I think the biggest thing you take away from the hiring of Phil Emery as the Bears new general manager is Emery is someone trusted who understands the Bears way of doing business. Emery has walked the Halas Hallways before as a scout, but expanded his duties apart of expert draft teams under GM Scott Pioli formerly of the Patriots and now GM of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Drafting, talent evaluations and eventual fit of draft picks schematically into the Bears' offensive and defensive systems proved problematic under Jerry Angelo. President Ted Phillips identified the Bears' lack of roster talent as the number one reason why the Bears had to make a change. For example, the Detroit Lions have had over 200 roster moves alone, along with double digit trades to upgrade their roster under Lions GM Martin Mayhew.
I believe Emery will implement the Pioli methodology to drafting. Normally, there are over 330 players who attend the NFL Combine in Indianapolis at the end of March every year. Pioli and the Patriots would target 30 players who fit the Patriots criteria of scheme, talent, character, and need. The GMs responsibility was to then move up or down the draft board to acquire those players. The Patriots would trade down acquiring more picks, for example, if their number one player was already selected. Ideally, the Patriots would put themselves in position for their targeted guys. Then Pioli would target free agents and other professional league players to supplement the team before and after the draft. If a free agent was signed prior to the draft, that position would have less priority, unless the player targeted was available at their selection. Pioli could then release the veteran free agent in training camp if the draft pick proved worthy to be productive.
Existing veterans mixed with youth to teach and police the locker room indoctrinating them to the Patriot Way we have heard so much about. The Patriots will be making their fifth Super Bowl appearance in 10 years. It is hard to argue with the success, consistency, and the Patriots way of conducting business. I believe Emery will strive to accomplish this goal.