adam

For the Claypool trade, here are a few receivers that may be available when the Bears would've picked in the 2nd: Claypool vs WRs projected between 30-45: Chase Claypool 66-1037, 13 TD; 6'4", 238 Jalin Hyatt, TEN, 67-1267, 15 TD; 6'0", 185 Kayshon Boutte, LSU, 48-538, 2 TD, 6'0", 205 Rashee Rice, SMU, 96-1355, 10 TD, 6'2", 203 Rice is the closest in height, but no one is close in weight and overall size. For production, Rice and Hyatt were both really productive this year. Hyatt is not much bigger than Mooney. Boutte disappeared in games. The question is Hyatt or Rice worth the #32 pick. If the answer is no, then the trade was actually the right move. If you believe one or both of them are worthy of #32, then it was a bad trade. To me, it is still up in the air as Claypool is a known commodity and none of these rookies are.

The Draft Network's last mock has the Bears trading with the Colts: Bears get: #4, #35, #105, 2024 1st, and 2024 2nd Colts get: #1 That would be a haul for the Bears. Assuming the Colts are still bad next year, that should be a top 10 pick and top 40 pick in 2024.

Here are a few, I like the ones with the easy to read tables. Most of these sites have mock drafts too: https://www.drafttek.com/2023-NFL-Draft-Big-Board/Top-NFL-Draft-Prospects-2023-Page-1.asp https://www.tankathon.com/nfl/big_board https://www.pff.com/draft https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-prospects-2023-rankings/a31k4ake2cmnf8elanbwoag0 https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/positions/ALL/1/2023 https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/bestavailable https://thedraftnetwork.com/2023-nfl-mock-draft-non-playoff-order/

The Bears were the only team with over 3000 rushing yards (team record) and even though a lot of that was Fields, the TEs and WRs had some great blocks. I don't know if anyone besides PFF but just from the eyeball test, he was definitely in the top half of the league as a blocker.

I would love Engram. Seems like a perfect compliment to Kmet. What about someone like Pollard? Saquon's injury history would scare me.

Kliff Kingsbury and GM fired in AZ. Another potential trading partner at #3. Panthers, Colts, Texans, and potentially the Cardinals all could be in the market for a rookie QB:

That dude has gotten a raw deal ever since the Bears fired him after going 10-6. He has been the scapegoat every time. The Bears need to bring him on as an Associate Head Coach or something like that.

The mock draft simulations are insane now.

Basic Trade Scenarios with teams most likely in need of a QB. Using the trade value chart, what would the Bears realistically get in a return for the #1 pick: 1. HOU, 1 for 2, 3000 - 2600 = 400 (2nd rounder). Moving up to #1 normally costs a little more than any other move. I could see the Bears getting a 2nd (#33) plus maybe a 3rd or 4th in 2024. 2. IND, 1 for 4, 3000 - 1800 = 1200 (1st rounder+). Since this would be a jump to #1 and leapfrogging a division opponent, it won't be cheap. I could see Indy giving up #4, #35, and a 2024 1st rounder at a minimum. 3. DET 1 for 6&18, 3000 - 1600 - 900 = 500 (2nd rounder+). Detroit has two first rounders, so that helps them a lot if they are interested. Trading with a division opponent is rare. It will take at least #6 + #18 + #47 + another 2023 pick + something in 2024. This would be a great package for the Bears, especially if 3 QBs went in the top 5. 4. LVR 1 for 7, 3000 - 1500 = 1500 (multiple 1st rounders). This jump may be out of the Bears range, but it would give them #7, 2024 1st, 2025 1st, and another pick in 2023 at least. 5. ATL 1 for 8, 3000 - 1400 = 1600 (multiple 1st rounders+). Just like LVR, this is a huge jump and would cost #8, 2024 1st, 2025 1st, and some additional picks (2nd and 3rd rounders) 6. CAR 1 for 9, 3000 - 1350 = 1650 (multiple 1st rounders+). This may be too big of a jump, but if CAR wants their guy, they would have to give up #9, 2024 1st, 2025 1st, and some additional picks (2nd and 3rd rounders). It still feels like HOU or IND will be the best candidates. If HOU is happy with the 2nd QB, they will stay put. After the Rivers, Ryan, Foles fiasco of the last few years, I am sure management in IND is going to want to get their QB, which resets their time. If players are involved, IND and LVR have some potential trade candidates, if Poles wants to go that route. Obviously getting Davante from the Raiders would be insane and that trade would still net them multiple 1st's plus Adams. Don't be surprised if Poles trades down twice. There is such a huge gap between picks that he may want to take a few more swings in the top 50. Either way, it is hard to imagine anyone messing this up, unless he just keeps the pick and drafts a QB.

I still can't believe what I watched in the Texans game for the Bears to get the #1 pick. The Colts ended up 0-1-1 vs the Texans, even the tie was all that was needed for the Bears to get the 1st pick because if the Texans and Bears tied, the Bears would've picked #2 due to SoS.

OK, yesterday could not finish any better. The Bears got the 1st overall pick in the draft, both DET and GB miss the playoffs, and Erin Rodgers' last throw is an interception. Here is the playoff schedule for next weekend, KC and PHI have the byes: SEA@SF (I assume SF will use this as a partial bye week) - SF (felt like a blowout from the 1Q) NYG@MIN (Both teams have a negative pts differential - Loser Bowl?) - MIN DAL@TB (DAL lost to WAS this week and lost out on a home playoff game) - DAL MIA@BUF (will Tua play, split season series, both games decided by 3pts or less) - BUF BAL@CIN (rematch from Week 18, will Lamar play?) - CIN LAC@JAX (LAC lost to JAX 38-10 in Week 3) - JAX (JAX wins despite 4 INTs from TLaw)

Kmet finishes the year with 50-544 and 7 TDs (1st on team in every category) in the worst passing offense in the league. The yardage was 13th for TEs but was only 33 yards from 10th and he didn't have any receptions in the first 2 games. He finished 3rd in TD receptions for TEs, only behind Kelce and Kittle.

Yeah, I don't know when is the last time a team had the highest cap space, the #1 pick, a franchise QB on their rookie deal (for 3 more years), and the same coaching staff all in the same offseason. Rarely, if ever, does a team have all of those.

It would be absolutely incredible if Poles can trade down one to HOU, then trade from 2 to 4 with Indy. Both who take QBs. So the Bears could pick 4th and take one of Anderson, Carter or Skoronski, add #33, #35 (they could trade down from either) in this draft and an extra 2024 2nd and 4th just to move down 3 spots. That would give the Bears #4, #33, #35, Claypool, #54 (BAL), and #64. 5 picks and Claypool in the first 65 picks.

Indy is the perfect trade partner right now, #5 as they can pass HOU for the QB they want. If 2 QBs go in top 5, you can still get Carter, Anderson, or Skoronski at #5. The assumption is HOU is taking one of them. So it is a trade up with the Bears, Seattle, Arizona, or Indy for the other potential QB landing spots. I could even see HOU trading up to #1 to ensure they get their guy. The Bears could get HOU's 2nd rounder (#33) and probably another later pick (like a 2024 4th). So 1 for 1, 33, and a 4th. The Bears traded 2x 3rds (67 and 70) and a 4th (#111) to move up from 3 to 2. However, 2 to 1 is a bigger move. So a 2nd and a future 4th would seem comparable. If I am the Bears, unless there is a haul, this would not be a bad move since you literally are getting a couple of free picks (and the Claypool back) for nothing as HOU should be picking first anyway. The move from 2 to 1 basically gave the Bears an extra 2nd round pick in any trade scenario.

Yeah, that is probably the only negative right now. Claypool for #32 is a terrible trade.

Poles now controls free agency and the draft!

Unbelievable!!!!!! Davis Mills on a 4th Down Hail Mary TD, then a 2 point conversion FOR THE WIN! Absolutely insane! BEAR DOWN!

With your comment about Harrison, I think Poles is going to load up on as many 2024 picks as he can so he can trade up if necessary to grab him.

Pollard would be very interesting coupled with Fields. Dak is like a poor man's Fields at this point. More polished as a Passer, but still makes some terrible decisions and is not the runner like Fields. RPO with Pollard and Fields would be fun. Pollard hits the hole so fast that the Edge would be a wasted player on the field every time that was run.

I am glad Hamlin is recovering, that was crazy. The AFC playoff stuff with the canceled game is also wild. Baltimore could beat the Bengals twice but because of the lost game, they would need a coin flip to get a home game, when it should be theirs outright. If really feels like they blundered this. They could've easily had BUF-CIN finish their game, then started the AFC playoffs the following weekend. This option just didn't make sense to me. Teams that didn't even play in that game are impacted by the decision. In general, it seems like a bunch of teams are resting starters, some for the playoffs, some for other reasons *cough* tank *cough*. So there is a chance a team like Denver wins, or even Houston, which would be epic for the Bears. Lovie needs to give us one more on his way out. Go Texans! Of course GB gets the best deal, playing after the Seattle game, so Detroit will know if they have a shot at the playoffs or not before the game. I can't see Detroit winning if Seattle wins and Detroit has nothing to play for. I know Campbell is a bite your kneecaps kinda guy, but nothing is worse than playing that last game of the season when you know you have no shot at the playoffs. Most guys are just trying to avoid injury the entire game. ARob was the king of this. It feels like KC or CIN are the most consistent teams in the AFC and PHI and SF in the NFC. I am curious to see how far SF can get with Purdy at QB. It feels like he is going to let them down at some point. My guess is PHI vs KC in the SB with PHI winning it.

So just like Brisker are you saying Poles is using the late 2nd on a RB?

As much as a don't always agree with PFF as some of their evals are complete BS, their mock draft simulator is arguably the best one out there with realistic trades including rostered players. I guess they use their PFF score to give players values for trades. Very cool.

Absolutely, with any second contract RB, you are buying a Mustang that was a rental car. However, there are a bunch of guys with a lot more miles than some of the others, and I am sure this will come into play. Jacobs has over 1000 carries and is only 25. Monty has a lot of wear and tear and this may be a factor in them moving on from him. Career Rushing Attempts Jacobs 1055 Barkley 954 Montgomery 908 Williams 899 Hunt 891 Sanders 728 ------------- Robinson 514 Pollard 503 Jones 496 Harris 436 Foreman 431 Penny 337 I like the group below the line. Robinson was a 1K back, Pollard has looked explosive rushing and receiving. Foreman has looked solid for a terrible Panthers team.

Skoronski dominated from the first day in the door at Northwestern, even as an undergrad. His grandfather is an ex-NFL OT, so he has it in his DNA. He has been an elite pass blocker who only allowed 5 sacks in 2381 snaps (1 every 476 snaps) and was a starter since he was a freshman (18 yrs old). Most draft sites have him as the top ranked OL and a top 5 prospect. I haven't seen him past #2 OL and #10 overall. Proximity to Halas Hall make scouting him (talking with coaches, etc) much easier and more thorough.