The Bears are not where they had hoped to be in this year’s draft. After all, the idea in the NFL is to move away from the top pick and the Bears went from No. 9 last year to No. 8 this year.
But the issue now becomes one of what the Bears can do with their situation. Can they turn the negative into a positive in the form of a franchise-lifting player, and whom will it be?
A number of college underclassmen helped the Bears substantially this week when they declared themselves eligible for the April 21-22 draft. Because of juniors coming out last year–Lavar Arrington, Plaxico Burress and Jamal Lewis were among the top eight picks–Brian Urlacher fell to the Bears at No. 9.
Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick and Michigan wide receiver David Terrell are unlikely to be available past the first five picks. But their entry into the draft potentially leaves two other top talents on draft boards, bumping them closer to the Bears.
The Bears’ decision will hinge on whether they perceive one need so clearly above others that it has to be addressed no matter what, as was the case with running back Curtis Enis in 1998 and quarterback Cade McNown in 1999.
Two areas were identified by mid-2000 as the most critical: wide receiver and defensive line. Of the two, receiver loomed larger as the season ended, coach Dick Jauron declaring simply that the Bears need to score more points. They invested their two top picks and three free-agent signings last off-season to defense, and circumstances make defense less likely this year for the No. 1 pick.
Running back was a concern early last season until James Allen established himself as a 1,000-yard rusher with a 4.5-yard average.
The real question at this spot involves who becomes the Bears’ offensive coordinator. Enis is a restricted free agent who was given no place in the offense of Gary Crowton but could be a fit with a coordinator such as Joe Pendry, who favors power running and big backs to do it. The performance of Allen, also a restricted free agent, has confirmed he has a place in the NFL.
“I don’t know if he’s upper-echelon, but he’s a pretty good back,” personnel chief Mark Hatley said.
The Bears invested three third-round picks to receiver over the last two drafts and none of the picks proved adequate when Bobby Engram tore a knee ligament. Add to that Eddie Kennison’s free-agent status and Marcus Robinson finishing the season on injured reserve with a back problem and the Bears have a real need at a position that once appeared overstocked with developing talent.
“We just didn’t get the production we need there,” Jauron said. “We saw some young players develop I thought in the last game particularly.
“We saw what we’ve been talking about from Marty Booker. He has potential for us, obviously. He had a 40-plus-reception season, but he’s better than that.”
With Mike Wells undergoing shoulder surgery and he and Jim Flanigan both turning 30 this year, defensive tackle is the Bears’ other top priority.
Re-signing Bryan Robinson, who played both end and tackle, is important because it gives the Bears options going into the draft. Without Robinson, the need is for an end.
Fortunately, defensive line is one of the deeper areas of the 2001 draft. Indeed, because of that and the addition of certain juniors, the Bears will have choices at No. 8 no matter what teams above them do.
