Mock'd Offseason (Pre-Combine)

[Les Grossman]

No, Moehrig is an upgrade over the 32-year-old Byard, and by cutting Byard, you clear salary to help cover the cost of the signing. Even if Brisker plays the entire season, I don't see the Bears signing him to a long-term contract, and they're definitely not extending a 33-year-old safety.

You missed the point. Brisker likely won't play the entire season because he's no reliable. That's the problem. What do you do then?

 

[dennehy]

Strong running games are way more dependent on OL than RB.

 

[Xplosive]

Edwards is the will.

Yes, but he can be a much cheaper Mike if the Bears move on from Edmunds after this season. Same goes for Sanborn who can also be the Mike.

 

[Xplosive]

Brisker can’t make the move to FS. He likes to hit too much and will always have his eyes in the backfield and bite on PA. No way.

He was the FS his first season and Eddie Jackson was the SS. He has always been able to play either safety position even in college.

 

[dennehy]

Yes, but he can be a much cheaper Mike if the Bears move on from Edmunds after this season. Same goes for Sanborn who can also be the Mike.

Why would you move him from Will? Just put Sanborn at Mike and Edwards at Will, and then you can use that 3rd rounder on something much more useful.

Edwards is likely better than a draft pick and is probably the most consistently good player on the defense, other than Jaylon.

 

[Xplosive]

Why would you move him from Will? Just put Sanborn at Mike and Edwards at Will, and then you can use that 3rd rounder on something much more useful.

Because he is slow. He played Mike for Philly and he really is better at it than Will. Edmunds wanted to play the Urlachler role for Eberflus so since he fit the physical profile the Bears overpaid to bring him in.

The Will is a the smaller faster player, Bassa will be a much better Will than Edwards or Sanborn.

 

[Xplosive]

And so is a great defense, and so is a good OL, and so is good TE, and so is a a good WR, ...

You can't have a strong running game without a good OL. Let's start there people. RBs can be found all over the draft.

Thats why I have them paying $21M AAV on a right guard, plus bringin in an experienced Center, and taking another left guard in the draft... All before taking the RB.

 

[dennehy]

Because he is slow. He played Mike for Philly and he really is better at it than Will. Edmunds wanted to play the Urlachler role for Eberflus so since he fit the physical profile the Bears overpaid to bring him in.

The Will is a the smaller faster player, Bassa will be a much better Will than Edwards or Sanborn.

He's not too slow obviously. He's been the Bears' 2nd best defender for his time here.

You're just creating a hole just to fill it (in 2026, guy's a backup in 2025) instead of filling way more important positions. Bassa will sit on the bench behind Edwards. So not sure how he is going to be a much better Will.

 

[Xplosive]

He's not too slow obviously. He's been the Bears' 2nd best defender for his time here.

You're just creating a hole just to fill it (in 2026, guy's a backup in 2025) instead of filling way more important positions. Bassa will sit on the bench behind Edwards. So not sure how he is going to be a much better Will.

Building a team requires projection of what a player can develop into, you dont wait for a total collapse and then scramble to fill the hole.

Edmunds is mediocre and would be cut this year if his cap hit wasnt so terrible. Edwards is in the last year year of his contract. Dont wait until 2026 to realize there will be a hole that may require replacing both starting linebackers.

Using a third rounder on a player that needs a little time to develop and bulk up is called smart roster management.

 

[Runruffshod75]

I like everything but the first pick. I don't want any part of Mykel Williams.

 

[dennehy]

Building a team requires projection of what a player can develop into, you dont wait for a total collapse and then scramble to fill the hole.

Edmunds is mediocre and would be cut this year if his cap hit wasnt great. Edwards is in the last year year of his contract. Dont wait until 2026 to realize there will be hole that may require replacing both starting linebackers.

Using a third rounder on a player that needs a little time to develop and bulk up is called smart roster management.

Using a third rounder on a sub-package type of player when he has zero chance of starting at a non-premium position where bench guys don't play just isn't a good use of resources imo. If your team had a #3 WR, or any depth along the DL or at S, I could see using the pick on an off-ball LB (it probably wouldn't be Bassa though). I'd rather have a hole to fill next year than several unfilled this year.

 

[Xplosive]

I like everything but the first pick. I don't want any part of Mykel Williams.

In an alternate universe this mock had many differences including Myles Garrett for #10 and a 2026 pick or Joshua Simmons at #16 after trading back...

End of the I know Williams isnt a perfect prospect but he fits the prototype of what Dennis Allen wants. I consider him a boom or bust prospect and I trust Allen to get the most out of him.

I think if Mykel Williams went back for his senior season and took the next step in development he would be a top 5 pick and maybe #1 overall in 2026.

 

[Xplosive]

Using a third rounder on a sub-package type of player when he has zero chance of starting at a non-premium position where bench guys don't play just isn't a good use of resources imo. If your team had a #3 WR, or any depth along the DL or at S, I could see using the pick on an off-ball LB (it probably wouldn't be Bassa though). I'd rather have a hole to fill next year than several unfilled this year.

Wait did you look at my final roster??? There is plenty of depth on the DL and basically no holes outside of LT.

I suppose 3rd WR is debatable but unlike some, I think Scott still has talent and he played well with Caleb when actually on the field together. The problem is he was never going to get playing time over Keenan Allen.

 

[napo55]

Strong running games are way more dependent on OL than RB.

Actually, they are both important to a good running game. Ask Detroit and Philadelphia.
Fortunately, I think the new coaching regime understands this and RB will be addressed early in the draft. But we shall see...

 

[Runruffshod75]

Because he is slow. He played Mike for Philly and he really is better at it than Will. Edmunds wanted to play the Urlachler role for Eberflus so since he fit the physical profile the Bears overpaid to bring him in.

The Will is a the smaller faster player, Bassa will be a much better Will than Edwards or Sanborn.

Edmunds will be fine if they finally add a real DT tandem in front of him. Your DTs should the best players in your 4-3. The Bears DTs are the weakest link in their defense.

Right now COVER 2 and.other 2 DEEP variants are the most commonly used defensive playes. Even with a different DC your going to need a LB like Edmunds to drop the pipe C2 and man up in a 2 DEEP Man.

If your running any even front 1GAP you need a DT tandem like Tank and Tommie where BOTH DTs can get to the QB and BOTH DTs can consistently shut down the run.

Instead of the current DT tandem where Billings is good against the run but nothing special as a passrusher and Dexter who gets a handful of Sacks with QB pressures while Sweat is doubled off the edge, and is a bowling pin against the run.

This defense needs a significantly better DT tandem.

 

[dennehy]

Wait did you look at my final roster??? There is plenty of depth on the DL and basically no holes outside of LT.

I suppose 3rd WR is debatable but unlike some, I think Scott still has talent and he played well with Caleb when actually on the field together. The problem is he was never going to get playing time over Keenan Allen.

Nazir Stackhouse is a 6th rounder and Javon Hargrave is injured, not cut for cap relief.

Other than that it's Billings coming off a major injury and Dexter. That is beyond thin.

Scott was behind several other WRs, including Carter.

 

[dennehy]

Actually, they are both important to a good running game. Ask Detroit and Philadelphia.
Fortunately, I think the new coaching regime understands this and RB will be addressed early in the draft. But we shall see...

I mean just look at Saquon on NYG. Then look at him last year with PHI. Look at Swift last year with PHI, then this year with Bears. Swift had nearly a yard per carry more than Barkley over 4 years. Then put them on different teams and Barkley averages 2 mpre ypc.

Any DET RB has been very good since their OL has been good. Many examples abound. OL is many times more important. Philly has had a good running game for many years with different RBs because of their OL.

 

[maxhatter]

You missed the point. Brisker likely won't play the entire season because he's no reliable. That's the problem. What do you do then?

I didn't miss the point; I have another way of looking at it. Moehrig is a versatile safety and can play alongside Brisker or replace him if he goes out. As Byard has aged, he isn't someone you want playing over the top anymore. Byard played better last year once Brisker went out, and they moved him closer to the line of scrimmage. He isn't worth $8.5M, and that money can be better used elsewhere. As far as covering yourself against losing Brisker to injury again (which is likely), you're in the same situation whether or not you move Byard.

 

[dabears70]

I think you are being a bit short sighted. Byard was a pretty good player but does he really make much of a difference or really improve the team?

I see no reason to not try and build the best team possible NOW, while you claim they cant fix the problems in one year...

Do you really think Brisker can't play FS as well as Byard? How much of an upgrade over Hicks or Owens is Byard for his $7M salary?

What do we have to go off of to say Brisker can play FS at all let alone play it better than Byard?

 

[Xplosive]

Nazir Stackhouse is a 6th rounder and Javon Hargrave is injured, not cut for cap relief.

Other than that it's Billings coming off a major injury and Dexter. That is beyond thin.

Scott was behind several other WRs, including Carter.

John Lynch Confirmed Hargraves Will Be Released

[COLOR=rgba(13, 13, 13, 0.9)]As part of their salary-cap restructuring, the 49ers re-worked Hargrave’s contract late in the season in order to pave the way for the team to release him in a cost-cutting move as a designated post-June 1 release.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(13, 13, 13, 0.9)]“It gives him an opportunity to go see what his market is,” Lynch said. “And it may include us.”[/COLOR]

You keep saying Hargraves wont be released when its been reported multiple times... Are you planning to die on that hill?

Players get injured and return, by your logic I suppose the Bears don't have a starting left tackle either since Braxton broke his ankle last year.

I kept Demarcus Walker as another option to move inside, plus Billings, plus Hargraves, plus Dexter, plus Stackhouse...

How is that thin with 5 possible options. FYI this is Dennis Allen's defense where the DE can also slide inside for sub package use. The DLine depth I list is very good imo.