Ryan Pace Bracket Challenge: Draft Round 2 (‘1’ vs ‘4’)

With one round of voting in the books, the matchups get harder as we ask fans to evaluate Ryan Pace’s best and worst moments as a GM

Coming through the opening rounds of competition are a number of strong challengers both best and worst for Pace’s ability to handle the draft. On the good side, the #1 seed Justin Fields is followed quickly by his presumptive bodyguard, #2 seed Teven Jenkins. Meanwhile, #6 see Eddie Jackson upset fellow Eddie. At the time of this writing, #5 Roquan Smith was on the way to beating out Cody Whitehair.

On the bad side, #1 Mitchell Trubisky, #2 Adam Shaheen, and #3 Kevin White have formed one of the most disappointing sets of offensive non-power imaginable, and they are joined by a suddenly active Hroniss Grasu (#5), who upset amateur fighter Anthony Miller.

Best

The first matchup then is a perpetual battle in Chicago—for Pace’s best draft selection, it’s the hope of a franchise quarterback versus the reality of an inside linebacker.

#1: Justin Fields – You can stop reading if you’ve heard this one before—Ryan Pace traded up to draft the next great franchise quarterback for the Chicago Bears. It is worth pointing out that even though Pace technically overpaid in order to trade up to #11, he still spent less in the way of conventional draft capital on Fields than he did on Fields’ challenger. Fields could very well be the best quarterback in franchise history. Of course, he has yet to play a single snap of pro ball.

#5: Roquan Smith – Smith was the first linebacker taken in the 2018 draft, and while his accomplishments have yet to match those of draft classmate Darius Leonard (class leader in solo tackles, top five in class for both interceptions and sacks, 1st-Team All-Pros, and Pro Bowls), he gives Fred Warner and Tremaine Edmunds a run for their money for the second-best inside linebacker taken that year.

Worst

When it comes to failed draft picks, it’s nothing but offense.

#1: Mitchell Trubisky – Trubisky is not the worst quarterback to play for the Bears under Ryan Pace, and only a hardcore critic would doubt his heart or enthusiasm, but the man from Mentor never elevated his game.

#5: Hroniss Grasu – Grasu was forced into early action, and he lacked the strength necessary to maul on the interior. Ultimately, Grasu just wasn’t a starter in the NFL, and that’s why he is no longer active.