The Chicago Bears signed Rasheem Green to bolster the defensive line. How does that signing affect Ryan Poles’ draft plans?
With the start of the 2023 NFL Draft less than three weeks away, the Chicago Bears are deep in their planning. However, that does not mean general manager Ryan Poles isn’t done adding to the roster.
That is exactly what he did by signing Rasheem Green. Green is a defensive tackle so the signing bolsters that unit. Earlier in the free agency period, he signed Andrew Billings and DeMarcus Walker.
Walker helps improve the outside of the line while Billings fortifies the interior. These players are more rotational players rather than full-fledged starters.
Green helps give defensive coordinator Alan Williams some flexibility. He spent most of his five-year career as a defensive end so he helps in the pass rush. Also, he can also slide inside and help the middle of the line. He even has some experience playing outside linebacker.
The Chicago Bears pass rush unit already has Dominique Robinson, Trevis Gipson, and Justin Jones. Now it has Walker and Green.
So what does the Green signing do for Poles’ first-round plans?
With the number of players at defensive end, the need for a pass rusher early in the first round might not be necessary. Yes, the Bears had the worst pass rush in the NFL last season. However, that was because of problems on the entire line. The problems were both on the inside and the outside.
One first-round option down
Williams’ defensive system (which is also head coach Matt Eberflus‘ system) has tiers. The linebackers are critically important to make plays. We saw how important that unit is by the fact that Poles overhauled the unit and made it the top priority.
Next in line is the defensive tackle, someone who can play the three-technique. If the players in the middle are doing their job, they will attract attention, aka double teams. When that happens, the ends have more one-on-one situations and more space to work with. Then they have a better chance at rushing the passer.
Adding a defensive end, together with the number of players already there, likely means that Poles goes in another direction. Seeing how important the defensive tackle is, if someone like, say, Jalen Carter is available, it would be difficult to think Poles would not jump on the chance to draft him. There are those who say he is a generational talent and now that his legal trouble is over, he could put all his attention back on football.
With Carter grabbing attention from opponents, that open up the space as I mentioned before.
Additionally, the second-best three-technique player in the draft is Bryan Reese. He could also be an effective player in Chicago’s defense should Carter not be available.
Another area of need is at offensive line. The Bears still need a right tackle. Paris Johnson could be a tremendous pick there. When free agency began, many people thought the Bears would be making moves to acquire one of the top free-agent tackles.
That did not happen, though. Poles signed just one offensive lineman, guard Nate Davis. That solidified the interior but the hole at right tackle remains. Selecting Johnson would fix that and give the Bears an anchor there on a rookie contract for four seasons.
Poles certainly has raised Chicago Bears fans’ hopes for the future. He did a lot of work in 2022 so he could have the options in 2023. That is what he has now and it will be exciting to see what he does with those options.
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