From Mark Silverman via the Daily Herald:
“I’ll praise the Bears if:
1. Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks is the choice at 10 and either starts at left tackle. Campbell started opening day as a true freshman for LSU, was All-SEC for three years and was named a consensus All-American last season.
Banks was a three-year starter for Texas, a unanimous All-American last season, and awarded the Outland Trophy as the best lineman in football. The Bears cannot hope Braxton Jones heals or Kiran Amagadjie develops, finish off this offseason offensive line rebuild with a franchise left tackle.
2. Mason Graham falls to 10 and the Bears sprint to the podium announcing that the Michigan defensive tackle is the pick. In a scenario that was deemed unlikely just a few weeks ago, Dennis Allen is handed a do-everything player. Graham would provide the Bears with a force on the defensive line still short of playmakers.
3. Armand Membou is too good of a right tackle to pass up and Darnell Wright flips to left tackle. Wright and Membou are much better than Jones/Amagadjie and Wright. While this isn’t my favorite offensive line scenario, Ryan Poles did open the door to the possibility when he met the media on Tuesday.
4. Trade down. More picks = more better. The middle of the first round is the perfect spot to select one of the talented edge rushers. You can also win me over by picking the best edge on the board at 10. It’s not my favorite scenario, but if you are certain that player will be a stud, I’ll never argue with more help for the defensive line.
5. Swap picks with the Bengals for Trey Hendrickson. Remember him? 35 total sacks in the past two years and someone who has played for Allen. The Bears can still draft a player with the Bengals pick at 17. Throw in pick 72 and you still get a premier pass rusher along with young building blocks at 17, 39 and 41.
I’ll shrug and talk myself into:
1. Drafting running back Ashton Jeanty, tight ends Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland at 10. I’d rather draft a running back and/or tight end later, especially since that’s the strength of the draft. But I’m also in full trust Ben Johnson mode. If he’s convinced he can create offensive magic with one, I’ll roll with it and probably end up buying their jersey for my kids.
2. Trade up for Abdul Carter. I am strongly against the Bears giving up more draft capital and they are not a player away from contending for a Super Bowl. That said, Carter is a near sure thing if he’s healthy and the Bears need blue chippers.
I’m going Jets fan mode if:
1. The Bears trade up for Jeanty or anyone else not named Carter. I can barely get behind drafting Jeanty without the trade up — I explained why in last week’s column.
The shorter version is running backs don’t impact winning like other building blocks do. It’s the running game, not necessarily the running back. Not sure if I’ll actually boo at the official draft party, but it would dampen the accomplishments of the offseason.”
For the past several months I’ve been asked by friends, acquaintances, and strangers what I want the Bears to do at No. 10 in the NFL draft. My response is always “get it right.” After hundreds ...
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