Chicago Bears Draft Picks 2017: Results, Grades and Analysis for Each Selection

Thursday's 2017 NFL draft marks a turning point for the Chicago Bears.

Entering Thursday, general manager Ryan Pace has steered the franchise through two years of delicate rebuilding while preparing for this draft class, where every need is on the table in each round.

So far, Pace has stuck to his guns in a building-through-the-draft approach, only making a big splash at positions of need in free agency this offseason on what amount to one-year deals based on guaranteed money.

This trend continues over the weekend. The Bears picked a great class to address defensive back, pass-rushers and quarterback, among other spots, thanks to the depth on the board.

Chicago enters the draft with seven picks, the first coming at No. 3. Below, let's track and grade every single selection Pace and the front office make in this franchise-defining draft.

Round 1, Pick 2: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

Love it or hate it, Pace identified his guy and did whatever it took to get him.

North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky isn't a bad pick on his own. He's a 6'2", 222-pound quarterback with a solid arm who, over limited time as a starter, showed flashes of major upside. An ability to navigate messy pockets or throw with accuracy on the run is a bonus.

The problem, on paper for now, is the cost to swing a deal with the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 2 pick. According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Bears surrendered their third- and fourth-round picks this year and a third-round pick in 2018. In a draft class littered with outstanding depth at defensive back and pass-rushers, coughing up two picks to move up one spot looks rough for now.

For now. Trubisky has the benefit of playing behind Mike Glennon for at least a year while adapting to the pro game and working on some of his weaknesses, such as getting panicky while under pressure.

At the end of the day, nothing else matters if a team doesn't have a star quarterback. Trubisky can be that in time, but given the wealth of needs across the roster, it's hard to give the Bears an overly high grade while coughing up such a high number of assets.

This is a gut-reaction grade sure to be met with a high dose of hindsight in a few years. Pace has now tied his job to Trubisky while surrendering picks elsewhere, and watching how it unfolds will at least generate more excitement in Chicago than the last three or four years combined.

Grade: B

Round 2, Pick 45: Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland

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It's no secret the Bears entered the 2017 draft needing help at tight end.

While Zach Miller is a quality veteran presence at the spot, his inability to stay healthy has marred his tenure with the Bears. Pace paying up for Dion Sims in free agency helps, but he's still developing as a receiving weapon.

Ashland's Adam Shaheen isn't.

Shaheen is a former basketball player and downright giant for the position at 6'6" and 278 pounds. He has good hands and great speed for the position, though he won't offer much as a blocker. A transition to pro-level competition might prove tough, but at some point, going up and getting the ball is going up and getting the ball.

Perhaps the biggest knock here is need. There were several quality defensive backs and edge-rushers on the board even after the Bears traded back and picked up another fourth-round pick.

But here's the rub—Pace moved back knowing Shaheen would still be there. He also happened to be in New Orleans when the Saints picked up another former hooper-turned-tight end, Jimmy Graham.

Grade: A

Round 4, Pick 112: Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama

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Many pegged the Bears as drafting a defensive back in the first few rounds this year.

But Eddie Jackson sure isn't a bad way to compensate.

The Alabama product stands at 6'0" and 201 pounds and flashed good instincts in center field as a safety, though he has also lined up as a man-coverage corner in the past. As a bonus, he brings some versatility to Chicago because he can return kicks.

Maybe the biggest knock with Jackson is the idea he had an easy time at Alabama. With a loaded front seven in front of him and corners who could win one-on-one battles on islands, Jackson could sit back and cherry-pick bad throws.

But the criticism falls short because of the sheer range Jackson displayed while working within the confines of his collegiate defense. Among his peers in this class, few boast the upside he does as a deep free safety, which in Chicago, is the perfect complement to Quintin Demps.

Combine need, upside and the pace of the rebuild in Chicago, and the Jackson pick passes with flying colors.

Grade: A

Round 4, Pick 119: Tarik Cohen, RB, North Carolina A&T

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The Bears just drafted a Darren Sproles lookalike to complement Jordan Howard.

Honestly, the analysis could end right there and Bears fans should be pleased. Tarik Cohen out of North Carolina A&T is 5'6" and 179 pounds of shifty explosiveness the Bears offense could certainly use.

A tweet by CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli says it all well: "Tarik Cohen is 5’6, 179 pounds, ran a 4.42 40 and is nicknamed The Human Joystick so I’m all in."

In all seriousness, that 40-yard dash number and awesome nickname are true. Cohen is smaller than an NFL team would prefer, but he's patient at the line of scrimmage before he kicks into gear and either beats defenders around the edge or leaves them grasping at air.

The problem with Cohen is workload, as his size might make it hard for him to handle the rigors of a full load. He won't come anywhere close in Chicago with Howard soaking up most of the snaps. It's the perfect one-two punch, though, and signals serious roster pressure for guys like Ka'Deem Carey and Benny Cunningham.

With Chicago lacking in picks this year after a few trades and great values still on the board, some might detest the value of picking Cohen here, which is fair. But when taking a new potential franchise quarterback, the approach shifts from best player available on either side of the ball to surrounding him with as many capable weapons as possible.

Grade: B

Round 5, Pick 147: Jordan Morgan, OL, Kutztown

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The Bears finished their draft, barring something unforeseen, with Kutztown offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.

Morgan isn't a household name and shouldn't be at this point in his career. He's a raw prospect who only played half a season of football in high school before going on to be a productive four-year offensive tackle in college.

On one hand, Morgan dominated lesser competition and has a rough transition to the pros ahead of him. On the other, he looks the part at 6'3" and 309 pounds, and the athleticism shown on tape hints at a guy who can take snaps at tackle in the NFL.

For now, Morgan could play guard if necessary should the Bears suffer some injuries. In time, he could develop into a quality right tackle, which makes him a nice forward-looking prospect given the struggles of Bobby Massie at times on the right side of the line.

The overarching problem with the pick is value. After the pick, arguably better options such as tight end Jordan Leggett and safety Desmond King came off the board. It won't matter in hindsight if Morgan pans out, but it certainly does now.

Grade: C