AZ54

That's probably all we need at TE for the season. Kmet, Griffin, O'Shaughnessy, Hosted. We won't commit early picks to TE and we won't find anyone on day 3 ready to contribute more than these guys. I expect we'll focus on other priorities in the draft.

Which puts him around 120 unless someone gets crazy and takes him late 3rd. I'm not that high on him. He seems like someone who, at best, can replace Nichols production which is not a bad pick on day 3, but I'd say that's his ceiling. We might add him late in the draft to help with depth but he won't be someone we build around and he's definitely not someone I'd put into Eberflus' "likely starter" category. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/haskell-garrett/32004741-5244-3684-c6f4-4959ba1721da "Three-technique with average size and athleticism who needs to play in a one-gapping front where his ability to find the gap can be made useful. Garrett has a good football IQ and is skilled, but he's not able to impose his will across all levels of competition. He can discard the average guard with efficient hand work but he's missing the length to play read-and-react, and the anchor to occupy space against most double teams. He's not explosive but does have the tools to help threaten a pocket as a rusher. Haskell is a scheme-dependent, middle-round prospect with rotational value."

Matt Waletzko is a good target for that role on day 3.

Smith (move him inside), and Watson. I have to admit I love Pitre's game and he'd be a great pick too but I have to stick with my priorities.

I agree we should have good options at our first 3 picks for each of the needs with the exception of 3-tech. I think that is spot you either get at 39 or not at all. I only see Wyatt and Winfrey as good fits to start there with Leal behind them but he seems a bit more project and there's nothing special about his physical traits. It's possible Winfrey drops to 48 but players who can rush the passer like he did at the Senior Bowl tend to go higher than lower. Looking at Draftek they list 3-tech: Wyatt 26th, Winfrey 46th, and Leal 47th overall. After those 3 players they drop to 120 with Haskell Garrett and I don't even think that's an ideal fit for him. That's not a drop off it's cliff in terms of talent.

I agree not many and it's not a must-have worth focusing on. Just get a good WR corps and a TE that can get separation.

"What's nice about this draft is that it's deep," Eberflus said. "It's deep just because of the whole COVID thing; guys stayed in [college] another year. We feel that it's a good draft to have where we are: 39, 48, 71. We feel pretty good we're going to pick up three starters there or have potentially three starters based on the development of those players. So, we feel real good about it." https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/chicago-bears-matt-eberflus-ryan-poles-2022-nfl-draft-starters That's exactly where I'm at and any trade back must be met with the same expectation on the end result.

Valid points combined with the fact the new coaches noted that the timing between Fields and Mooney was off. I don't know that I'd go as high as saying Mooney can be a #1 WR winning against double teams consistently but he's a really good #2 and he's going to get a very nice contract next year. Any offense can be really good with a couple WRs like that.

That's for an offense that scored 10pts in a playoff game. This stat on RB receptions plays well into Montgomery's production. He's got the hands and he breaks tackles which should bode well for our offense. Having this kind of a consistent outlet should also put Fields into a more comfortable position early on in the season while he's settling into the new offense.

It's still baffling that a team that believes it is ready to compete to win the Superbowl let's that much production walk out the door.

Patrick likely knows the line calls Getsy wants and even if Trettor might be the better player, getting all 5 guys aligned on blocking assignments has more value. I don't need to see a repeat of the Brown's game from last year.

Someone mentioned Brandon Thorn in some posts (forgive me for not remembering who) as an Oline analyst. I accidentally came across his Substack so I figure I'd post the link here in case anyone is interested. https://trenchwarfare.substack.com/ https://trenchwarfare.substack.com/p/ol-scouting-notebook-2022-nfl-combine?s=r Like everyone else I'm highly interested in Oline this draft but I'm also not an expert in analyzing the finer points of the positions. I've kinda had Raimann as a target for us somewhere and watched as he reportedly moved up to as high as a 2nd Rd prospect. His arm length makes me think we take him off the board as an OT. We already have concerns with the same issue for Jenkins. While it's possible both players perform well at OT, I can't see Poles putting the same risk on both ends of the Oline. I think he'll take someone safer that fits the OT mold even if it's in a later round. He could very well take Raimann with intent to move him inside if he believes he fits there. I'm still not high on Faalele as I don't think he fits the athletic mold Poles said he wants. "Central Michigan T Bernhard Raimann - Raimann’s arm length came in at 33 inches at the Senior Bowl and 32 7/8 at the Combine. Left tackle Rashawn Slater measured in at 33 inches at the Combine last year and was a Second Team All-Pro as a rookie in 2021, but Slater is also an exceptional case and an absolute technician. The reality is that having 33 inch arms and under at tackle is a rarity and an obstacle to overcome rather than an asset for Raimann." "Minnesota T Daniel Faalele - Faalele came in weighing 384 pounds, down three pounds from the 387 he weighed in at during the Senior Bowl. Even though Faalele visibly carries his weight exceptionally well, there’s a concern he’s too heavy due to how tardy he can be to transfer his weight on the field and redirect laterally. There is a legitimate question about how much weight he can lose and maintain as a pro to maximize his ability to deal with edge-rushers on an island in the NFL."

He has to get good value too. Other teams know he wants more picks so he'll get some low-ball offers. Just say no. I'm less concerned about getting more picks than I am with getting at least 2 and potentially 3 good core starters. I not convinced trading back for 4 picks in the top 100 makes that more likely than having 3 in the top 75. It is easy to fill out depth via FA any given year.

It all depends on the player rankings and sometimes in these systems you don't even know what list or lists they are using. Plus it seems clear sites are using some random generator for some of the picks likely based on their pre-defined needs list. If you want people to keep coming back to your site you have to show them something different. Nonetheless, every year NFL teams still manage to surprise everyone with their picks even in the 1st round which is why I find it to be must-see TV.

I agree and don't understand the concept behind this comp pick.

Like I said it all depends on how badly they want to win this year or next. That division is so tough now it’s not unrealistic for them to miss the playoffs depending on injuries. Kelsey is 33 how many more seasons will he play? Do they follow the Rams all-in approach or draft and hope for the best near term and focus more on the long term?

This is pure speculation but the logic behind this deal makes sense from the Chiefs perspective if they have their sites set on a Superbowl in 2022. Proposal: Chiefs get Quinn. Bears get pick 96. (not good enough IMO) https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2955188-5-trades-nfl-teams-should-try-to-execute-before-the-2022-draft I see the Chiefs with 12 picks (albeit 4 in Rd 7). While the draft is a good one for edge rushers those who are ready to contribute as a rookie will be gone well before the end of Rd 1. Poles has a good idea of their urgency in finding a pass rusher, and that has only increased while watching the offseason trades in their division. To get one of the top 4 edge rushers KC has to be in the top 15 picks. To get there KC has to package at least one of their 1st Rd picks with a 2nd Rd pick or more. To get into the top 10 they have to give up both 1st Rd picks. Regardless, no matter where you are in the draft you can't find anyone as ready to contribute against the run and pass as much as Quinn in 2022. The Chiefs have some $18mil in cap room now but that will get eaten up by the large rookie pool, or they reduce the draft picks. They are also stuck with Frank Clark's contract. They'd need the Bears to take some of the cost of Quinn's deal but doing so just increases his draft pick value. If I were Poles I'd be asking pretty firm for pick 30. That's 620pts which could be a bit much but if KC won't take that, then to get one of the top 4 edge rushers it will cost them both 1st Rd picks and at least 1000pts. Even to get Ojabo they will likely have to move up to somewhere around 20 at a cost of 850pts. That's equivalent to a 1st and 2nd Rd pick. If Poles can't get the 1st Rd pick move back to 50 and 94 at 524pts and a floor of 50/121 in the 4th Rd at a cost of 452pts. https://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart.asp?RequestTeam=kc Draft day brings a different sense of urgency. It'll be interesting to see if any team has interest in Quinn.

That'll do. It's getting very difficult to have a good sense of where Raimann ranks on boards. I think early on he was generally a 5th Rd pick and now he's showing up often in the 2nd and I've seen some a couple people take him late 1st Rd.

I had forgotten about Ourlads, they are pretty good. Salyer looks good for OG.

Draft boards are being finalized and I figured I'd start linking to some of them. I'm interested in the top talent of course but what I like the most about draft time is finding day 3 gems. As usual there's a ton of variation in draft boards, here is Gil Brandt's and his WR rankings are quite a bit lower from what most people have. Which one does Poles' match up with best? So far Poles has kept the same scouting org but he's also publicly stated how impressed he was with their work. I think it's reasonable to assume we'll see similar traits drafted on day 3 that brought us players like Trevis Gipson and Darnell Mooney. Of course we also know that Eberflus' scheme on D needs different talent from what we've had. Just avoid the WTF moments of the Phil Emery era. https://www.nfl.com/news/gil-brandt-s-hot-100-ranking-top-prospects-in-2022-nfl-draft-class

Good article and he mentions the Bears. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2955183-2022-nfl-draft-the-most-overlooked-player-at-every-position and might as well add this one: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2955151-ranking-the-10-biggest-potential-steals-of-the-2022-nfl-draft

I feel like two good trades down, good meaning not dropping back too far, is the sweet spot. Using PFN on occasion someone like KC will offer up a trade from 48 to 50 and give me 121. I still prefer having two top 50 picks as that always seems to get two good starters for us. I don't know if that trade is realistic but I'd take it every time. Then I traded 71 with the Eagles for 83 and 124 just to see who would still be available. I like the players we got in exchange. I think everyone one of the players will either start or see playing time except for Jurgens who needs a lot of development, and Rose depending on who else we bring in in FA. On draft day I don't think Petit-Frere drops that far because he can play a premium position, those guys usually move up not down the board. 39 Kenyon Green OG 50 George Pickens WR 83 Nicholas Petit-Frere OT 121 Cade Otton TE 124 Cam Jurgens OC 148 Nick Cross S. 150 Haskell Garrett DT. 186 Mike Rose LB (You see him a lot in my mocks at our last pick because 1) we need depth at LB. 2) I watch a lot of Iowa St games and 3) he's just one of those gritty instinctual football players I like having in the box. We need someone at SLB for run downs and he can provide some pass coverage between the numbers. Other than that he's going to hustle to the ball on every play. What you saw out of Kwiatkoski around the LOS is what you'll get out of Rose).

He's not the most dynamic runner either but if we want TE depth a 4th Rd pick or even a 5th among players like Ruckert, Kolar, and others should be good enough to add depth.

No on the Dotson question. I don't think he's a difficult player to land in any draft. At 5'11". he ran a 4.43 forty but more disappointing is his 3-cone time of 7.28. At his size you want to see something below 7s indicating an ability to separate especially In contrast Jaquan Brisker S ran 6.91 at the pro day and that means Dotson had a chance to improve on his Combine 3-cone time but refused it. Then there is the issue of need. Mooney is going to stay outside. We have Pringle to work the slot so our biggest gap is at the X. That isn't what Dotson offers. He'd have to challenge Pringle for reps out of the slot and again, that 3-cone lack of quickness means that's not likely his best home. He probably needs to find a place where he can fill the same role Mooney does. I feel the same about Moore in that he's not an exceptional athlete. However, I listen to some of the WR experts talking about his route running being excellent and that puts him ahead of Dotson. It also means he's likely to find success earlier on the field either in the slot or outside. Again, he doesn't really fit the mold of an X. That brings me to either Pickens or Pierce. I prefer Pickens just based on his receiving ability, able to adjust to the ball anywhere, but that all depends on his health. OTOH I really like having an X who can get deep with Pierce having because that forces the safeties to worry about both sides of the field. He only ran a 4.41 so he doesn't have exceptional speed and he'll have to learn better route running especially on the shorter routes. That's the same issue for both Pickens and Pierce.

Oddly in a couple mocks lately I've ended up taking Dulcich TE out of UCLA in the 3rd Rd. For most of the the draft cycle I've really left that position alone but starting thinking lately that as receiving needs go there is no rule that says it has to be a WR. In fact, adding a WR and a receiving TE (along with having an OC who knows how to use them) might be the best thing for Fields. I've always admired what Baltimore did for Lamar Jackson and how they helped him with the 3 TE sets. Not to say we'd do that but definitely having 2 good TEs can be an asset if used correctly, and maybe even that occasional 3rd TE set with Horsted. Dulcich reminds me of Deguara who I wanted a couple years back as late day 3 pick. Deguara ended up in Green Bay and hasn't contributed much, just 245yds and 2 TDs last year. Dulcich, in game tape, seems a bit better and might be a bit more agile in his cuts. He's a former WR so maybe he just runs better routes because he seems to get better separation even from DBs, and they don't like tackling him. Neither were good blockers in college. Out of curiosity I checked the combine stats for both and they are fairly matched. The question then is what does Getsy think will help Fields the most (2 young WR or 1 WR 1 receiving TE) and what did he what did he think about how Deguara fit into what they were doing in GB. Or do they think Horsted can fill that receiving TE role for us? Assuming we already have a WR drafted, I'd rather use a 3rd Rd pick on another Oline or even Dline than a TE but I'm not totally against the idea if they feel it will help Fields. Dulcich isn't in the mold of Kelce, so there may very well be a TE later in the draft who can fill this role just as well for less draft capital. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/josiah-deguara/32004445-4770-3400-9fe2-3240dc1a9dab https://www.nfl.com/prospects/greg-dulcich/32004455-4c26-9681-69d0-93e30ab63839