1. Find Value Elsewhere
Pace's best chance for doing this is to acquire an extra pick or two, even if one is a future pick. NFL teams chronically undervalue future picks, largely because front offices and coaching staffs worry about their longevity of employment. Pace and John Fox face no such concerns, so taking a 2017 pick back in a trade is no problem. Drafting the raw Floyd makes this path even more acceptable.
And while fans always want their teams to trade down, sometimes it isn't that easy. Thankfully for Pace, that's not the case this year, which brings us to...
2. Find a Starting Caliber Five-Technique Defensive End
This is where Pace has a chance to fulfil his first need, too. The second round is bursting with five technique talent. By my count, in order of preference, A'Shawn Robinson, Adolphus Washington, Austin Johnson, Jarran Reed, Chris Jones, and Jonathan Bullard all fit the bill. With just nine picks coming off the board before the Bears draft at #41 tonight, at least a couple of those players should be on the board at that time. If there's an opportunity for Pace to get back the fourth rounder he surrendered last night for moving down 5-10 spots, he has to consider the move.
I'm particularly fond of Robinson, so I'd love to see him come aboard. He may not project as a star, but he looks like a Day One starter who could solidify the line next to Eddie Goldman, freeing up the team's bevy of new linebackers to make plays. The 3-4 doesn't work without strong end play.
With all of that said...
3. Find the Most Talented Prospects
The Bears are at a spot in their development where impact should definitely trump need/fit. Thus, if the choice is Myles Jack versus Chris Jones, Jack should absolutely be the pick provided that his knee is workable.
Because I expect Jack to go at #32 to whichever team acquires Cleveland's pick, I'd like to see the Bears trade down in round two and select one of the defensive ends listed above while using their third round pick on a defensive back, unless...
4. If the Right Quarterback is Available, Scoop Him Up
To me, this only applies if Connor Cook or Christian Hackenberg miraculously slips to the third round.
Barring that, one of the defensive ends above in round two and a defensive back like corner Kalan Reed or ball hawk safety Kevin Byard would go a long way toward calming my nerves.
I'm particularly fond of Robinson, so I'd love to see him come aboard. He may not project as a star, but he looks like a Day One starter who could solidify the line next to Eddie Goldman, freeing up the team's bevy of new linebackers to make plays. The 3-4 doesn't work without strong end play.
With all of that said...
3. Find the Most Talented Prospects
The Bears are at a spot in their development where impact should definitely trump need/fit. Thus, if the choice is Myles Jack versus Chris Jones, Jack should absolutely be the pick provided that his knee is workable.
Because I expect Jack to go at #32 to whichever team acquires Cleveland's pick, I'd like to see the Bears trade down in round two and select one of the defensive ends listed above while using their third round pick on a defensive back, unless...
4. If the Right Quarterback is Available, Scoop Him Up
To me, this only applies if Connor Cook or Christian Hackenberg miraculously slips to the third round.
Barring that, one of the defensive ends above in round two and a defensive back like corner Kalan Reed or ball hawk safety Kevin Byard would go a long way toward calming my nerves.
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