks were the right call. But only selecting one receiver with all of the remaining picks he accumulated? And Velus Jones Jr. looks to primarily be a special teams player? It’s pretty hard to believe there were no other receivers worth taking a shot at in a draft that was supposed to run deep for receivers. What are your thoughts? — David S., Los Angeles
That’s a fair question. If you would have told me before the draft that Poles would wind up with 11 picks, I would have guessed he would come away with more than one receiver. You do realize that if he had loaded up on wide receivers in the late rounds (the Bears wound up with eight of the final 94 picks), I would be getting a similar question from those fuming that Poles did not draft more offensive linemen.
Jones is really interesting to me because of his physical traits and his production at Tennessee last year: 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s far from polished, but if offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is as excited about this selection as has been described, it will be fascinating to watch how Getsy uses Jones.
Another thing I have said in previous mailbags is that Equanimeous St. Brown is an interesting signing for the Bears. He’ll have a head start with Getsy’s playbook and he’s a big target with top speed on the outside. St. Brown needs to prove he can be durable and dependable, but don’t dismiss the possibility he emerges this season.
Yes, the draft ran deep at receiver, but by the time the Bears had plenty of picks — late in Round 5 and on — you’re talking about guys with traits. Poles opted to go with linemen. We’ll see how they pan out.
Is the lack of early offensive picks on Day 2 a sign that Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus believe that most of the current offensive pieces are exactly what are needed? — @petermartuneac
I would not take that leap of faith. The Bears had significant needs in the secondary. They had one clear starter at cornerback in Jaylon Johnson and one clear starter at safety in Eddie Jackson. So you’re talking about major needs at key positions on both sides of the ball. The way the draft fell, specifically the first round and start of the second, some high-caliber defensive backs were available. Had wide receivers or offensive linemen fallen, I’m sure we might have seen Poles go the other direction and take two offensive players with his first three picks. As it was, they went the other way. You can argue the Bears didn’t get the offensive help they needed out of the high picks. You cannot dispute they had pressing needs in a secondary that performed poorly last season.
What about another defensive lineman? Matt Eberflus said he wants to play in waves but they simply don’t have the depth to do that right now. Maybe Larry Ogunjobi will still come on board? Thoughts? — @billhol54685080
The Bears no doubt will be active monitoring the market for available veterans and players cast off by other teams. I would earmark the defensive and offensive lines as positions to watch closely. I agree they need more additions on the defensive line, but it’s also a situation for some younger players to step forward. As for Ogunjobi, I’ve answered this multiple times and more people have inquired: I highly doubt he would have interest in joining the Bears after they nixed the original agreement because of a failed physical. Never say never in the NFL, but I’d be surprised if those sides came together again.
Do you see the Bears adding a WR like Jarvis Landry or even taking a cheap flier on Will Fuller to the WR room? Or is Landry’s asking price and being strictly a slot WR a deterrent? And Fuller’s injury history? If not them, who then? — @jtbarczak
Landry is seeking a major payday, and that doesn’t seem like the kind of move the Bears are willing to make. Fuller is a vertical stretch guy, and the Bears have a couple of players on the roster who can do that. Adding Landry would not be the difference between success and failure for the Bears offense this season. As I said above, the Bears are confident Byron Pringle can be an adequate No. 2 receiver. Maybe they will stay in the hunt for a wide receiver, but I’d remain focused on the lines right now.
In your view, how does the Bears WR corps look after the draft? Outside of Darnell Mooney, it looks pretty dreadful to me. — @danielkirshbaum
It’s not great, but a longer view of the roster is required. There was no way Poles and Eberflus would have their depth chart looking like they want it before this season begins. I believe the Bears will look significantly different at the start of the 2023 season. There’s still time for changes and there could be some good surprises in the season ahead. I think it’s a positive to give third-round pick Velus Jones an opportunity to learn on the job. Why sign a veteran who is more ready and limit Jones’ playing time? Throw him in and see what he can do. Will wide receiver be a high priority entering next offseason? That’s very possible. But there was no way to fix everything in one offseason.
How many of this year’s draftees do you believe will significantly contribute in three years? — @rvwr1
That’s difficult to say as eight of the Bears’ 11 selections came in the final 94 picks. They were going for traits and upside with those selections. Obviously they hope cornerback Kyler Gordon, strong safety Jaquan Brisker and wide receiver Velus Jones develop as core players. After that, defensive end Dominique Robinson and running back Trestan Ebner are interesting selections. Robinson is super raw, but the Bears believe they can develop his pass-rushing skills. Ebner should slot in immediately on special teams and might get some time in the backfield. Of the four offensive linemen the Bears drafted, they will be lucky if one pans out.
What will the starting LB group be at the start and end of training camp? — @bigiant9
Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow are almost certain to be the starters in the middle and on the weak side. What we don’t know is who will be in each slot. The coaching staff hasn’t offered a hint in that regard. It’s a little bit of a mystery who will be on the strong side, but remember Eberflus said the Bears could be in their nickel defense up to 80% of the time, so don’t expect the Sam linebacker to get a ton of playing time. Jeremiah Attaochu is a candidate to play that role. It’s also possible the team will add a veteran before the end of camp.
A better secondary could help Justin Fields because the Bears would not be playing from behind so often and subject to constant blitzes. Your thoughts? — @chriscremer9
Poles made that very point when he talked about the big picture and how helping the team improve will help every area. I don’t know if a better secondary would mean Fields will face fewer blitzes. If the Bears are struggling to protect Fields, the opponent will be dialing up pressure. If the Bears can play better defense, play with a lead more often and run the ball more consistently, they certainly will face fewer pressures.
How many potential starters are we thinking from the draft? I’m hoping three. — @jasonloetterie
Looks to me like the Bears have two Day 1 starters in cornerback Kyler Gordon and strong safety Jaquan Brisker. In the long run, the best-case scenario might be getting four starters from the draft. Three would be OK, though, if you’re talking about a solid starter and not a stopgap option.
Do you think the Bears will receive compensatory draft picks in 2023? I know the formula isn’t exact, but given the Allen Robinson signing with the Los Angeles Rams, is there a chance Bears get a free pick or picks? — @themaxconnor1
The formula for compensatory picks is exact — it’s just not known. Right now, it does not look like the Bears will get a compensatory pick in 2023, according to overthecap.com. It’s possible that could shift and they get awarded a late pick. The Bears over the last decade-plus have been one of the worst teams in terms of benefiting from comp picks.
How poorly did the Bears draft? Why not take an OL and DL and a polished WR with the first three picks? — @adam_ragel
We haven’t even seen these players on the field yet for rookie minicamp, which will happen this weekend. Who did you have in mind to start opposite Jaylon Johnson at cornerback and next to Eddie Jackson at safety? As I said above, you can make a valid case the Bears didn’t get enough help on the lines or at receiver in the draft. You can’t say they didn’t need help in the secondary.
Here’s one thing a GM told me a couple of years ago. Let’s say defensive line is a major need and the team selects a tight end in the second round. In two years, the only thing that will matter about the pick is if the tight end is a bona fide player. If he is, it’s a good pick. If he’s not, it’s a bad pick. If the Bears had proper value when setting their board and then following it, they should be OK.
Ryan Poles probably didn’t go into the draft thinking he’d draft a punter, but since he did, why not use one of the earlier “I hope this lottery ticket pans out” picks on the Punt God instead? — @hickeymj
The Buffalo Bills drafted San Diego State punter Matt Araiza in the sixth round, and he was the third punter chosen. So despite his nickname, he wasn’t exactly a “Punt God” for NFL personnel who evaluate punters. One thing I was told is that while Araiza has a booming leg, he too often kicks line-drive punts that lack adequate hang time.
Scouting is critical to a team’s success. What is the average number of scouts per NFL team? How many do the Bears employ? — @fjhscranton
Including pro scouts, the Bears had 19 last season, which sits right about at the league average after I chatted with a few scouts from different teams. Poles is in the process of tweaking his staff. Pro scouting director Jeff King was promoted Tuesday to co-director of player personnel. The Bears are not bringing back college scouting director Mark Sadowski, and a few area scouts could be shuffled around.
The quality of the scouts a team employs is more significant than the quantity. The Bears surely will feel good about their group when Poles has finalized it. Keep in mind, the Cincinnati Bengals are notorious for having far and away the smallest scouting staff in the NFL. They are the defending AFC champions.
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