RADIO
Brandon Murchison's 2019 NFL Draft team previews moves on to the Chicago Bears. Will the second year under Matt Nagy provide some pop for fantasy? How will the backfield shake out between Tarik Cohen and Mike Davis? What impact will the rookies have on this team from a fantasy standpoint?
The first year under Matt Nagy led to a playoff berth for the Chicago Bears. The team rode a fantastic defense to wins while the progression of second-year QB Mitchell Trubisky didn't go as smoothly as hoped. His overall production was good but not great (3,223 yards and 27 total TDs). He continued to heavily reliant on pre-snap reads. If a defense did a good job of disguising coverage, Trubisky would force throws and make bad decisions. From a fantasy standpoint, Trubisky was a hard one to manage on a weekly basis. He had six games in which he finished the week as a Top 12 option, but on the weeks in which he didn't, he would be crippling in your lineup. Coming into his third year in the league, the second under Nagy, the hope is that Trubisky can make Goff level strides and take this passing attack to the next level. His value still only lies as a QB2 in fantasy and should only be drafted late in 2019.
As for his receivers, Allen Robinson had an up and down season but finished as the top targeted option. He is a wildcard in fantasy as he has the skill to be in the discussion as a high-end WR2, but is solely dependent on how well Trubisky does. Behind him is Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller. Gabriel finished second on the team in targets while Miller, playing injured most of the year, was high on the team with seven TD receptions. Miller should be the player drafted first between the two, but the shoulder surgery could cause him to slide down boards. Trey Burton will again be a top drafted TE in fantasy, but a wildcard on the offense could be newly-acquired Cordarrelle Patterson.
After the trade of Jordan Howard to the Eagles, the rushing attack now falls squarely on the shoulders of Tarik Cohen and newly signed Mike Davis. Cohen is the better fit for the Nagy system as he can be a mismatch for opposing defenses. He will be asked to exceed the 99 rushing attempts from last season, but his receiving skills are what sets him apart as a weapon in PPR formats. Mike Davis will be the go-to grinder in this offense. He' ll handle a good portion of the rushing duties and should be looked at as a high-end RB3 in standard scoring leagues.
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Top Three Projected Selections
Third Round- Taylor Rapp, S Washington (87th overall)
Fourth Round- Isaiah Prince, OT Ohio State (126th)
Fifth Round- Randy Ramsey, DE Arkansas (162nd)
Remaining Picks
Seventh Round- 222nd, 238th
Needs Analysis
The Bears' first pick in this draft isn't until round three due to the moves made in the previous offseason (Khalil Mack trade). Due to this, the team will be primarily looking to find players that can come in and be good depth pieces on either side of the ball. There some needs on both lines and they could use another piece in the secondary for rotational purposes.
Taylor Rapp is a versatile safety that could come in and find a role on the defense right away. But he may very well be a key contributor on special teams in 2019 more than anything. He is a physical player that looks for solid hits with his above-average technique. His coverage skills are average but his run support and open field tackling ability make him a solid pick. His impact on this defense may not be felt right away, but in a couple of years, he should be a starter on the back end of this secondary.
Isaiah Prince is a hit or miss prospect at tackle. On tape, he's shown some inconsistencies in his game but he has made strides, especially in pass protection. His pad level tends to be a problem, but his length makes up for that concern. He is an adequate run blocker and has the athleticism to get out in the open field as a lead blocker on screens, a staple of the Nagy offense. He projects out as a backup tackle at the pro level but could develop into a solid starter with coaching.
Randy Ramsey is a hybrid defensive end that saw limited action while in college. In limited snaps, he showed some speed off the edge and an ability to make plays in the backfield. He is a primary DE but has the skills to drop back in coverage. He has a knack for causing turnovers which would fit in with a defense known for that. With some coaching, Ramsey could become a solid player on this team. But in the early stages of his career, he will likely be relegated to rotational duties on passing downs.
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