dawhizz

So I keep looking at everything I can regarding draft options at #10 and I’m having a hard time. Let me know where I’m wrong: -At Edge, you have guys with horrible sack production like Mykal Williams (who just ran a 4.8 40 at his pro day - no thanks) and Shemar Sanders (4.5 sacks total in 3 years), then guys with decent production who seem too light for 4-3 end like Mike Green and Jalon Walker (who’s probably a LB anyway). DT - Mason Graham maybe if he’s there but he probably won’t be and I don’t think Grant/Harmon/Nolen are worth the pick at #10. RB - Jeanty is maybe a consideration but I just have a hard time seeing it when the Bears have two 2nd round picks and this is a deep RB draft. OT - Poles drafted Kiran as his LT of the future last year, and there’s a lot of disagreement on if the top OTs (Campbell, Banks, Membou) are even fits at OT, let alone LT. Poles isn’t taking another potential RT at #10 and after the Thuney and Jackson moves probably isn’t taking a guard there either. I don’t buy Tyler Warren as a consideration - just actually use the guy you have. WR3 is a big need but I can’t see going WR back to back with top 10 picks (plus I assume they will still address WR in FA). I can almost make a case for CB depending on how the new regime feels about Terrell Smith and Tyrique Stevenson, but can’t quite get there. Trade down makes the most sense but that’s easier said than done. So what’s the move? Make your case. Cause I’m struggling.

Need a WR pretty badly IMO. Scott has done nothing and he’s your #3 and there’s even worse options behind him.

Kiran is the LT they are hoping to develop.

I really want Nick Westbrook-Ihnine.

I have no idea if he’s still good, but even if he can’t pass rush like he he used to, he can still be a good run defender and the Bears were really bad stopping the run once Billings went down. I do really like that Poles has added guys on both lines (Thuney and Jarrett) who are not only good players but leaders and respected vets. There hasn’t been much good veteran leadership on the lines in a while.

I think you put him at edge and then on pass rush downs move him inside with a draft pick on the outside, kind of how they used Demarcus Walker.

$20 million / year for Dan Moore (to the Titans) is crazy.

Yep. Just need to come out of the draft with some kind of “Swiss army knife” type olineman like Zabel, Mbow, Ersey, Jackson, Gray to give you some depth and future and we’re in business.

Also apparently retaining Amen Ogbongbemiga, another ST contributor.

2/$6 million for Josh Blackwell as key ST contributor and CB depth Smythe is your Gerald Everett replacement with better blocking. He was with Miami when Ben Johnson was there, so looks like another one of “his guys”.

Yeah, I think you get a more developmental guard in rounds 2/3/4 but don’t have to press for a guard in the first. I’m also very interested to see where the G market shakes out in FA. I can easily see lesser players like Aaron Banks getting money close to what Jackson and Thuney are getting this year with the salary cap increases.

Looks like the Bears now traded for another pro bowl guard - Joe Thuney from the Chiefs comes over for. 2026 4th round pick. He’s a little older (32) and owed $16 million this year. Interested to see if he gets an extension or maybe restructure as part of the deal.

I just don’t love the trend. Lions drafted him and elected not to resign him. Rams signed him to a big deal but gave up on him after one year. Found this review of his last year in Detroit and it paints a pretty mixed review. I’m not a PFF devotee, but PFF numbers in the 60-61 range aren’t that great. https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/2/20/24075604/2024-detroit-lions-free-agent-profile-jonah-jackson-left-guard-nfl-re-sign-difficult-decision

I assume it depends on how FA shakes out but likely LG. He was only healthy for four games for LA so probably not enough to figure out his comfort level at center.

Not real sold on this move. I guess it’s low risk since his second year is not guaranteed, but I’m getting Ryan Bates/Nate Davis vibes.

I'm admitted a sucker for these things, and every team has the same type of thing where everyone says all the right things about how they can't believe they landed the guys they got, but I'll be damned if this doesn't get me fired up. Behind Bears' path to NFL Draft | 1920 Football Drive (chicagobears.com)

Hey, Bo Nix parlayed a throw chart like this into being a first round pick.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/05/06/inside-bears-scouting-process-caleb-williams-draft-mmqb

Good comments here from Poles and scouts on the draft picks. Poles has also been on some podcasts this week, including Pat McAfee and Waddle & Silvy. https://www.chicagobears.com/audio/ryan-poles-bears-scouting-staff-praise-2024-draft-picks-bears-etc-podcast

I do think that we need to prepare for the possibility that two things may be true next year: 1) Caleb Williams has the best statistical season for a Bears QB ever. 2) Caleb Williams has the third best statistical season for a QB in the division. Keep in mind the years Jared Goff and Jordan Love had last year would both, unquestionably, be the best Bears QB season ever. We can certainly hope for some regression, but can’t expect it to happen.

I’m sure he’s still on his rookie deal and considering he was a 7th round pick not much savings there.

Interesting to note that, with all the Vikings moves, their 2025 draft picks are: - Their own 1st - Their own 5th - The Browns 5th and that’s it. We thought we didn’t have much draft capital this year, but we had two top ten picks and another day 2 pick. If McCarthy isn’t the guy and/or the Vikings struggle, they are going to be in some trouble in the 2025 offseason.

Also the Steelers invested heavily on offense in the draft early with two O-line picks that figure to start and a WR who will probably contribute, so if they help as expected it might help Russell Wilson look good for a while.

I don’t think so because of his years of service. Players with ten or more season max out at a 5th round compensatory pick.

Austin Reed has been training with Caleb in the offseason. https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2024/4/27/24143222/caleb-williams-fired-up-new-chicago-bears-udfa-austin-reed-will-hewlett-qb-collective-nfl-draft