Denzel Ward is the best corner in this draft, and the Chicago Bears are finally solidifying their secondary.
Chicago has long been a team trying to find the right fit at cornerback, and it is coming together this offseason. After matching the offer sheet from the Green Bay Packers, the Bears were able to sign Kyle Fuller to a long-term deal. Now, Ward and the oft-injured prince Amukamara can rotate who plays inside and who plays opposite Fuller on the boundary. Early on, Ward might go inside due to his size, but expect him to be able to play both techniques, similar to Kendall Fuller.
The Bears have other needs here, but the board dictates that Ward is the pick. If Nelson were to be available, it’s tough to imagine that general manager Ryan Pace doesn’t make that move. Pace could also reach and go for a wide receiver in either Calvin Ridley or Courtland Sutton, but the additions of Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel should decrease that urge.
Chicago needs to keep building at premier positions, and Ward would be an easy fit for a team in a pass-happy NFC North with Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford.