The Bear’s Den, May 2, 2018

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Rosenbloom: Bears' offensive line plan seems pretty smart - Chicago Tribune - It seems curious for the Bears to spend a second-round draft pick on the top-rated center in the draft and immediately move him out of that position. But as unfamiliar as it might seem, it makes sense for Mitch Trubisky.

Wiederer & Campbell: Why Roquan Smith will be the Bears' heartbeat and what that means for their defense - Chicago Tribune - Linebacker Roquan Smith, the Chicago Bears' first-round draft pick, will be the defense's heartbeat. In Real Talk, Dan Wiederer and Rich Campbell examine what he will provide a top-10 unit and the locker room as a whole.

With draft complete, what does Bears depth chart look like? - Chicago Tribune - What would the Bears' depth chart look like if the season started today? Here’s a position-by-position look at what’s in place and what’s to come. Ken's Note: WARNING, SLIDE SHOW

Chicago Bears Draft Recap & Analysis: Part One (JJ Stankevitz) - Da Bears Brothers Podcast - Listen as Da Bears Brothers are joined by NBC Sports Chicago's JJ Stankevitz and recap the Bears' 2018 Draft Class.

Talarico: Meet Anthony Miller - The Receiver That Makes Matt Nagy's Offense 'Dangerous' - Da Bears Brothers - The Chicago Bears made an aggressive move when they traded up for the talented wideout in the second round. Here's why he takes the offense's potential to the next level.

Stankevitz: The five Bears players impacted the most by the NFL Draft - NBC Sports Chicago - For some players, the NFL Draft is a necessary evil that leads to less job security. So who on the Bears will be impacted the most by the 2018 draft?

Stankevitz: What should the Bears expect from Kylie Fitts in 2018? - NBC Sports Chicago - Not many sixth rounders make significant pass-rushing impacts in their rookie seasons. But Kylie Fitts will have an opportunity to do just that in 2018.

Cox: NFL.com projects Roquan Smith as Top 5 rookie in 2018 - Bears Wire - NFL.com ranked the Top 100 rookies for 2018, and they slotted new Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith in at No. 5.

Perez: 4 free agents the Bears should pursue following 2018 NFL Draft - Bears Wire - A look at four free agents the Chicago Bears should pursue now that the 2018 NFL Draft is over

Lunch with Larry: 5.1.18 - ChicagoBears.com - Bears Senior Writer Larry Mayer breaks down the Bears draft class and where the team is headed from here in his Q&A with fans.

9 questions to test what you know about Bears draft picks - ChicagoBears.com - How well do you know the seven players the Bears selected in the NFL Draft? Take this quiz and find out.

Mayer: Nagy sending message with motivational art - ChicagoBears.com - Bears first-year coach Matt Nagy collaborated with GM Ryan Pace to create motivational messages along with catchy graphic art on the hallway walls at Halas Hall.

Wood: Reflections on the 2018 NFL Draft Haul - Da Bears Blog - Before the draft, I looked in-depth at Ryan Pace’s draft trends from 2015-17 and used them to make predictions for what would happen in 2018. Well, it turns out Pace’s approach changed a good bit this year. Let’s look at those identified trends to see which ones were and were not followed.

Dickerson: Roquan Smith projects as every-down LB in Chicago Bears' defense - ESPN - In his analysis of the Bears' draft class, ESPN NFL Insider Matt Bowen said, "I don't think Roquan Smith ever comes off the field."

Chicago State hires former Bears, Notre Dame DT Chris Zorich as AD - ESPN - Chicago native Chris Zorich, who played for Notre Dame and the Chicago Bears, was hired as Chicago State's athletic director.

Eurich: Top free agents the Bears can still target after the draft - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears can still find value in the free-agent market.

Eurich: Recapping who the Bears have lost this offseason - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears said goodbye to some big names this offseason.

Carr: Kirk Cousins, Allen Robinson among 10 best new additions - NFL.com - David Carr ranks the top 10 additions heading into next season, including free agents, trade acquisitions and rookies. Where does shiny new Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins rank?

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL's emphasis on helmet hits remains work in progress - NFL.com - The NFL wants to take helmet hits out of the game and has approved a new rule in March aimed at doing just that. The new helmet rule, however, is very much still a work in progress, Judy Battista writes.

KNOW THY ENEMY

NFL Top 100 of 2018: Packers land four players between 100 and 81 - Acme Packing Company - A pair of players still seem to be ranked too low, while the inclusion of one Packer is confusing based on his 2017 play.

Moritz Böhringer is back in the NFL - Daily Norseman - He’s on to Cincinnati

Reisman: A Lions player spent $1,600 on a helicopter to watch his brother get drafted - Pride Of Detroit - Brandon Chubb is a very good brother.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears 2018 NFL Draft - The grades are in - Windy City Gridiron - Taking a run through some of the expert grades on the Bears’ 2018 Draft class.

Zeglinski: 2018 Chicago Bears Draft - Ready to turn in for grading (winning) - Windy City Gridiron - With impact talent at the top and upside projects at the bottom, Ryan Pace’s Bears put together an ideal draft. Grading the incoming 2018 class.

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears sit with third-worst Super Bowl odds after 2018 NFL Draft - Windy City Gridiron - By most accounts, the Bears crushed this year’s draft. It means absolutely nothing to those in Las Vegas. Nor should it.

Politicalman: A good offense will help our pass rush. - Windy City Gridiron - I keep seeing all the hand wringing about the Bears pass rush. What most people should realize with a modern offense our defense will not be on the field as much. With rest those pass rushers...

Kinsley: Ryan Pace has built a Super Bowl window for the Chicago Bears - Windy City Gridiron - It's been one hell of an offseason for the Chicago Bears.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - Robert Zeglinski

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