Positional Group Selection

[adam]

Using the most likely draft selections from 1-9, what positional group rank do you think the Bears would most likely pick given the available options? 

[dawhizz]

I don’t love the options, but I think if we stick it will be DE. 

[AZ54]

DT2, or OT2 although if only Campbell is off the board I’d argue OT1 is still available.  

[Stinger226]

I liked DT 2 but could easily be DE2 or OT2 . I don't think any other positions make sense.

[AZ54]

7 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I liked DT 2 but could easily be DE2 or OT2 . I don't think any other positions make sense.

DE2 is a the 3rd good fit for me too, but IMO DE2 value falls way back to around 20-25.  I'd feel better with Banks or Nolen at 10.  There are rumors that Mason Graham is dropping.  Who knows what is real.  While I doubt he ever makes it to us at 10, DTs are not usually a high priority position in the draft.  If he falls out of the top 5 then trading up for him starts getting tempting around 7.  Which means giving up our 3rd Rd pick.   Graham and Jarrett side by side becomes must-see football for me.  Plus we have two big DEs squeezing the pocket off the edge waiting for the QB to try to escape, maybe 3 if we draft one more.  Interior pressure changes games.  Stunts become more effective.  Blitzes become a serious concern for the opponent.  

I'm not advocating we make a trade up as I still prefer the trade back option.  But the small move for Graham I'd accept.   We'd definitely give up depth somewhere for this season but if we don't go OT in round 1 it means the team has more confidence in Braxton than this board does.  Call that as you see it.  We can still add a good RB and DE ... or Oline depth if desired.  We lose out on decent depth at Safety, TE, and WR.   Safety becomes less of an issue with a really good dline. 

We can also wait and see which vets get cut after camp starts.  Cutting Bates can still free up $4mil so we have that as an option for a good late addition that might let us fill one of these gaps. If they see a good vet they really want to add they can also restructure DJ Moore's contract to free up more space.   

[Stinger226]

I don't like any idea of giving up more draft picks but if Graham makes it to 7, that cost diminishes a lot. I suspect there might be competition for that spot if it did happen driving the price up. So it may not be doable. 

Please 3 QBs early May do it.