AZ54

First video was Jaden Daniels 2023. Second was 2024 QB highlights. I agree not all of the misses were entirely arm length issues but if he had the longer arms it would help him redirect the rusher. It would also help him to engage with a first strike a bit quicker to upset the pass rushers plan of attack.

Seems a bit rich for Blackwell but I like him even as depth on the defense.

Figuring out how to line up two Pro Bowl OGs for the Bears. Who had that in their offseason plans?

If it was just that I'd make the deal but I think we'll need to put more on the table. That might mean just giving them 10 overall. If they give us 17 we're likely giving up at least one of the 2nd Rd picks. I don't know if Cleveland is quietly considering trading Garrett but if they are this complicates things for both Ohio teams.

These are not just narratives. (definitely agree on lazy sports jouros peddling narratives without substantiating the data) Although I don't have a link for it, it does appear to be fact that less than 7% of starting OTs in the NFL have arms shorter than 33". There is a legitimate reason why longer arms make a player more likely to be successful covering a lot of open ground against some very fast and agile athletes, many who also have long arms to help them gain leverage. Here are some clips where you will see him struggle with speed and length. I'm not saying he's a bad player because he's not. If you watch the full film you will see many plays where he handles bigger power rushers very well including some DTs. That's why I like him at OG. I accept it's not ideal film but this is all I get to make some judgment regarding how he'll handle NFL speed, power, and length. What I've seen concerns me considering he'll be a top 10 pick. I have watched highlights of the top 10 edge rushers in this draft and noticed quite a few get around Campbell, some more than once (isn't that ideal for their highlight?) but I'm not going through that many videos again. I figured LSU QB highlights were the easiest way to show a sample of how he holds up. Without knowing what was going to be in these here is what I found... First video: 23s, 2:12s against Alabama, 2:28s against Alabama, 4:17s against Texas A&M, Second video: 1:13 against S.C., 1:22 against S.C, 2:48s against Miss, 3:38s Arkansas long arm move walks him right back into QB before he gains his footing, 3:52s against Texas A&M up and under move goes right by him, 3:50s against Texas A&M another up/under move DE goes right into heart of the pocket, 4:28s against Alabama DE goes right around flushes QB, 4:50s Florida DE long arms him gets pressure,

He’s going to need to show legit 4.3 speed to really stand out in this RB class. I don’t think he’s got it. I expect his time to be close to Hampton which I think was 4.45. If I’m wrong the hype machine will be off the rails before the draft. If he is that fast I also won’t mind drafting him. That kind of speed with his vision and contact balance is lethal to a defense. Especially in the 2nd half. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ashton-jeanty/32004a45-4142-7291-3a65-da29eaedce27

One thing not brought up to this point is that the Bears are now becoming a desired destination. Players know how good Been Johnson was. You have to believe the Chiefs asked Thuney his input on the trade. They may have even accepted less value in exchange much as we did with Fields when e sent him to Pitt. In years past we had to way over pay to get FAs here or they just ignored our offer and accepted less to play somewhere else. Now if we go after Dalman it’ll be would you like to work with Thuney and Jackson outside you while snapping to Caleb Williams to run Ben Johnson’s play’s? I don’t think we’ll have to pay above and beyond, just be competitive.

All hat and no cattle.

Sometimes you don't cut the player until he passes his physical. It's the offseason no way to get that done. I'd be very surprised, and disappointed, if we banked on having a rookie at Center this year even if that was for later in the season. First off that means we're gambling because we don't know who will be available. Or we reach way too early giving up value at another need position. With a new offense for everyone to learn I don't want a C who has to learn how to read the D and learn what the play is. I'd rather have a vet there even the lower level FAs like Shelton or Brown. That doesn't mean don't draft a future center as I'd be on board with that. Just don't expect he'll be the answer this year. In the event of an injury I wouldn't even be surprised to see them move Jackson over and put a youngster at OG.

Never liked him. That hasn't changed as he's gotten older, slower, and more expensive.

We still have $50mil in cap space with 49 players rostered and we haven't cut Ryan Bates ... but we will and that frees up $4mil. We could also negotiate a new deal with Thuney and perhaps free up another $3-5mil. Keeping it at $54mil... Rookie pool appears to be $13mil. So we've got ~$40mil to spend If we want Dalman we'll get him. Worst case I figure we can spend $15mil on Dalman, which is way too much, and $15mil on a DE. Leaves us $10mil We will likely do a contract extension with Kyler Gordon but they can use the current year to spread out the impact. https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/chicago-bears

At least that much. His PFF grades were on par with Trey Smith which is exactly what you'll see the fans of the team that signs him saying. The injury history of course will knock his salary down. I still like Tev and wasn't opposed to re-signing him on a decent short term deal. I wish him well. Nonetheless, I'll take the upgrade!

I find that hard to see as well. I also think it takes OG out of the 1st rd pick options. Unless they really think Will Campbell is going to be the LT of the future. Feels like we'd be grabbing IOL in Rd 2, a center prospect? edit: Membou in Rd 1 for LT?

Or Jackson goes to RG and we sign Dalman. IOL upgrade done on first day of FA? This is very surprising.

IMH wanna-be-GM opinion Booker will be very good in the right scheme. I don't think he's the guy you want to pull and get out in front for a wide zone run. You can watch his entire workout but if you don't see it with the context of what other players did in those same drills it's kinda meaningless. Compared to Will Campbell he looked like he's in slow motion. 17th in athleticism score sums it up. I've got no clue what scheme we'll be running. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tyler-booker/3200424f-4f05-3216-dcbe-0b23974f3ac7

The kid from Alabama who could barely run at the combine?

Simmons is still recovering from his knee injury but he’s the best OT in this draft. We could have re signed Tev to a short term deal and had the same result but that would likely have had a higher cap hit. When Jackson gets injured we have Simmons ready to take his place. A rookie season to learn the ropes at LG then LT next year. Losing the 6th rd pick is not ideal but we gain about 4 to 5 mil in cap space vs Teven that helps us sign another FA. I don’t think there were any ideal solutions at LG in FA. Everyone here seemingly is committed to fixing it via the draft. We can do that but without the need to rely on it. Really need to see what we do with that extra money to evaluate this deal.

I feel like this opens the door for us to draft Josh Simmons.

After all that now I have to go figure out who Tyler Booker is.

I gotta say after watching the combine and his highlights against Alabama I think Armand Membou should be on our radar at 10. Against Alabama I can clearly see he has some technical things to clean up but when he gets it right he's pretty good. He handles power pretty well but what surprised me the most was when they tried to work around him with speed. He mirrors very well. He only has 33 1/2" arms but that might be enough with his movement skills to handle LT. He gets sloppy at times. A little bit of catching rushers like we occasionally see with Darnell Wright and that gets him moved around in pass pro. He also gets caught leaning too much on some plays. He needs a coach to bring the best out him but he's still pretty young turning 21 just before the draft. If the Bears stuck him at LG for a year with the intent to try him at LT in 2026 in competition with Kiran I'd be ok with that (assumption here is that Kiran improves a lot in year 2). Or he stays at LG where he should have Pro Bowl potential and can backup LT if needed. Will Campbell moved well and everything on the testing field matches what we see in games. I believe he'll also have Pro Bowl potential at LG and could provide backup snaps at LT if needed. Where Membou might have a shot at playing outside, I think Campbell definitely should stay inside as his primary position. I feel better about our options if we have to stay at 10. Sometimes you don't need to look the gift horse in the mouth and worry too much about draft position/value trends. If both are there I take Campbell because he has the higher floor.

Yes but we need coaches and GMs who think they can get it out of him so he goes ahead of us.

I think we need 2 QBs to get drafted ahead of us and then someone will be there to entice a trade up. Rankings are already shifting around, Draft Network now has Will Campbell 9, Cam Ward 10, Josh Simmons 11, Jeanty is 12, Warren 13, Sanders 14, and Omarion Hampton now at 15. Donovan Jackson sits at 16. That's a good cluster of talent and someone might be willing to make a small move up to ensure they get their guy. Somebody who really needs a LT might be willing to make the jump up for either of Campbell/Simmons. Is it a big deal if we get Campbell or Josh Simmons at 10 versus Donovan Jackson at 14 or 15? Dropping from 10 to 15 is enough to get another 3rd Rd pick, maybe a little more. Most of the edges are now landing in 15-30 range but again that may shake up by next week. I think we're in that sweet spot where the trade up isn't too costly or we can grab the player that falls to us. The same can be said for the teams sitting at 8/9/10/11 which could make it a buyers market. If I were to pick this years wildcard workout warrior to shock everyone in the top 10 it's Shemar Stewart.

He'd mix in well with Swift as a 1-2 combo. He's got very good contact balance, power, and enough lateral agility to make a cut and get to open space. He has enough speed to get you some good chunk plays too.

We still have to be prepared for a trade down scenario.

It would be insance to go RB in the top 10 of this draft. It's not a premium position and on the flip side it's also one of the deepest positions in this draft. The first pick has to be in the trenches. Given the value of most top 25 players along with position value and need the most likely choice is a DE unless we trade back. Now if Mason Graham falls to 10 just punch the ticket. Now I have to go figure out where a freak athlete like Shemar Stewart fits in this equation. His production was meh for such a good athlete. Why?