How does ESPN know where the Bears are drafting?

[GakMan23]

Bears could look west for first pick

 

 

Todd McShay has Chicago drafting Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner with the 12th overall pick. Buckner is a good athlete for his size and is a handful for offensive linemen when he plays with leverage. McShay: First 2016 mock draft (Insider)

 

 

 

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Don't know much about him. I think they should look inside linebacker myself.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Bears could look west for first pick Todd McShay has Chicago drafting Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner with the 12th overall pick. Buckner is a good athlete for his size and is a handful for offensive linemen when he plays with leverage. McShay: First 2016 mock draft (Insider) share© Don't know much about him. I think they should look inside linebacker myself.

 

Mock: not authentic or real.... or to tease or laugh at?

 

Is McShay teasing us? Nothing wrong with a little "mock" draft to generate some interest.

 

As for DeForest Buckner, I wouldn't mind him if guys like Ronnie Stanley OT, Jaylon Smith LB, and Myles Jack LB, and Vernon Hargreaves CB are off the board. Too me, he is late first RD material like Eddie Goldman. He would be a force on the D line, but not a JJ Watt type.

 

 

[jason]

I would HATE that pick.

[scs787]

Assuming we grab a guy like Danny Travathon in FA, I would LOVE this pick. Buckner is a beast who probably doesn't make it out of the top 10.

 

Goldman-Buckner is the start of a DOMINATE front 3.

[jason]

Assuming we grab a guy like Danny Travathon in FA, I would LOVE this pick. Buckner is a beast who probably doesn't make it out of the top 10.

 

Goldman-Buckner is the start of a DOMINATE front 3.

 

Funny that you like him, because PFF says he is great. And we know now that PFF grades are hot garbage thrown into a statistical blender.

 

I watched the game vs Mich.St earlier this year and he looked slow. He had virtually no burst off the line. His pursuit was average. He just didn't really make an impact.

 

If you want him as a pure place-holder, edge setting, 5T DE in a 3-4, fine. He will do. But he won't get much pass rush for you. And, to be quite honest, huge dudes who solely set the edge can be had for much cheaper than a high 1st.

[AZ54]

Funny that you like him, because PFF says he is great. And we know now that PFF grades are hot garbage thrown into a statistical blender.

 

I watched the game vs Mich.St earlier this year and he looked slow. He had virtually no burst off the line. His pursuit was average. He just didn't really make an impact.

 

If you want him as a pure place-holder, edge setting, 5T DE in a 3-4, fine. He will do. But he won't get much pass rush for you. And, to be quite honest, huge dudes who solely set the edge can be had for much cheaper than a high 1st.

 

I saw Buckner's performance in that game the same way except I'll add that he is a beast and he's not moving anywhere he doesn't want to go. When a man is that physically talented over his college competition he'll get some good negative plays and his stats like sacks and TFL look very good. In the NFL there is much more needed to perform at a high level (what's expected from a top 15 pick).

 

After seeing some very good plays there were others where it appeared he had a lack of fire or desire to get to where he needed to be. That made me pause. If the light goes on I think he can be a dominate player in the NFL, in the mold of Calais Campbell, maybe better. If he still plays with that same mentality of waiting for things to come his way he'll be a good player (on any team) but he won't be a household name.

 

Is it Calais Campbell or Quinton Coples you are getting? Probably somewhere in between.

 

I still prefer either of the top two LB: Myles Jack (1st preference) or Jaylon Smith

[jason]

I saw Buckner's performance in that game the same way except I'll add that he is a beast and he's not moving anywhere he doesn't want to go. When a man is that physically talented over his college competition he'll get some good negative plays and his stats like sacks and TFL look very good. In the NFL there is much more needed to perform at a high level (what's expected from a top 15 pick).

 

After seeing some very good plays there were others where it appeared he had a lack of fire or desire to get to where he needed to be. That made me pause. If the light goes on I think he can be a dominate player in the NFL, in the mold of Calais Campbell, maybe better. If he still plays with that same mentality of waiting for things to come his way he'll be a good player (on any team) but he won't be a household name.

 

Is it Calais Campbell or Quinton Coples you are getting? Probably somewhere in between.

 

I still prefer either of the top two LB: Myles Jack (1st preference) or Jaylon Smith

 

Pretty much. Except I'd much rather have Reggie Ragland than Myles Jack. Problem is, I think there will be much better players available where the Bears will be picking than either Ragland or Jack. Jaylon Smith might be worth the pick.

[Boston Boxer]

I prefer ND Smith be an OLB. I like Reggie Ragland and would be a great start to building our D

[scs787]

I prefer ND Smith be an OLB. I like Reggie Ragland and would be a great start to building our D

 

Smith doesn't have the size to play OLB in 3-4.

 

I'm a Ragland fan as well, but like Jason said, there's gonna be better players on the board. Wouldn't mind trying to trade down and still snatch him up.

 

I really think Travathon comes here though and that MIGHT take out the need depending on whether Fangio really does like Shea enough to resign him(I hope not). I would love to see Travathon paired with Jack/Smith.

[AZ54]

Pretty much. Except I'd much rather have Reggie Ragland than Myles Jack. Problem is, I think there will be much better players available where the Bears will be picking than either Ragland or Jack. Jaylon Smith might be worth the pick.

 

 

 

 

I need to watch more film on Ragland. What I've seen so far he seems a little stiff in coverage and I think he'd be a better fit in a scheme that asked him to focus on playing downhill towards the LOS. Jaylon Smith and Myles Jack can both run and cover. Jack is more stout at the point of attack which is why I prefer him over Smith (who prefers to use his quickness to get around blocks). The thing with Jack is that he played multiple positions for UCLA including RB and this year dedicated to playing LB was cut short by the knee injury. So you didn't often see the instincts you want out of a top 15 pick. Given a couple years to focus on one position I think he'll excel.

 

Of course the flip side to that is the other guys, Smith and Ragland, may have the higher floor right now.

 

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Smith doesn't have the size to play OLB in 3-4.

 

I'm a Ragland fan as well, but like Jason said, there's gonna be better players on the board. Wouldn't mind trying to trade down and still snatch him up.

 

I really think Travathon comes here though and that MIGHT take out the need depending on whether Fangio really does like Shea enough to resign him(I hope not). I would love to see Travathon paired with Jack/Smith.

I can see the benefits of Smith, Jack, or Ragland. I know Smith and Ragland both play on teams with loaded defensive lines and Jack has Kenny Clark. Having talented fronts will free up the LB. I would be happy with any of these 3, but with Ragland if we traded down as you've stated. If they do plan on drafting LB, I do not think they sign one in FA if Shea is in the works still.

My thought process is if they want speed and coverage they go Myles Jack. Big downhill run stuffer is Reggie Ragland. A do all with higher leadership traits, Jaylon Smith. I wont be surprised with going O/D line either with Stanley or Buckner. I left out Ramsey and Hargreaves, but one of those could be in the mix if we select above 8 also.

[jason]

Guys, I've been watching/officiating Reggie Ragland since middle school. He is a stud. Period. He has all the athleticism and size needed. He can cover as well. In fact, his coverage skills are often surprising to opponents because his size doesn't usually allow for that type of movement. The only thing that ever held him back was effort on some plays, and that was drastically corrected at Alabama under Nick Saban. Ragland would be superb for us.

 

If we could trade down 5-10 spots, pick up a 3rd or so, and STILL get Ragland? That would be huge.

[AZ54]

Guys, I've been watching/officiating Reggie Ragland since middle school. He is a stud. Period. He has all the athleticism and size needed. He can cover as well. In fact, his coverage skills are often surprising to opponents because his size doesn't usually allow for that type of movement. The only thing that ever held him back was effort on some plays, and that was drastically corrected at Alabama under Nick Saban. Ragland would be superb for us.

 

If we could trade down 5-10 spots, pick up a 3rd or so, and STILL get Ragland? That would be huge.

 

If he's the player you described he will move up significantly as the draft process goes on, especially after the combine tests. Plus, if that's our biggest need at draft time we shouldn't risk losing him at all by moving back.

[AZ54]

Pretty much. Except I'd much rather have Reggie Ragland than Myles Jack. Problem is, I think there will be much better players available where the Bears will be picking than either Ragland or Jack. Jaylon Smith might be worth the pick.

 

 

I watched Ragland in games against Wisconsin, Auburn, and Georgia. He is faster are more mobile that I expected. I didn't see him cover anyone down field as Alabama mostly uses a zone so he'd just drop to his area. He generally did well covering players that were his responsibility although there were a few times he dropped into the same spot as the other ILB (one of them had to be wrong) leaving a huge gap in the middle of the field. That's a bit of a flag for me as far as assignment discipline. I never saw him turn and run with anyone down field but he has the speed and athleticism to do so IMO.

 

Still, in the box is where he excels. He's good at getting through the trash to get to the right spot. When he diagnoses where he needs to be he gets there in a hurry and is very good wrap up tackler. In short, he is exactly what we don't see in our current ILB group around the LOS. Bonus for him is that he can put his hand on the ground and rush the passer a bit. My biggest dislike is that once a play moves away from him he loafs. He's not one to chase down a play from across the field, more likely to assume his teammate will make that tackle. He doesn't stop moving toward the play but he's not using his burst to close as quickly as he could. A coach might be able to improve that.

 

Among the 3 LBs I still prefer Jack first because I believe his ceiling is higher than Ragland's. I know he can turn and run with any TE or RB 30 yards down field and he's stout enough to stand up Oline and shed to make a tackle.

 

Ragland would be my 2nd choice and really is not far behind Jack. Adding a physical in the box ILB would be a huge boost for our defense. He's better than Jack at diagnosing running plays and getting where he needs to be but just not as fluid in coverage. I think in time with more experience Jack will close that gap around the LOS, and likewise maybe Ragland closes the coverage gap with better coaching.

 

Smith is my 3rd choice, he's just not as physical around the LOS as the other two can be. He reminds me of Briggs in the way he diagnoses plays and bursts through a gap to make a tackle for a loss but he's not happy when the big boys get their hands on him.

 

A trade back and grabbing any of the three is not bad at all but, as you say, the talent where we are drafting might be so much better that it's not worth moving back. It will be interesting to watch how the draft process plays out for these three players. Here's one mock with all 3 gone in the top 16 picks. I'm not a historian but it seems rare to be talking about three ILB in/around the top 15 picks.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-dr...expert/rob-rang

 

http://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/positions/lb

[jason]

I watched Ragland in games against Wisconsin, Auburn, and Georgia. He is faster are more mobile that I expected. I didn't see him cover anyone down field as Alabama mostly uses a zone so he'd just drop to his area. He generally did well covering players that were his responsibility although there were a few times he dropped into the same spot as the other ILB (one of them had to be wrong) leaving a huge gap in the middle of the field. That's a bit of a flag for me as far as assignment discipline. I never saw him turn and run with anyone down field but he has the speed and athleticism to do so IMO.

 

Still, in the box is where he excels. He's good at getting through the trash to get to the right spot. When he diagnoses where he needs to be he gets there in a hurry and is very good wrap up tackler. In short, he is exactly what we don't see in our current ILB group around the LOS. Bonus for him is that he can put his hand on the ground and rush the passer a bit. My biggest dislike is that once a play moves away from him he loafs. He's not one to chase down a play from across the field, more likely to assume his teammate will make that tackle. He doesn't stop moving toward the play but he's not using his burst to close as quickly as he could. A coach might be able to improve that.

 

Among the 3 LBs I still prefer Jack first because I believe his ceiling is higher than Ragland's. I know he can turn and run with any TE or RB 30 yards down field and he's stout enough to stand up Oline and shed to make a tackle.

 

Ragland would be my 2nd choice and really is not far behind Jack. Adding a physical in the box ILB would be a huge boost for our defense. He's better than Jack at diagnosing running plays and getting where he needs to be but just not as fluid in coverage. I think in time with more experience Jack will close that gap around the LOS, and likewise maybe Ragland closes the coverage gap with better coaching.

 

Smith is my 3rd choice, he's just not as physical around the LOS as the other two can be. He reminds me of Briggs in the way he diagnoses plays and bursts through a gap to make a tackle for a loss but he's not happy when the big boys get their hands on him.

 

A trade back and grabbing any of the three is not bad at all but, as you say, the talent where we are drafting might be so much better that it's not worth moving back. It will be interesting to watch how the draft process plays out for these three players. Here's one mock with all 3 gone in the top 16 picks. I'm not a historian but it seems rare to be talking about three ILB in/around the top 15 picks.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-dr...expert/rob-rang

 

http://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/positions/lb

 

Wow. I sure hope the draft doesn't play out like that. To be three picks away and see two of the guys I really want get picked the two picks before ours would really hurt. And I'm still not a Buckner fan. If the draft plays out that way, I'd rather get Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida.

[Mongo3451]

Wow. I sure hope the draft doesn't play out like that. To be three picks away and see two of the guys I really want get picked the two picks before ours would really hurt. And I'm still not a Buckner fan. If the draft plays out that way, I'd rather get Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida.

If Nkemdeche sp fell to a spot ahead of us, that would the Aaron Donald thing all over again. I'm still pissed we drafted SMC over Jones...kik

[jason]

If Nkemdeche sp fell to a spot ahead of us, that would the Aaron Donald thing all over again. I'm still pissed we drafted SMC over Jones...kik

 

You're pissed? I've wanted to upgrade the Bears OL for as long as I can remember, and in that draft the Bears selected SMC over:

Riley Reiff - Damn good LT for the Lions

David Decastro - Stud OG for the Steelers

Kevin Zeitler - Stud OG for the Bengals

 

That pissed me off. Especially since Decastro was viewed as an absolute day one start no-doubter at OG.

 

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

You're pissed? I've wanted to upgrade the Bears OL for as long as I can remember, and in that draft the Bears selected SMC over:

Riley Reiff - Damn good LT for the Lions

David Decastro - Stud OG for the Steelers

Kevin Zeitler - Stud OG for the Bengals

 

That pissed me off. Especially since Decastro was viewed as an absolute day one start no-doubter at OG.

 

Hopefully those days are over with Pace. As we can see from today, the oline still needs addressing.

[lemonej]

Pretty much. Except I'd much rather have Reggie Ragland than Myles Jack. Problem is, I think there will be much better players available where the Bears will be picking than either Ragland or Jack. Jaylon Smith might be worth the pick.

 

Ding Ding!