(670 The Score) Bears general manager Ryan Pace made major moves prior to the 2018 season, believing his team was on the verge of contention. What followed was a year in which Chicago enjoyed a worst-to-first turnaround in the NFC North and established its foundation for years to come.
The cost of acquiring star edge rusher Khalil Mack and rookie receiver Anthony Miller was trading draft capital away, and the Bears are now left with reduced resources. The NFL on Friday officially set its order for the draft in April, and the Bears own five picks -- and no compensatory slots, as expected.
The Bears have picks in the third round (87th overall), fourth round (126th), fifth round (162nd) and two in the seventh round (222nd, 238th). The additional seventh-round pick, the 222nd slot, came from the Eagles in the trade of defensive back Deiondre' Hall.
That all comes after the Bears traded their 2019 first- (24th) and sixth-round (196th) picks to the Raiders as part of the deal for Mack last September. Chicago also dealt a second-round pick (No. 56) to move back into the second round and select Miller last April.
Pace can sleep well this spring knowing what he got in return for those deals. Mack was an All-Pro in his first season with the Bears, posting 12.5 sacks in 14 games and helping lead a turnaround for the league's stingiest defense. Miller was second among all rookie receivers with seven touchdown receptions in 2018.
Pace does have experience drafting without a first- or second-round pick, having gone through that with the Saints' front office in the 2013 draft. They would select a defensive tackle out of Regina that year named Akiem Hicks, a Pro Bowl player for the Bears in 2018.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
