Adam Jahns’ Big Board for the Bears (Excerpts from The Athletic posted this morning)
Day 1 | Pick 10
The wish list
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State | Ranking: 3
Will Campbell, OL, LSU | Ranking: 6
At this point, plenty has been written and said about Jeanty and Campbell. They are two of the “blue” players in this draft. The Bears would surely be happy to take one of them with the 10th selection should one fall to them.
Campbell’s less-than-ideal arm length might shift his grade for some teams, but it won’t change his standing as a top-10 pick in this year’s draft. He’s too good at doing everything else required to play left tackle, and too many teams before the Bears in the draft need help up front this year, starting with the New England Patriots at No. 4.
Jeanty is more than a running back. He’s an elite weapon — one the Bears should take at No. 10 if he’s available. But it doesn’t seem likely with the Las Vegas Raiders sitting at No. 6.
Eight more players to watch
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State | Ranking: 8
Brugler: “A high-efficiency pass catcher, Warren moves with light feet, fluid body movements and natural balance, all of which help him instantly transition from receiver to runner and become a threat with the ball in his hands.”
Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M | Ranking: 9
Brugler: “The No. 1 area in which he needs to improve is as a finisher. He has the athleticism to get to the ball but has no business missing as many tackles as he does, especially given his power and movements.”
Mike Green, DE, Marshall | Ranking: 10
Brugler: “As long as his character checks out, he is one of the top pass-rush prospects in the draft class with the disruptive ability to be an NFL starter.”
Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia | Ranking: 21
Brugler: “The individual traits (length, strength, explosiveness), promising toughness and football character are reasons to bet on his upside. Similar in ways to Jason Pierre-Paul, he projects as an NFL starter on the edge.”
Coltson Loveland, TE, Michigan | Ranking: 11
Brugler: “His tools and upside are reminiscent of Zach Ertz.”
Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon | Ranking: 16
Brugler: “A player who can win in different ways, Harmon forces blockers to attack air with his lateral explosiveness or uses strong, crafty hands to swat away the reach of blockers as he bursts through gaps to close on the ball carrier.”
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon | Ranking: 23
Brugler: “A quick, fluid mover, Conerly has the range to reach his landmarks laterally in pass protection and on the move, at the second level and in the run game.”
Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas | Ranking: 26
Brugler: “Despite not moving to the offensive line until high school, he looks like he has been playing there his entire life — it wasn’t a coincidence the Longhorns’ rise mirrored Banks’ tenure (Texas’ wins increased each of his three seasons in the program).”
Quick thoughts
• Don’t forget what happened two years ago with the Bears’ selection of right tackle Darnell Wright. He was considered a late first-round pick by most analysts. Brugler had him as his No. 24 player in the draft. But Wright plays tackle — an all-important premium position. It’s why Conerly and Banks are included in this list.
While Banks is considered a guard prospect by some, Conerly is locked in at tackle. He’s also a true left tackle, while Missouri’s Armand Membou — a likely top-10 pick — played only on the right side in college. Conerly also doesn’t have the health concerns that Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons has after he tore the patellar tendon in his knee.
In 2023, Wright’s performance against Will Anderson, the best pass rusher in that draft class, was viewed as a positive. Similar things can be written about Conerly this year after he shut down Penn State’s Abdul Carter.
• It’s a deep year for defensive linemen. That’s inside and outside. The Bears have needs up front on defense, but they must weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the draft, too. It’s also a deep class for tight ends. The depth on the offensive line just isn’t the same.
Is the best strategy passing on Warren, Stewart or Williams at No. 10 in favor of Conerly or Banks and then targeting a pass rusher or a tight end in the second round?
Day 2 | Picks 39, 41 and 72
20 players to watch
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU | Ranking: 33
Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State | Ranking: 42
JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State | Ranking: 43
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa | Ranking: 44
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State | Ranking: 46
Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas | Ranking: 47
Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon | Ranking: 52
Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia | Ranking: 53
Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame | Ranking: 54
Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona | Ranking: 55
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M | Ranking: 59
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State | Ranking: 60
Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss | Ranking: 65
Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State | Ranking: 76
Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas | Ranking: 88
Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State | Ranking: 92
Anthony Belton, OT, NC State | Ranking: 94
Bradyn Swinson, DE, LSU | Ranking: 100
Sai’vion Jones, DE, LSU
Cam Skattebo, RB Arizona State
Continues at link…
The Bears' biggest roster needs are at offensive tackle, defensive lineman and running back. We look at options for all three days.
www.nytimes.com