Official NFL Draft Thread - Bear Fans ONLY - Ozzy - Best draft value for Bears

[DefNextYear]

Of course, its Kollman so hes going to talk in circles for as long as his editor can stand to try and avoid directly answering it. I liked the chart though and its probably as close as you're going to get to Kollman saying "none of the teams in the top 10 this year should be taking RB with their first pick":

View attachment 44655
Although you could probably put an asterisk on the Bears because of the incredible turnover at OL makes last years stats not super applicable.

Yup, I still enjoyed the video nonetheless.

Further on this, one thing is it’s probably very hard to find a terrible team (top 10 pick) that has a great OL. Even with the Saquon example, you had a team that was average and became above average with the elite RB, but the team still sucked. So, it would kind of show that even under that circumstance, the pick doesn’t make sense.

Then, for the Eagles… Saquon is great, but they didn’t draft him. So it’s another point not to bother drafting one… further, they could’ve taken Gibbs and chose to take Jalen Carter. I get he was a special player compared to Gibbs… but still goes to show they’ll do whatever they can to get other positions.

Ultimately, he doesn’t answer the question of though. He only speaks about how you build a team and help a back succeed, which I think even the most casual fans could explain. It’s fairly obvious.

The heart of the question is really about there being a RB valuable enough to take that high, regardless of the rest of it. It becomes a value/longevity of the position… cost of free agents… ability to find talent later in the draft… etc etc. None of that was talked about. I wish he did though. I’d be curious.

As for the Bears, you’re right… and I think we’d probably be a team he’d, and anyone else, would probably suggest would be one of the best fits for Jeanty, all things considered.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Of course, its Kollman so hes going to talk in circles for as long as his editor can stand to try and avoid directly answering it. I liked the chart though and its probably as close as you're going to get to Kollman saying "none of the teams in the top 10 this year should be taking RB with their first pick":

View attachment 44655
Although you could probably put an asterisk on the Bears because of the incredible turnover at OL makes last years stats not super applicable.

The answer is no.

 

[playthrough2001]

So what’s up with Deone Walker? He looked like he might not be in the best physical condition in 2024. The guy is a massive human and his 2023 production was pretty damn good. If a team can get this guy in top shape and develop his talent, you have a potential game wrecker. One thing I noticed, he definitely plays too upright. He has to get his pad level down.

I wonder where he gets drafted? Does he make it to 72?

Anybody have a solid opinion on this guy? @knoxville7, you’re an avid SEC fan. What do you think about Walker?

2025 NFL Draft prospect Deone Walker might be the next Dexter Lawrence — or something even scarier

This enormous Wildcat defensive tackle has the goods to be selected very high in 2025 NFL Draft

www.cbssports.com

After initially posting the above on Walker, I found this article. Interesting…

Deone Walker Played His Junior Season with a Fracture in his Back

It was not the season Deone Walker envisioned. The enormous defensive lineman from Detroit was a projected first round pick, fresh off an All-SEC season. Another explosive year at Kentucky would lead him on a path to professional success. The funny thing about plans, they often change. After...

www.on3.com

 

[dabears70]

So what’s up with Deone Walker? He looked like he might not be in the best physical condition in 2024. The guy is a massive human and his 2023 production was pretty damn good. If a team can get this guy in top shape and develop his talent, you have a potential game wrecker. One thing I noticed, he definitely plays too upright. He has to get his pad level down.

I wonder where he gets drafted? Does he make it to 72?

Anybody have a solid opinion on this guy? @knoxville7, you’re an avid SEC fan. What do you think about Walker?

2025 NFL Draft prospect Deone Walker might be the next Dexter Lawrence — or something even scarier

This enormous Wildcat defensive tackle has the goods to be selected very high in 2025 NFL Draft

www.cbssports.com

After initially posting the above on Walker, I found this article. Interesting…

Deone Walker Played His Junior Season with a Fracture in his Back

It was not the season Deone Walker envisioned. The enormous defensive lineman from Detroit was a projected first round pick, fresh off an All-SEC season. Another explosive year at Kentucky would lead him on a path to professional success. The funny thing about plans, they often change. After...

www.on3.com

Damn i forgot all about him and going into the draft process he was one of the guys i wanted the Bears to draft with one of the 2nd round picks. People just stopped talking about him for whatever reason. I know he didn't have the best showing in, i think it was the senior bowl, and his name started falling from that but he was at least still talked about.

I don't any great opinion on him but we damn sure do still need a big fatty to play with Billings and maybe even take over for him after next year. Could this guy actually fall to the 3rd round where we could possibly scoop him up?

 

[dabears70]

Chicago Bears need to finish the project they started, overhauling the trenches

Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson knew what they had to address this offseason. The Bears’ general manager and head coach identified the offensive and defensive lines

email.fansided.com

 

[--CyBear--]

I’m going with you’re not enamored by his athleticism. He doesn’t have that eye popping speed. I’ll give you that. I see him as a blue chipper since he’s a legit Y in line TE who can play as a Move TE. He and that TE out of Georgia Tech are the best blockers in the draft.

So, I can see and appreciate your argument that he’s not a blue chip talent on par with Jeanty or Carter. For a TE, though, he’s a top talent and not a bad pick at 10.

Not disagreeing but he's not considered a top 4 to 7 type prospect. Lots of picks show they were worth more or less once the play in the NFL.

 

[dabears70]

The Bears appearing at OSU Pro workout could offer clues into their draft plans

The Chicago Bears had a large presence at the Ohio State Pro Day last week, a sign of where they may be leaning for their draft plans.

email.fansided.com

 

[knoxville7]

So what’s up with Deone Walker? He looked like he might not be in the best physical condition in 2024. The guy is a massive human and his 2023 production was pretty damn good. If a team can get this guy in top shape and develop his talent, you have a potential game wrecker. One thing I noticed, he definitely plays too upright. He has to get his pad level down.

I wonder where he gets drafted? Does he make it to 72?

Anybody have a solid opinion on this guy? @knoxville7, you’re an avid SEC fan. What do you think about Walker?

2025 NFL Draft prospect Deone Walker might be the next Dexter Lawrence — or something even scarier

This enormous Wildcat defensive tackle has the goods to be selected very high in 2025 NFL Draft

www.cbssports.com

After initially posting the above on Walker, I found this article. Interesting…

Deone Walker Played His Junior Season with a Fracture in his Back

It was not the season Deone Walker envisioned. The enormous defensive lineman from Detroit was a projected first round pick, fresh off an All-SEC season. Another explosive year at Kentucky would lead him on a path to professional success. The funny thing about plans, they often change. After...

www.on3.com

people were super high on him heading into the season and a lot of folks wanted the bears to draft him. I was never that high on him to begin with. to me, he was a round 3-5 player.

he never seemed to really jump out at me while watching KY play. Tennessee's interior O line absolutely owned him the last couple of years with guys that are likely to be end of the draft picks or UDFA guys

 

[playthrough2001]

people were super high on him heading into the season and a lot of folks wanted the bears to draft him. I was never that high on him to begin with. to me, he was a round 3-5 player.

he never seemed to really jump out at me while watching KY play. Tennessee's interior O line absolutely owned him the last couple of years with guys that are likely to be end of the draft picks or UDFA guys

Do you think he would be worth 72? Is that too high?

 

[knoxville7]

Do you think he would be worth 72? Is that too high?

that would be the upper end of where id be okay taking him, especially if he was truly playing with a hurt back last year. course, if he was playing with a hurt back i would want to see the medicals and make sure this isnt some degenerative back situation to where we end up with the D line version of Tev Jenkins...so itd prolly be a pass for me

id also want to know who else is on the board still at 72. id much rather take a Omar Norman Lott at 72 tbh( i know that screams of homerism lol)

 

[playthrough2001]

that would be the upper end of where id be okay taking him, especially if he was truly playing with a hurt back last year. course, if he was playing with a hurt back i would want to see the medicals and make sure this isnt some degenerative back situation to where we end up with the D line version of Tev Jenkins...so itd prolly be a pass for me

id also want to know who else is on the board still at 72. id much rather take a Omar Norman Lott at 72 tbh( i know that screams of homerism lol)

Lott’s a good call. I think he’s an excellent value if he’s there at 72.

 

[pseudonym]

I could see Skatt at 72 if they go other directions—LT, G, DE, DT—with their first three picks. Swift would remain the primary back and Skatt would be used for short yardage. But we do have RJ, so...IDK? Versus Jeanty as the RB1 with Swift 3rd down/relief (or traded/released). Should be an interesting draft for sure.

 

[playthrough2001]

sorry if already posted..

Braxton Jones Shares Some Good News From the Injury Front​

Jones is walking and "out that boot." pic.twitter.com/1wwn41yEdM— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) March 25, 2025

Braxton Jones Shares a Positive Injury Update on Instagram Story

Chicago Bears left tackle Braxton Jones has good news to share via his Instagram.

www.bleachernation.com

It’s good news but I don’t want to count on him being healthy and Kiran hasn’t proven anything. They have to get another talented young guy in the pipe. It looks like they might be targeting Conerly Jr. at 39 or in a slight trade up.

 

[baselman1974]

Bears have to draft and Oline. Need depth and future starters. Take chance on Banks, Membou, or Conerly. Those who can compete for LT position. If not, bump them to guard.

 

[playthrough2001]

I could see Skatt at 72 if they go other directions—LT, G, DE, DT—with their first three picks. Swift would remain the primary back and Skatt would be used for short yardage. But we do have RJ, so...IDK? Versus Jeanty as the RB1 with Swift 3rd down/relief (or traded/released). Should be an interesting draft for sure.

His Vert and Broad were good at the combine. I’m surprised he didn't run a faster 40 at his pro day. Some guys are not comfortable in “Track” mode and don’t run near as well as their game speed. However, 72 is the earliest I would consider him. I think RJ Harvey who played in the same conference is a better back.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

Do you think he would be worth 72? Is that too high?

I think if the Bears haven't taken a dt by 72, the guys I'd prefer before walker include norman-lott, cj west, Jordan Phillips, Joshua farmer, and probably even aenas peebles despite being more of a small gap penetrator. It's also worth mentioning guys like Alfred Collins and tj sanders who are likely 2nd rounders but may fall to 3.

There's probably other guys later who are better players than walker too. Junior tafuna, jj pegues, zeek Biggers, cam Jackson.

 

[SugarWalls]

Deone walker has a spine fracture - pars defect resulting in spondylosis.

These fractures are chronic with pain that comes and goes. He can get to a point where the pain is 0 to minimal, but with the stress of playing football (especially at DL) he is probably going to have to play through pain his entire career.

He is not draftable in the top 4 rounds IMO.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

Deone walker has a spine fracture - pars defect resulting in spondylosis.

These fractures are chronic with pain that comes and goes. He can get to a point where the pain is 0 to minimal, but with the stress of playing football (especially at DL) he is probably going to have to play through pain his entire career.

He is not draftable in the top 4 rounds IMO.

Is that why he left the senior bowl early? I was so confused. A couple guys like Mike Green had amazing first day or 2 and then left whereas deone had an absolute shit showing and then left. I assumed he was just a lazy idiot.

 

[SugarWalls]

Is that why he left the senior bowl early? I was so confused. A couple guys like Mike Green had amazing first day or 2 and then left whereas deone had an absolute shit showing and then left. I assumed he was just a lazy idiot.

Idk but he did play with it last year and that is likely why his production dropped. It's likely just going to be with him throughout his career and will almost definitely get worse as he continues playing. He can opt for a surgery but as with almost all back surgeries nothing is guaranteed to stop the pain with high stress activities.

 

[bamainatlanta]

Deone walker has a spine fracture - pars defect resulting in spondylosis.

These fractures are chronic with pain that comes and goes. He can get to a point where the pain is 0 to minimal, but with the stress of playing football (especially at DL) he is probably going to have to play through pain his entire career.

He is not draftable in the top 4 rounds IMO.

Sounds like what happened with Dontari Poe(?). He was a stud early on but his back injuries destroyed him very quickly in the league.