Chicago Tribune

One of the biggest pieces in the pre-draft evaluation process begins Monday when the NFL scouting combine cranks up in Indianapolis. Players will go through medical testing that is critical to how prospects are stacked — and in some cases removed — on draft boards. Teams will get a brief glimpse into what makes the players tick in short interviews, a first-time experience for those who did not participate in postseason all-star games. Pro days, private workouts, top-30 visits and internal draft meetings will follow as the process escalates toward the three-day draft, which begins April 25 in Detroit. It’s premature to say how things will fall for general manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears, but they find themselves in an advantageous position with the first and ninth picks in a draft that has strength and depth at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle — at least two of which are primary needs.