Pace says the Bears have eight players they're comfortable taking with the eighth pick
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There were no major revelations or bold proclamations from Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace heading into the draft.
"This time of year I think it's OK to be a little boring in these moments," Pace said Tuesday.
He's saving the excitement for when the draft starts on Thursday.
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears passes the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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In three seasons with the Bears, Benson had 1593 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, and his career really hit its stride in Cincinnati, where he had three straight seasons of 1000 or more rushing yards.
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After trading down in the 2006 draft, the Bears scored a hit with Olsen in 2007. He had a strong career with the Bears, hauling in 194 receptions for 1981 yards and 20 touchdowns in just four seasons, but he found greater success after the Bears traded him to Carolina following the 2010 season.
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Williams had an injury plagued career with the Bears, appearing in 57 games over the course of six seasons. He made a brief return after his first stint, and appeared in seven games in the 2014 season.
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The Bears traded their first round picks in the 2009 and 2010 drafts to the Denver Broncos in the swap that brought Jay Cutler to Chicago.
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Carimi spent just two seasons in Chicago, appearing in 18 total games. He also made stops in Tampa Bay and Atlanta before leaving the football world after the 2014 season.
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McClellin bounced around the field in his time with the Bears, playing as a defensive end and then as a linebacker. He registered 98 career tackles and seven and a half sacks during four seasons with the Bears.
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Long made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three NFL seasons, but has seen injuries derail him in recent years, missing a total of 14 games over the past two seasons.
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After the Bears opted not to pick up his fifth-year option, Fuller earned himself a big payday with a stellar 2017 season, with two interceptions and 22 passes defended in 16 games.
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The oft-injured White missed the entire 2015 season, and has played just five NFL games, with 21 catches for 193 yards to his credit.
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Floyd’s 2017 season was cut short by injury, but he has made an impact when he’s been on the field for the Bears, with 11.5 sacks and 47 total tackles in 22 games.
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In his rookie season, Trubisky started 12 games for the Bears, completing 59.4 percent of his passes for 2193 yards and seven touchdowns.
Pace has shown he's not afraid to make a bold move to get the player he wants. And with the No. 8 pick, the Bears have a chance to land a difference-maker whether they stand pat or make a trade.
Pace staked his reputation last year to Mitchell Trubisky when he traded up a spot with San Francisco to grab the quarterback he believes is the one to help energize a struggling franchise with the second pick.
In 2016, Pace moved up two spots with Tampa Bay to land outside linebacker Leonard Floyd at No. 9.
"I think when we identify a guy that we like — and there's unified vision in the building of a player that we want — I don't think we're ever afraid to go up and get that guy," he said.
"I'd rather do that and ensure we get that guy, than he goes right before you and everybody walks out of the draft room, you know, a little bit disappointed."
There has been plenty of disappointment at Halas Hall and Soldier Field in recent years.
The Bears have four straight last-place finishes in the NFC North and just one trip to the playoffs since the 2006 team's run to the Super Bowl.
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The 2018 NFL Draft will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington starting with Thursday's first round.
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Some drafts have Chubb going as high as second, but with the unpredictable nature of this year’s draft, the talented defensive end, who had 23 tackles for loss and 10 sacks this season, would be a great fit if the Bears can somehow snag him.
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Many draft boards have the Bears moving down and selecting the talented Davenport, who had eight and a half sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss last season. He is an intriguing prospect at any point in the middle of the first round, but could Pace actually grab him at eight?
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With 108 tackles and five and a half sacks in his final season with the Hokies, Edmunds could be a great pick-up at number eight. His commanding presence all over the field would greatly help the Bears’ defense, and would improve their depth considerably.
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Fitzpatrick is all over the place in terms of draft boards and mock drafts, but his talent is undeniable, as he had eight tackles for loss and seven defended passes last season with the Crimson Tide.
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The Bears’ secondary could still use some help even after the selection of Eddie Jackson, and James has some great talent, with 84 total tackles and two interceptions last season.
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The Bears are looking for linemen to help protect Mitchell Trubisky, and the athletic McGlinchey, who stands a towering 6-foot-8 and weighs 315 pounds, could be an ideal pairing with new offensive line coach Harry Hiestand.
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One of the most highly-coveted guards in recent draft history, Nelson would be an ideal fit with former Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand taking over the same position with the Bears.
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Ridley has slid down draft boards recently, as his lack of size has caused teams to view him as more of a slot receiver than as a bonafide downfield threat. He had 63 catches for 967 yards in a run-first Alabama offense, so he’s still got some good numbers despite that limitation.
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Getting more playmakers for Vic Fangio will be key in this year’s draft, and Smith could be a great addition. He had 137 tackles last season and six and a half sacks for the Bulldogs.
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With Kyle Fuller back in the fold, Ward could be a good complement on the other side of the field. He had 15 defended passes and a pair of interceptions last season for the Buckeyes, and also had a career-high 37 tackles.
Even so, they believe they have the quarterback in place to lift a struggling franchise.
They've spent the offseason trying to surround him with the pieces he needs to reach his potential, hiring offensive-minded coach Matt Nagy to replace John Fox and signing receiver Allen Robinson.
Now, they have another chance to land a major contributor. Whether they go for help on offense or a potential centerpiece on defense in the first round, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson and Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith would seem to fit.
Pace said the Bears have identified eight players they would be comfortable taking at No. 8. None are quarterbacks, though he believes a strong class this year works to Chicago's advantage.
Pace was also asked about the decision to let receiver Cameron Meredith sign with New Orleans. The team's leading receiver in 2016, he missed last season because of a knee injury.
Because the Bears tendered him at the low restricted free agent level, they did not get any compensation from the Saints.
"Obviously he was coming off an injury," said Pace, who worked in New Orleans' front office before the Bears hired him as GM in 2015.
"We lean on our training staff and our docs. Hey, I've got a lot of respect for Cam and a lot of respect for the organization he went to (Saints). We wish him luck."
Pace also said the Bears will decide whether to pick up receiver Kevin White's fifth-year option after the draft.
It seems unlikely they will, considering the West Virginia product has been limited to just five games since Chicago selected him with the No. 7 pick in 2015.
"Right now it's all focused on the draft," Pace said. "Then once the draft's over, we'll meet with him and his agent and make that decision."
