I think the draft needs to get here, because everyone is overthinking this. The Bears didn't trade Howard for next to nothing, and sign a career backup RB (for backup RB money, FWIW) to wait and take a RB whenever it happens. Pace has his eyes on one of the top RBs.
While EDGE would be nice at 87, the Bears have Mack, Floyd, and Lynch...same top 3 that was part of the #1 D last year
While Safety would be nice at 87, the Bears have 4 on the roster, 3 of the 4 from the #1 D last year. Only change is HCD instead of Amos
While CB would be nice at 87, the Bears have 4 of the top 5 from the #1 D last year. Only change is Skrine instead of Callahan
While TE would be nice at 87, the Bears invested money in Burton and a top 60 pick on Shaheen.
At RB, while the Bears do have 2 of the 4 from last year's O back, they lost their starter. And while Davis could help replace Howard, he's probably not as good (and definitely not as proven), despite being a "better fit". Davis is, as he's getting paid, a replacement for Cunningham who is part of the insurance plan to replace Howard.
Think of the Pace tenure so far.....
Last year, everyone thought the Bears would wait on LB, because Kwiatkoski was thought to be a decent, replacement level player capable of starting.
The year before, everyone thought the Bears would wait on QB, because Glennon was thought to be a decent, replacement level player capable of starting.
2016 everyone thought the Bears would wait on pass rusher, because Houston, Young and McPhee were thought to be decent, replacement level players capable of starting.
Going back to 2015, everyone (me included) thought they would wait on WR because Eddie Royal was supposed to replace Brandon Marshall.
This is Pace's MO as a drafter. He fills every position with capable players, but he knows which ones are replacement level and can be upgraded long-term. He's also hedging his bets in case he can't get the guy he wants. Granted, this year's a little bit tougher with no picks til 87, but 21 of the 22 positions have an unquestioned starter going into mini camp. All 21 started at the same position last year either for the Bears or for another team. Only 1 position is the opposite. Ryan Pace is drafting a RB at or before 87.