A little insight to the Bears War Room

While it's tough to get a definitive read on what Phil Emery is to do given his brief history as an NFL General Manager, there is a little writing on the wall.  Based on his 1 draft as Bears GM, his history as head scout for the Chiefs and Falcons, and his general personality, I think there are a few things that can help Bears fans kind of know what to expect come draft weekend.

1. Linebacker 1st pick?  The Bears have brought in nearly every LB projected in the top 2 rounds for a private workout.  Arthur Brown, Alec Ogletree, Jon Bostic, Manti Te'o, and Khaseem Greene have or will all have worked out for the Bears at Halas Hall this pre-draft season.  After losing Brian Urlacher and Nick Roach, and only signing 2 guys on 1-year deals, it's well known that the Bears are targeting a LB at some point in this draft.  These visits show the Bears are probably getting one very early in the draft.  If not at 20, then after a trade down or at the latest, with the 50th overall pick in the 2nd round.  Last year, Emery employed the same strategy before the 2012 draft.  The Bears made it clear that they were going after a pass rusher early, bringing in guys like Chandler Jones, Bruce Irvin, Quinton Coples, Nick Perry, and Whitney Mercilus for private workouts.  Emery ultimately selected Shea McClellin with the 19th pick. 

So, on one hand, the Bears are again keying on 1 position first and foremost in the draft.  But on the other, could this be a smokescreen?  It's pretty clear that Emery had his sights set on Bruce Irvin in the 1st, only to have Seattle take him a few picks before them.  Even if the Bears don't go LB with their 1st pick, I'd imagine they'll take one early just based on who they've brought in.  While I do think a smokescreen is possible, Emery doesn't seem like a guy that is into playing these types of games.  Like with McClellin last year, Emery is probably OK with his 2nd or 3rd choice at LB and doesn't care if the world knows it because he's going to get a player he likes either way.  Thinking Ogletree is the ideal target, but I think he'd be OK with Te'o.

2. Watch out for WR early.  Emery has drafted or influenced the drafting of several WRs.  Most recently, the Bears took Alshon Jeffery.  Before that Emery heavily influenced the pick of Jon Baldwin in KC.  And his claim to fame is Roddy White in Atlanta.  What those guys have in common is that they were all selected in the top 3 rounds (can throw in Laurent Robinson and Harry Douglas also).  Emery has mentioned getting a guy to stretch the field at WR in this draft, but most people have assumed that means a late round target.  But I think the WR option is wide open as early as 20, as I don't think the Bears can pass on getting Cutler a dynamic playmaker like Tavon Austin or Cordarelle Patterson, if available.  In the 2nd-3rd rounds (if the Bears can trade for a 3rd), there are several other options the Bears could consider including Robert Woods, Markus Wheaton, and Ryan Swope among others.  With the hiring of an offensive head coach, you have to figure Emery is going to give him a new toy to play with early in the draft.

3. Trade down.  Emery has publicly stated that the #20 pick is for sale and the Bears are very willing to trade down for extra picks.  Not often does a GM come out and say he's looking to trade down and NOT actually do it.  Emery has stated he wants to have 6-8 players to choose from when he picks.  It's not too hard to figure out what teams behind you are targeting in the internet era.  So, assuming 3-4 of those players are on the board at 20, the Bears will undoubtedly trade back for an extra pick or 2 and still get someone from their original pool of players.  I could see the Bears trading back anywhere from Houston at 27 to the early part of the 2nd round by trading with one of the many teams that wanting to trade back into the 1st for a QB.

4. Height/Weight/Speed.  One thing I've quietly noticed about Emery is that he seems to really value freak athlete types.  Baldwin and Jeffery were both big 6-3 WRs who ran sub 4.5 40s, and Emery wanted Jeffery so much he traded up to get him.  Mentioned the Irvin interest before, he was the fastest pass rusher in the draft last year by far, and Emery was one of the few who gave him a 1st round grade.  When that didn't work out, Emery took the 3rd fastest....McClellin.  Emery also selected one of the top 3 fastest TE/FBs in Evan Rodriguez.  He took a 6-4 safety who ran in the 4.4s also in Brandon Hardin.  When in doubt, Emery will take the fastest or biggest freak of an athlete. 

5. Don't forget DLine.  When looking at mock drafts on the web and lists of the Bears team needs, everyone mentions LB and OL first and foremost.  Some have the Bears taking multiple linemen or linebackers (neither will happen).  All have them taking a CB based on the fact that 5 of the 6 on the roster are FAs after 2013.  All have them taking a WR based on Emery's comments.  But people are overlooking the DL.  While the Bears have a ton of FAs everywhere on the roster, the 2 best players on the DL could be ex-Bears at this time in 2014.  Henry Melton is still not signed long-term and Julius Peppers has a huge cap number that he didn't quite live up to in 2012.  If Melton walks and Pep is cut, there will be a huge hole in the front line of the defense.  The Bears could really use more of an interior pass rush as they appear to be losing Amobi Okoye and Israel Idonije, 2 very productive DTs in the last 2 years.  Emery has brought in players all over the field in free agency, but has strangely almost completely neglected a position where their best player is a FA after the year and the top backup at the position is a former UDFA (Collins).  DT is quietly probably the thinnest position on the roster.  The Bears have to take some depth at least here and potentially a starting caliber player early at the position.