After a free agency period many analysts consider underwhelming because of the team’s failure to fill the holes in the roster, the Chicago Bears can still salvage the offseason by doing it right in the 2017 NFL draft. The team owns seven picks in a draft that is widely viewed as potentially one of the best in recent years. The highest of these picks is the third overall, where the Bears have a lot of options on what to do with it.
Draft Deshaun Watson
The Clemson Tigers has just won the NCAA Football Championship by upsetting the highly touted Alabama Crimson Tide – and quarterback Deshaun Watson helped make it happen. His performance raised his draft stock, with many pundits suggesting that the Bears take a flyer on him.
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Obviously, Chicago would want to nab consensus number one pick Myles Garrett, but there is zero chance that they could. As consolation, the Bears could select Watson as their quarterback of the future, but ease him in slowly by having him back up free agent signee Mike Glennon.
Draft for another position
Unfortunately, quarterback is not the only roster need the Bears have to address. They currently have a lot of weaknesses in other positions, such as tight end, wide receiver, offensive tackle (both positions), and defensive end. The team can instead draft a prospect who can readily help the team at these positions.
Trade down
Historically, the third overall pick has brought so much value to many teams in the past, as illustrated by the NFL Draft Value Chart. The Bears could capitalize on it by offering the pick for a lower one plus other trade pieces, such as a veteran who can help right away or another draft pick.
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