Official NFL Draft Thread - Bear Fans Only - Loveland - Number 2 Scheme Fit

[Washington]

I’m curious, what did you think of his only first round picks? That group is Wright, Caleb, and Odunze.

His first draft he grabbed Gordon and Brisker in the 2nd. How do you feel about them?

I'm OK with them. He still hasn't drafted an all-pro but that could still happen. CW is still the caveat that makes or breaks Poles' legacy as a GM. Poles just scares the crap out of me overall.

 

[playthrough2001]

I’m only talking about Swift, but by our pick in round 5 who’s what I see gone….

Jeanty, Henderson, Hampton, Judkins, Johnson, Sampson, Giddens, Skat, James, Harvey and Neal.

That would leave ETN, Marks, Allen, etc… I believe none of them address the passing game like BJ will want.

Again, only my opinion. I just believe older RB’s aren’t coveted as much for the price, and we’ll see a good run before round 5, but again, I’m an idiot and thought Kevin White would be awesome

I think Blue and Smith will probably be there in the 5th and they met with both of them. I’m not sure how they move the needle for you but they’re both really fast.

 

[HearshotKDS]

K so if you think they are both average LT’s, then it can still make a ton of sense to take Banks

After this season the bears have to either overpay Jones to stay and be average, or they could let him walk and take the comp pick(we all know the boners bears fans have for them) and have Banks on a rookie deal for a few years be an average LT

The rookie deal for the same production is a huge gain for a team

This to me is a huge component to OT at 10 even if its not a Joe Alt level prospect. You hope the OT at 10 ends up better than Jones but even if they are a push there is value there for the Bears:

* Braxton has now missed 11 games in the last 2 seasons after playing dinged up through every game is rookie year - given his highly athletic but light for the position frame durability/ wear and tear has to be a huge concern for him that it wouldnt be (yet) on a rookie.

* Unless he takes a remarkable step up in play and availability, Braxton has played himself into that wonderful goldilocks zone of high priority positions where he will get paid a huge contract ($20-25M) while never playing at a level that "earns" it. Once again, while you hope the rookie eventually ends up better than Jones, even if they just become a same level player you are getting a same level player plus $15-20M of cap space for 4 years - for a named example thats the difference between someone like Daniel Hardy on our roster and Josh Sweat.

I still believe DL is the best bang for buck at 10, but I think a lot of people get waaaay too focused on "is the rookie going to be better than Braxton Jones in '25?" in the OT at 10 conversation when there is a lot more to the equation than that.

 

[playthrough2001]

This to me is a huge component to OT at 10 even if its not a Joe Alt level prospect. You hope the OT at 10 ends up better than Jones but even if they are a push there is value there for the Bears:

* Braxton has now missed 11 games in the last 2 seasons after playing dinged up through every game is rookie year - given his highly athletic but light for the position frame durability/ wear and tear has to be a huge concern for him that it wouldnt be (yet) on a rookie.

* Unless he takes a remarkable step up in play and availability, Braxton has played himself into that wonderful goldilocks zone of high priority positions where he will get paid a huge contract ($20-25M) while never playing at a level that "earns" it. Once again, while you hope the rookie eventually ends up better than Jones, even if they just become a same level player you are getting a same level player plus $15-20M of cap space for 4 years - for a named example thats the difference between someone like Daniel Hardy on our roster and Josh Sweat.

I still believe DL is the best bang for buck at 10, but I think a lot of people get waaaay too focused on "is the rookie going to be better than Braxton Jones in '25?" in the OT at 10 conversation when there is a lot more to the equation than that.

After bringing in Dalman, Jackson, and Thuney it would be brutal to leave a potential hole at LT.

It makes so much sense from a football and a cap management standpoint to draft a LT.

 

[maxhatter]

I don’t think it’s worth burning that extra pick but I could see them possibly doing it if Hampton snuck past the Broncos.

Although, I can’t see how Hampton could get past Harbaugh. They need a RB in the worst way.

Najee Harris?

 

[Enasic]

I'm OK with them. He still hasn't drafted an all-pro but that could still happen. CW is still the caveat that makes or breaks Poles' legacy as a GM. Poles just scares the crap out of me overall.

How common do you think it is for players to make all pro within their first 2-3 seasons? Does it happen from time to time? Sure….but most of the time these guys have to develop. Look at JJ, he didn’t bust out until what…year 4 or 5?

I think a lot of fans are generally too impatient and ignore the player development aspect and it’s importance.

 

[bamainatlanta]

Najee Harris?

He sucks and is only on a 1yr deal

 

[Luke]

I’m curious, what did you think of his only first round picks? That group is Wright, Caleb, and Odunze.

His first draft he grabbed Gordon and Brisker in the 2nd. How do you feel about them?

so many of us have had PTSD over horrendous drafts since the post Finks days - Tobin, Wanny, Hatley, Pace....
But as you said, Poles picks in the 1st and 2nd rounds have generally been good and that was with Flus.
I would imagine most everyone will be happy with at least one of the first three picks, probably two.
Me, I'm hoping for 3!

 

[DefNextYear]

More on Daniel Jeremiah’s conference call yesterday that is Bears specific…

4) Bears in enviable spot. Jeremiah mentioned the Bears as a team to watch in next week's draft, loaded with four relatively early picks to buttress what has been another big offseason full of additions.

"They are in a fantastic position when you're picking 10, 39, 41 and 72," he said. "They get four instant-impact players with the way this draft shakes out."

But figuring out which order to address their positions of need in will be key. If the Bears are locked in on upgrading at offensive tackle, Jeremiah suggested they act quickly.

"If you are dead set on getting an offensive tackle and you want to get your long-term left tackle, you're going to want to do that with your first pick," Jeremiah said. "I just don't love the possibilities of you seeing someone that's going to be an upgrade over what you have once you get into the second round of this particular draft."

But even if a top offensive tackle doesn't fall to them at 10, Jeremiah said that having the three picks that follow allows them to let the board come to them. That could mean taking "one of the top two tight ends" or Jeanty at 10, if they're available.

"If they want to reinforce the defensive line, get an edge rusher, to me a sweet spot for them would be pick 39 for an edge rusher," Jeremiah said. "That's a great area to find that guy.

"... They're in a great spot where they don't have to be aggressive with the first pick. Somebody's going to go to them there that they're going to love and is going to start from Day 1 and (make) an impact. I'm almost more excited to see what happens with their next picks, because that's going to be a fun combination of players they put together."

Big picture, Jeremiah doesn't believe the Bears' defense is fully complete. But with Ben Johnson joining forces with Caleb Williams, it would certainly make sense if they lean heavily in the offensive direction this draft.

"We can look at the defensive side of the ball and you can find holes, but at the end of next year, if Caleb Williams has taken a massive leap with Ben Johnson, I think Bears fans will be feeling pretty darn good about the direction," he said. "So that's why, if it's close, I look to that side of the ball."

Five biggest NFL draft takeaways from Daniel Jeremiah’s conference call previewing 2025 event

Maybe even more relevant, he said Banks could be in play for the Raiders. Mentioned a link to Carroll through Steve Sarkisian. I think people totally missed it… and it’s a move that would shake up the draft early.

 

[msadows]

He sucks and is only on a 1yr deal

I wouldnt say he sucks, but yea he hasnt shown he's special

That steelers OL isnt very good either so hard to judge him. It wouldnt shock me if he's a much better player this year for them.

But even if hampton doesnt go to the chargers there are plenty of teams in that range who want a RB. Why henderson likely wont even be there at #39.

 

[dabears70]

Yes, next Friday (rounds 2 and 3) will be a pivotal moment for Poles and Johnson. There will be so many possibilities. My ideal scenario would be an OT, Edge, DT, and RB with the first 4 picks. Previously, I’d hoped to get the RB in the 5th but I’ve softened on that. If Mukuba is available at 72, I think they’ll take him. Safety is a need too.

DE and DT in the first 4 picks? I love it because that would absolutely sure up this Pass Rush which i still have as my number one need, but i think we're good at 3T with Jarrett and Dexter, but another big fatty to compete with Billings would be nice.

 

[dabears70]

I think my favorite draft scenario (that is very unlikely and I know a lot of people hate it) is jeanty, ersery, jtt, cj west. I think jeanty is gone at 6 and ersery likely ends up with kc, but if he makes it past them I could see him getting to the bears.

I also really love Kyle Williams as a weapon in johnsons offense and think he gives a much needed speed element. I personally just can't take him over DL/OL/RB. Unless they can move up from their 5th rounder to grab someone like saivion Jones who has a similar skill set to jtt.

Darius Alexander is also a draft crush, just think cj west in 3 makes more sense in opening up those first 3 picks.

There's already rumors that the Chiefs are trying to trade up above the Texans in the 1st round. Gotta think that's for OL and most likely Conerly or Ersery.

 

[DefNextYear]

I also think if they do like Braxton and Kiran, that a real possibility is them taking Donovan Jackson/jonah savaiinaea as a safety net for the whole line. Guys who could play T if needed but who would be high end depth along the interior.

I’d love both of those guys, especially if we don’t find a long term LT here. They can be a bandaid in a crunch. Obviously, they’ll probably not be good at LT, but it’s only theoretically a few games. The Bears are where they are at this point and it’s the only real depth possible.

 

[DefNextYear]

I had to laugh at 72 being an instant impact player, especially considering the last 3 drafts.

"Dead set on getting an OT at 10" sounds like **** our board, just take the highest rated OT left regardless of grade.

I do think that 39/41 is a great spot to add a developing edge rusher.

"being in a sweet spot where they don't have to be aggressive with the first pick" says let the draft come to you and is opposite of the "dead set on taking an OT at 10". This is how good teams operate, of course they never pick in the top 10 either.

If you take a RB in the 3rd, no doubt he’d be instant impact and may be RB1 by end of year, if not right away.

 

[DefNextYear]

Day 2 is gonna be fun

I’m ready for everyone to be pissed.

 

[msadows]

I’d love both of those guys, especially if we don’t find a long term LT here. They can be a bandaid in a crunch. Obviously, they’ll probably not be good at LT, but it’s only theoretically a few games. The Bears are where they are at this point and it’s the only real depth possible.

If they dont take an OT at #10 and take someone like jackson, I'd anticipate the "break glass if needed" plan at LT is Joe Thuney while putting the rookie at LG.

 

[dabears70]

I also think if they do like Braxton and Kiran, that a real possibility is them taking Donovan Jackson/jonah savaiinaea as a safety net for the whole line. Guys who could play T if needed but who would be high end depth along the interior.

I love that idea and D.Jackson and J.Savaiinea are two of my favorite OL after we get into the 2nd half of the 1st and into the early 2nd round but we'd be real lucky if D.Jackson fell to #39.

 

[dabears70]

That's absolutely not true is your description is about the guy 'bowling' people. It's not the only thing but weight is big factor, especially when transitioning into league with bigger, stronger linemen,

I'm saying being around that 210 mark is enough to have success as a guy who runs hard. I.Pacheco is like 215 and he runs hard.

 

[bamainatlanta]

I wouldnt say he sucks, but yea he hasnt shown he's special

That steelers OL isnt very good either so hard to judge him. It wouldnt shock me if he's a much better player this year for them.

But even if hampton doesnt go to the chargers there are plenty of teams in that range who want a RB. Why henderson likely wont even be there at #39.

His backup was more explosive. Thank God Poles didn’t sign him.

 

[dabears70]

A guy with no shins, a guy with no branes, a guy with no knees…..they drafting Simmons

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