"Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace could have a lot of «I told you so» moments over the next few years. Pace was ripped by many fans and media members alike for trading up to draft quarterback Mitchell Trubisky second overall last April, but so far, that pick has been solid.
In fact, most of Pace's 2017 draft class performed well. The only pick that did not play was fifth-round pick Jordan Morgan. The Bears got a total of 57 games and 39 starts out of Trubisky, Adam Shaheen, Eddie Jackson and Tarik Cohen.
Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com regraded the 2017 draft classes of the NFC North and gave Pace and the Bears a B+.
«Trading up one spot to draft Trubisky -- and letting go of three mid-round picks in the process -- was a risk, but one worth taking in retrospect,» Bergman wrote. «Trubisky is a work in progress, but under the tutelage of Matt Nagy and Mark Helfrich, the QB can aspire to a sophomore surge, a la Jared Goff in L.A. Chicago made the most of the few other selections it possessed, hauling two great athletes in Jackson and Cohen, the latter of whom was an immediate game-breaker. Jackson and Adrian Amos will give the Windy City a top-five safety tandem in years to come. Chicago needs to utilize Shaheen more to justify a higher draft grade; the tight end caught just 12 passes in 13 games despite Zach Miller missing half the season.»
The Bears and the Vikings tied with the highest grades, followed by the Lions (B) and Packers (C+). Having a draft class that contributes right away is not something the Bears have been very good at over the past few years and is a big reason why they have been to the playoffs one time since 2006. "
