My hesitations with Donald at 14..

[hebs]

If Justin Gilbert is there @ 14.. you'd have to think Emery would have a hard time passing him up. As a rook, he could come in on nickel situations and they could slide TJ inside to cover the slot while Gilbert played outside with Tillman. Hopefully after a year in the league, he'll be able to take over for Tillman when we don't resign him next year. Then, in a few years when Jennings' contract is gone, it would be time to sign Gilbert to a bigger deal.

One would think that DT would be a guaranteed pick in the second round.

Who's the bigger question mark at 14?

Gilbert
or
Donald

?

 

[Raskolnikov]

Yes.....we rarely look at Gilbert because we don't expect him. But a pure bpa draft board would look like this for us focusing on defense.

1) Clownery
2) Mack
3) Gilbert
4) Donald
5) Trade down
6) Haha or Pryor

at least that is mine, in terms of desire.

 

[fatbeard]

If Justin Gilbert is there @ 14.. you'd have to think Emery would have a hard time passing him up. As a rook, he could come in on nickel situations and they could slide TJ inside to cover the slot while Gilbert played outside with Tillman. Hopefully after a year in the league, he'll be able to take over for Tillman when we don't resign him next year. Then, in a few years when Jennings' contract is gone, it would be time to sign Gilbert to a bigger deal.

One would think that DT would be a guaranteed pick in the second round.

Who's the bigger question mark at 14?

Gilbert
or
Donald

?

Gilbert is not a top five-type CB, so I would have a hard time justifying drafting him while the single-most critical position on the defense is still unfilled. In terms of overall importance in the defensive scheme, the 3 tech is a clear priority ahead of CB and certainly S, and for that reason I would not take Gilbert ahead of Donald if both were sitting there for the taking.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Gilbert is not a top five-type CB, so I would have a hard time justifying drafting him while the single-most critical position on the defense is still unfilled. In terms of overall importance in the defensive scheme, the 3 tech is a clear priority ahead of CB and certainly S, and for that reason I would not take Gilbert ahead of Donald if both were sitting there for the taking.

what scheme are we running?

 

[Raskolnikov]

If Justin Gilbert is there @ 14.. you'd have to think Emery would have a hard time passing him up. As a rook, he could come in on nickel situations and they could slide TJ inside to cover the slot while Gilbert played outside with Tillman. Hopefully after a year in the league, he'll be able to take over for Tillman when we don't resign him next year. Then, in a few years when Jennings' contract is gone, it would be time to sign Gilbert to a bigger deal.

One would think that DT would be a guaranteed pick in the second round.

Who's the bigger question mark at 14?

Gilbert
or
Donald

?

Or sign Tillman for FS if we haven't solved that yet. I believe he has the skill set to be one of the all time greats at the position.

 

[WindyCity]

Yes.....we rarely look at Gilbert because we don't expect him. But a pure bpa draft board would look like this for us focusing on defense.

1) Clownery
2) Mack
3) Gilbert
4) Donald
5) Trade down
6) Haha or Pryor

at least that is mine, in terms of desire.

I like this ranking.

But would people prefer,

DT Aaron Donald

or

Trade Down and

DT Stephon Tuitt
S Jimmie Ward

Is Aaron Donald valuable enough not to move down if it is available.

 

[Bearfanfromnewjersey]

At 6'0 and 285 pounds, that is pretty small for a DT. He is giving up alot of height and weight to the centers and guards in the NFL. That kind of leads into my second concern, injury. And this is a concern for taking any DT in the early rounds, especially those that are undersized, they are going to get beat up. Think of the Bears history at defensive tackle and the devastation caused by injury (Tommie Harris, Melton).

Lack of versatility. Everyone that is screaming 3-4, or hybrid, understand that Donald is likely a 3-tech in a 4-3 only. He doesn't have the size to slide over to NT, or to play NT or DE in a 3-4. We all know how Emery covets flexibility, we will see how that philosophy works out with Shea shifting to OLB this season. With Tucker on the hot seat, and the possibility of swiching the entire scheme in 2015 if Tucker fails, are the Bears going to lock themselves into a non-versatile player with their first pick?

I am also not sure that Emery is sold on him either. The Bears have made alot of signings on the D-line to create depth and to give them draft flexibility.

That being said, Donald has a ton of positives, and if he was 6-4 he would be gone in the top 10. He has the production at the college level plus the combine numbers to suggest he can be very effective in the NFL. So this isn't a post saying don't draft him, it is about concerns drafting him.

Would the bears be better suited if a great coverage athlete falls to them at 14? Someone who can play safety or corner? In today's NFL, a big corner who can play man coverage is needed in any scheme. With all the holes on defense, the Bears could also slide down in the 1st and get another 2nd round pick in the process.

If Donald is a "can't pass" type of talent, take him. But with all the holes on the Bears D, the need for help in the defensive backfield and the uncertainty of the future of the Bears D, I could certainly see the Bears opting to go a different direction.

He is 6ft 1!

 

[fatbeard]

what scheme are we running?

Good question. From what they've said so far, they're running an aggressive single gap 4-3 "with flexibility." There's a lot there that's open to interpretation, but it will still be some variant of the 4-3 Under front, and even if it involves more blitzing than a traditional Tampa 2 a good 3 tech is a must.

 

[WindyCity]

Good question. From what they've said so far, they're running an aggressive single gap 4-3 "with flexibility." There's a lot there that's open to interpretation, but it will still be some variant of the 4-3 Under front, and even if it involves more blitzing than a traditional Tampa 2 a good 3 tech is a must.

What makes you think they are going with a single gap penetrating defense?

I am just asking.

The only thing I have taken away from Emery's comments is that we are probably done with smaller DLmen.

 

[Raskolnikov]

I like this ranking.

But would people prefer,

DT Aaron Donald

or

Trade Down and

DT Stephon Tuitt
S Jimmie Ward

Is Aaron Donald valuable enough not to move down if it is available.

I like Tuitt, and would snap up or even trade up for Hageman in early second if he made it. Similar bodies with those two?

I loved Ted Washington, Donald is not really what I usually like so there is bias there, but I recognize his skill, agility, and special traits.

 

[fatbeard]

What makes you think they are going with a single gap penetrating defense?

Numerous articles published over the past several months (Trib & CSN Chicago have run a bunch) as well as the type of players Emery has gone about acquiring or resigning.

The only thing I have taken away from Emery's comments is that we are probably done with smaller DLmen.

And yet he gave 35mil to a LE who doesn't have traditional LE length, and then gave 9mil to a DE who weighs in at 260-265lbs.

 

[botfly10]

he is wearing compression gear in both picks. Dude is total endo, and like I said earlier, it isn't unhealthy its his body type. He is very lean for his body type. Great legs, put together well, impressive strength though at his build you have to question the true power in his bench press vs the ease of the exercise for his physiology.

I like him, he just scares the shit out of me because we can't miss.

Are you saying you have seen him naked?

Or put on his "compression gear"?

I mean, the one pick he's just wearing a t-shirt. And the other is a gameday jersey. And other prospects don't seem to mind their guts hanging out below their jersey. Either way, if he was a fat ass, it would show.

It kind of seems like you are making shit up. Why do you think he is a tubby fat ass?

 

[botfly10]

just playing devils advocate, Donald has gotten a little to popular for what he is on this board. I think he is a good player, but his limitations will keep him from being great.

But the potential for greatness is there. High floor, high upside, which is why there isn't much not to like.

What? Saying he is fat is not playing devil's advocate. Its making shit up.

 

[botfly10]

his muscle development does indicate massive growth potential. Maybe he can get to 310 and be a body builder type super warrior. Endo's make good body builders.

lol, what? Where are you getting this shit?

 

[botfly10]

Sorry, nvm. Didn't finish reading the thread.

 

[Calabis]

At 6'0 and 285 pounds, that is pretty small for a DT. He is giving up alot of height and weight to the centers and guards in the NFL. That kind of leads into my second concern, injury. And this is a concern for taking any DT in the early rounds, especially those that are undersized, they are going to get beat up. Think of the Bears history at defensive tackle and the devastation caused by injury (Tommie Harris, Melton).

Lack of versatility. Everyone that is screaming 3-4, or hybrid, understand that Donald is likely a 3-tech in a 4-3 only. He doesn't have the size to slide over to NT, or to play NT or DE in a 3-4. We all know how Emery covets flexibility, we will see how that philosophy works out with Shea shifting to OLB this season. With Tucker on the hot seat, and the possibility of swiching the entire scheme in 2015 if Tucker fails, are the Bears going to lock themselves into a non-versatile player with their first pick?

I am also not sure that Emery is sold on him either. The Bears have made alot of signings on the D-line to create depth and to give them draft flexibility.

That being said, Donald has a ton of positives, and if he was 6-4 he would be gone in the top 10. He has the production at the college level plus the combine numbers to suggest he can be very effective in the NFL. So this isn't a post saying don't draft him, it is about concerns drafting him.

Would the bears be better suited if a great coverage athlete falls to them at 14? Someone who can play safety or corner? In today's NFL, a big corner who can play man coverage is needed in any scheme. With all the holes on defense, the Bears could also slide down in the 1st and get another 2nd round pick in the process.

If Donald is a "can't pass" type of talent, take him. But with all the holes on the Bears D, the need for help in the defensive backfield and the uncertainty of the future of the Bears D, I could certainly see the Bears opting to go a different direction.

John Randle was 6'1 287...he excelled because of burst, motor, strength and smarts....Donald possesses these traits, doesn't mean he will be Randle, but his size is the least of my concern.

As far as this 3-4 hybrid....who do we have besides Houston that can play both positions? Ratliff can play NT, Houston DE....after that who on the roster will play the other DE?

Also people like him because they believe he is perfect for what we have been running the last several years. This hybrid stuff is speculation and its not like we are going to be running a 3-4 style defense 50% of the time...couple of splashes here and there just like last season when they had Shea standing up. IF we take Donald, i'm happy with it, if we take someone else I'm fine with it, unless its the Shea Mac pick like last time.

 

[Raskolnikov]

John Randle was 6'1 287...he excelled because of burst, motor, strength and smarts....Donald possesses these traits, doesn't mean he will be Randle, but his size is the least of my concern.

As far as this 3-4 hybrid....who do we have besides Houston that can play both positions? Ratliff can play NT, Houston DE....after that who on the roster will play the other DE?

Also people like him because they believe he is perfect for what we have been running the last several years. This hybrid stuff is speculation and its not like we are going to be running a 3-4 style defense 50% of the time...couple of splashes here and there just like last season when they had Shea standing up. IF we take Donald, i'm happy with it, if we take someone else I'm fine with it, unless its the Shea Mac pick like last time.

but would Randle be Randle 20 years later?

 

[DrGonzo]

Well if he is there and Emery doesn't take him it means either they are changing scheme or safety has become such a monumental need that they can't pass up Clinton-Dix. I really hope they don't take Pryor - at least not at 14.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Well if he is there and Emery doesn't take him it means either they are changing scheme or safety has become such a monumental need that they can't pass up Clinton-Dix. I really hope they don't take Pryor - at least not at 14.

Value of safety is up after big contracts and teams that hadn't figured that out a couple years ago will be drafting safety early.

Dix may not make 14

 

[Bearmacist]

have you not seen him with pads off?

Total chode. Pure endomorph.


he is very tubby for 285, not in an unhealthy way, just like I said he is pure endo. He doesn't have the arm length or height for DE. Izzy is 7 inches taller, but Donald isn't built like Freeney he is built like Warren Sapp only less meso-muscle.

Endo's are freaky strong, don't mess with the fat kid.

This is beyond inaccurate.