Five Current Bears Who May Determine Bears' Draft Plans

[dawhizz]

I keep trying to figure out what kind of strategy we are likely to see with this upcoming draft from the Bears, but I'm stuck because I have no idea how the new coaches and Poles see some of the current players.  In my mind, I think it's mostly their evaluation of these five players that will be most crucial:

-Kiran Amegadjie - He was obviously drafted to be the future LT.  He was rushed into service last year when they had no intention of getting him in a game last year, even before he was hurt in the preseason and missed valuable experience, and as a result had some very bad reps but also had plenty of good ones.  He probably has some flexibility as a swing tackle or even guard.  Do they still believe in him, and if so how much?  Does he take LT off the table at #10, or do they think they need an upgrade there?

-Roschon Johnson - There's a world where D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson can be a pretty credible recreation of the Gibbs/Montgomery dynamic from Detroit.  Remember, Roschon was seen as an ascending player, then they Bears went out and got Swift.  Roschon dealt with injuries last year but still has a skill set very suitable for the Ben Johnson scheme.  So, are they ready to start giving him more carries, or do they think an upgrade is needed at RB that requires a day 1 or day 2 pick?

Jaquan Brisker - How scared are they of the concussion stuff last year which seemed like it was only going to keep him out a few weeks, then suddenly he was out for the year.  So where is he at?  I think they like the Brisker/Byard pairing in theory, but if one of those guys go down, I don't think they like the depth pieces on this team (Owens is good in a nickel or fifth/sixth DB role but less so as a starting safety).  So how early do they start thinking of picking up a safety they have more confidence in?

Cole Kmet - I keep on seeing Tyler Warren buzz at #10.  I don't really get it, but I can appreciate the thought.  But where are the Bears on him?  I don't see any reason Ben Johnson couldn't get him LaPorta type production, but maybe he wants something different from the TE.  

Ryan Bates - Similar to the Brisker situation, just as a back-up.  How do you feel about where his medicals are?  If he's a keeper, he gives you some really good flexibility for injuries along the interior O-line.  If not (and maybe even if so), then you probably need to invest in at least a mid-round pick to develop.  But the priority of addressing that position is probably tied to how they feel about Bates.

Anyone I missed?

[AZ54]

Edmunds and Edwards.  There’s no reason for Johnson to think he has to get all of the roster fixed this year.  If you look at the two year horizon then BPA becomes more likely at LB should someone they really like fall to say Rd 3.  

[Stinger226]

4 hours ago, dawhizz said:

I keep trying to figure out what kind of strategy we are likely to see with this upcoming draft from the Bears, but I'm stuck because I have no idea how the new coaches and Poles see some of the current players.  In my mind, I think it's mostly their evaluation of these five players that will be most crucial:

-Kiran Amegadjie - He was obviously drafted to be the future LT.  He was rushed into service last year when they had no intention of getting him in a game last year, even before he was hurt in the preseason and missed valuable experience, and as a result had some very bad reps but also had plenty of good ones.  He probably has some flexibility as a swing tackle or even guard.  Do they still believe in him, and if so how much?  Does he take LT off the table at #10, or do they think they need an upgrade there?

-Roschon Johnson - There's a world where D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson can be a pretty credible recreation of the Gibbs/Montgomery dynamic from Detroit.  Remember, Roschon was seen as an ascending player, then they Bears went out and got Swift.  Roschon dealt with injuries last year but still has a skill set very suitable for the Ben Johnson scheme.  So, are they ready to start giving him more carries, or do they think an upgrade is needed at RB that requires a day 1 or day 2 pick?

Jaquan Brisker - How scared are they of the concussion stuff last year which seemed like it was only going to keep him out a few weeks, then suddenly he was out for the year.  So where is he at?  I think they like the Brisker/Byard pairing in theory, but if one of those guys go down, I don't think they like the depth pieces on this team (Owens is good in a nickel or fifth/sixth DB role but less so as a starting safety).  So how early do they start thinking of picking up a safety they have more confidence in?

Cole Kmet - I keep on seeing Tyler Warren buzz at #10.  I don't really get it, but I can appreciate the thought.  But where are the Bears on him?  I don't see any reason Ben Johnson couldn't get him LaPorta type production, but maybe he wants something different from the TE.  

Ryan Bates - Similar to the Brisker situation, just as a back-up.  How do you feel about where his medicals are?  If he's a keeper, he gives you some really good flexibility for injuries along the interior O-line.  If not (and maybe even if so), then you probably need to invest in at least a mid-round pick to develop.  But the priority of addressing that position is probably tied to how they feel about Bates.

Anyone I missed?

Agree with your assessment. If you not drafting a bonafide LT at 10, then it's not our first pick. If you're bringing in a Grant or Connorly that need time to develop, that person is on the roster, Kiran A. I think they let Braxton and him play it out. 

I think they bring in a RB for competition but they may think Johnson and Swift fit the two back system Johnson runs. The load back changes the offense Johnson wants. 

If they draft a S in the first 4 picks then we know they aren't counting on Brisker to be healthy going forward.

Cole Kmet is a top 10 TE, just needs targets. They still could bring in Warren but because of his potential as a weapon for Ben or a latter pick.

Bates is still here which tells me his health must be okay. Why else would they have not cut him for a 4 mil Cap boost. Like you said, he can play all 3 IOL spots. 

Looking at the roster Bates, Murray, Stromberg, and Jordan McFadden seem to be our backup IOL. Pryor just got signed with Philly so they must be good with the depth. 

[Mongo3451]

For two reasons I would eliminate Kiran.  Not enough good tape on him and no great LOT in this draft. 

Brisker is huge, especially with Byard aging.

Kmet is marginal to be upgraded, but there are two good TE's that should be drafted on the top twenty. 

A guy I would add is Dexter.  People may disagree, but I don't see him as an effective pass rusher.  His best position looks to be 1 tech.  He should be able to handle the weight easily.  Definitely look for new blood at 3 tech.

One would hope that Johnson and Swift can be Monty and Gibbs, but neither of our guys is as good as either of theirs.  Definitely look for an upgrade here.  I honestly would not be surprised with Jeanty.  IMO-Jeanty is the best back to come out since Peterson.

[Stinger226]

5 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

For two reasons I would eliminate Kiran.  Not enough good tape on him and no great LOT in this draft. 

Brisker is huge, especially with Byard aging.

Kmet is marginal to be upgraded, but there are two good TE's that should be drafted on the top twenty. 

A guy I would add is Dexter.  People may disagree, but I don't see him as an effective pass rusher.  His best position looks to be 1 tech.  He should be able to handle the weight easily.  Definitely look for new blood at 3 tech.

One would hope that Johnson and Swift can be Monty and Gibbs, but neither of our guys is as good as either of theirs.  Definitely look for an upgrade here.  I honestly would not be surprised with Jeanty.  IMO-Jeanty is the best back to come out since Peterson.

Actually the trajectory of Dexter is pretty good, he had better stats the the great Phillys Carter did last year minus the pass rush win rate, if you're into adv. stats. I'm not saying he is as good as Carter but not far behind. I expect 8-9 sacks this year with the additional DL players added.

I think in the pass rush scheme, Dexter is the NT and Jarrett the 3T.

I can see Sweat - Jarrett - Dexter- Dayo actually being pretty good.

If they don't draft a LT at 10 or 39, I think they have faith in Kiran A to fall in place.

[Mongo3451]

8 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

Actually the trajectory of Dexter is pretty good, he had better stats the the great Phillys Carter did last year minus the pass rush win rate, if you're into adv. stats. I'm not saying he is as good as Carter but not far behind. I expect 8-9 sacks this year with the additional DL players added.

I hope you are right, but honestly don't see it.  He always seems a little late to the party for my taste.  I love his hustle though.  I like Jarrett, but we should temper our expectations of him.  He's trending down.

[Stinger226]

2 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

I hope you are right, but honestly don't see it.  He always seems a little late to the party for my taste.  I love his hustle though.  I like Jarrett, but we should temper our expectations of him.  He's trending down.

Jarrett not going to have great stats but with guarded snaps, should have a couple big play a game. More of a facilitator for the other the guys. He will demand attention leaving them one on one.

[AZ54]

On 3/28/2025 at 6:43 AM, Mongo3451 said:

I hope you are right, but honestly don't see it.  He always seems a little late to the party for my taste.  I love his hustle though.  I like Jarrett, but we should temper our expectations of him.  He's trending down.

Dexter had far less help next to him than Carter last season.  I’d like to see what he can do with a legit starter next to him.  I view Billings as a good depth rotation player.  

[Stinger226]

4 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Dexter had far less help next to him than Carter last season.  I’d like to see what he can do with a legit starter next to him.  I view Billings as a good depth rotation player.  

Billings is like the Sanborn type player, you notice him but his play overall is just average. Not everyone on a team is going to be a star, lots of these types on NFL rosters. His snaps will slow down this year because of the younger guys we draft but at least Poles got value with his contract. 

 

[Mongo3451]

11 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Dexter had far less help next to him than Carter last season.  I’d like to see what he can do with a legit starter next to him.  I view Billings as a good depth rotation player.  

Agreed, he had less help than Carter.  To me, the comparison ends there.  Carter is special.  

[AZ54]

10 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Agreed, he had less help than Carter.  To me, the comparison ends there.  Carter is special.  

We'll disagree.  I think his physical talent is special.  The mental side I haven't seen yet.  He's still young and if that light goes on he'll be unstoppable.  

[Mongo3451]

2 hours ago, AZ54 said:

We'll disagree.  I think his physical talent is special.  The mental side I haven't seen yet.  He's still young and if that light goes on he'll be unstoppable.  

The light was definitely on in the Superbowl.  He was the reason everybody else got turned loose on the DL.  Watch Brian Baldinger break him down on film.  

[Stinger226]

4 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

The light was definitely on in the Superbowl.  He was the reason everybody else got turned loose on the DL.  Watch Brian Baldinger break him down on film.  

Agree he is a special player but the argument is not that Dexter is equal to that but not far behind as a second round pick. He will shine this year with better pieces around him. The season will dictate the winner of the argument.

[BearFan PHX]

Everyone knew Carter would be great. The question was whether he would get into trouble, become a locker room cancer. In Philadelphia, they have the veteran leadership on the line to keep that from happening. There is nothing that says that if we had picked him that he would do for us what he has done for Philly. I really wonder how he would have handled last year on our team.

Also, we took Wright over Carter, not Dexter?

[ASHKUM BEAR]

38 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

Everyone knew Carter would be great. The question was whether he would get into trouble, become a locker room cancer. In Philadelphia, they have the veteran leadership on the line to keep that from happening. There is nothing that says that if we had picked him that he would do for us what he has done for Philly. I really wonder how he would have handled last year on our team.

Also, we took Wright over Carter, not Dexter?

Now do WR George Pickens...

As long as the McKaskeys are owners, the Bears will walk the fine line with character.  They might be called the Monsters but they are the loveable cartoon ones. 

I'll add the Bears took Gordon and Brisker ahead of Pickens, then in the 3rd took Velus "V12" Jones Jr.  

[BearFan PHX]

20 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Now do WR George Pickens...

As long as the McKaskeys are owners, the Bears will walk the fine line with character.  They might be called the Monsters but they are the loveable cartoon ones. 

I'll add the Bears took Gordon and Brisker ahead of Pickens, then in the 3rd took Velus "V12" Jones Jr.  

Its a good point. We do need to bring in some personalities at times, and the McCaskeys have been afraid of that. I do think that we made the right decision on Carter, but what youre saying is also right. Now that we have a real coaching staff, maybe we can keep a couple guys in line who have talent and troubled egos.

You wouldnt want to pass on Deion Sanders, Randy Moss or Ray Lewis just because they might swear on Hard Knocks.

Hopefully we are building a team that can handle more than the Trestman/Nagy/Eberflus approach in the future.

[AZ54]

4 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Now do WR George Pickens...

As long as the McKaskeys are owners, the Bears will walk the fine line with character.  They might be called the Monsters but they are the loveable cartoon ones. 

I'll add the Bears took Gordon and Brisker ahead of Pickens, then in the 3rd took Velus "V12" Jones Jr.  

George Pickens is an elite mouth, not an elite athlete.  

[Mongo3451]

1 hour ago, AZ54 said:

George Pickens is an elite mouth, not an elite athlete.  

He's an elite mouth and athlete...

[Stinger226]

21 hours ago, AZ54 said:

George Pickens is an elite mouth, not an elite athlete.  

We don't need me me me players on the team. Poles like of quality characters does have its advantages.