BearFan PHX

If I knew that's what he'd do, Id strongly consider it. But i think this guy is gonna flame out or quit on the team. Or there's a good chance he will. I wonder if Washington might want him and be willing to part with Payne in a trade for 9 and 15 (and wed have to add something I'm sure), or maybe Ten and their young 3T etc. Poles has more options than it may seem with that #9.

I only did 4 rounds, and I traded up for Kancey. This isnt a huge haul of names like some drafts, and I probably paid a bit too much to move up for Kancey, but this does show that its possible to really add a lot of talent to the lines without any crazy pro Bears trades. We'd still need an edge rusher, and a CB, but we'd be looking pretty good with this draft I think. And of course there are still a number of picks to go in rounds 5-7 too.

I like the idea that we could get a blue chip OT in the top 15, and then trade up to grab Kancey. Add Cody Mauch, an edge rusher and a center, and you've got a hell of a draft.

right - its like he doesnt understand the strategy, and hes operating on ego. Then again Drew Rosenhaus is his agent, so wtf do I know about what is a smart strategy for him.

Carter wont even visit teams out of the top ten. He does not sound like a team player to me at all. He may have a few good seasons, but I see Roquan Smith and Eddie Goldman written all over him.

I guess we have to trust our talent evaluation guys to get it right. Certainly Eberflus will have a strong and educated opinion on what will work for him there.

Id love him at 15 - but everything you said here is right on.

Dont forget Eislen too - hes young, and growing, and showed awareness out there, but needed to add to his frame, and grow with his physical abilities.

I think you guys are right - one of these four - or a trade down, and maybe still one of them Or some of the other Edge Rushers.

For sure, and if we do it right and are able to consistently identify talent in the draft, then we will become a team like the Patriots who trade good players at 28 years old who still have a year left on their deals for draft picks. And you keep new talent in the pipeline. Somewhere in the 5th round or later, we should even draft a QB. And by that I mean every position. Poles is certainly setting the stage for that kid of sustainable pipeline, but he and our staff will need to do a great job in the draft every year to keep it going. I cant wait to see what he does next month.

I'm thinking Poles wants to possibly trade down a few slots and then take a 3T not named Jalen Carter. There are several names on that list that would work, but they'll all be gone by pick 15 or 20. I also wouldnt want to have to choose which of them is going to be great in the NFL, thankfully that's Poles' job. But Poles could be looking 3T, and willing to entertain small trade ups for Carter if hes there too - so blowing smoke on a 3T and picking one are not mutually exclusive. I love this stuff, it's so complicated and crazy. Anyway, I dont disagree about OL being important. I just think top 10 OL picks are usually stud LTs, and there are lots and lots of good O Linemen in the league, including RTs, that were 2nd round picks. I dont know any notable 3Ts that were taken in the 2nd though. We are definitely going to need both. and there are probably picks for 4 starters from this draft. DT and OL will definitely be among them. But in what order?

If youre talking about a dominating LT, I can understand. But if we are gonna roll with Braxton Jones on the left side, then I think a 2nd round RT is going to be a more impactful player than a 2nd round 3T. I can absolutely see us trading up for that RT, we have lots of picks to package. I can even see us sliding down a few more slots in the first to pick up that 3T, and adding that ammo to moving up for the RT. But plenty of good OL have been found in the 2nd round and later in the draft over the years, but I dont think you can show me any stud 3Ts that went out of the first round. If we can put a player there with a top 10 pick, our defense is ready to rock. yes we will still need edge rushers, but in the Cover 2, you need a 3T to make it work. I almost wonder if all this RT talk is smoke to protect a 3T pick.

Don't sleep on the 3T - we need one early.

yeah it makes all the sense in the world. Edmunds is a lot like Urlacher. Once we get a pass rush, this is gonna be a hell of a defense.

he probably wants ammo to trade up in the 2nd too?

I've been looking at all the mock drafts, as Im sure we all have been, and one thing stands out to me - no one has ANY idea who we will actually take. There have to be at least six different players that keep coming up. No one really knows. Poles is doing a great job.

If the right player(s) is(are) available, I still think DL makes the most sense with the 9th pick.

I agree. we may yet sign a free agent center and cut whitehair too, but eveb if we do, that guys a placeholder, and not a long term answer. So i agree. We will probably draft one. The only wild card is if they think Eislen will be ready to go after an offseason of conditioning?

Well said. I would just caution though, that the signings off of this list (and similar) could well happen after the draft once we know what we've got. It's a little nerve wracking to wait, but these guys, and similar level cuts will be available as we need them.

I agree. And overall, we still need: 3T, DE, DE (developmental rotational), RT, CB, C, FS (Jackson's future replacement) Some needs are more pressing than others, of course. You said "actual holes" and I agree with your list for that, maybe add C tho?

I'm so torn. They guy is a physical beast, and getting him at #3 would be a steal no less at #9. And I don't care one bit about his police adventures. But I am very concerned about reports that his heart wasnt in the game, and his lack of performance given his incredible talent. And that report was before the accident. And then he showed up fat and out of breath to his limited pro day. That's my concern. Not his talent, and not the racing thing. I worry he's not gonna fulfill his potential. And I see other very talented linemen who have enormous upsides too, and think they might be better picks.

good point! we are in a very good position.

Oh I totally agree. I thought you were making a list of more than 9 non-quarterbacks we might want on the roster.

yes. hes not purposely building in any order (despite my joke above) hes taking the right guys who are available at the right price. he is being disciplined. Poles is young - he is setting us up to be a good team for a long time.

dont forget Will Anderson! We will never get him, but he should be on our list, as it will eat up a pick before us.