Official NFL Draft Thread - Bear Fans ONLY - NFL Scouts had Banks as a top ten prospect at OT

[Szlachcic]

My biggest gripe is his missed tackles. I get that bitching about missed tackles is as common as old people bitching about the weather but it's bad with Turner, he does miss on too many tackles.

That's what good coaching is for.. I'm sure Bears DL coach is well aware of it..

 

[dennehy]

Yea, he's owed 16, so I figured they could guarantee it all and push ~11 million down.

Yes, he's probably at the place in his career where he will get a slight raise, like $51/3 years/34gtd, and his cap hit will be like 11-18-22 with the last year not guaranteed but $5m in prorated bonus on the cap.

 

[dabears70]

Well offloading Moore doesn't make much financial sense next off-season either. It'd be far more practical and cost effective to cut Kmet and Edmunds at that time if you're hard up for cash. Moore is a really productive WR in a league where you field at least three WRs for most of the game.

And even then, it doesn't make a lot of money sense to offload Moore's contract until at least 2027, when the team has in excess of $160M in uncommitted dollars.

I want to be a neutral observer here, but it looks to me that you are throwing out a guess at what might work instead of considering the more practical options at freeing up cap space.

I will admit that i didn't really look into what the cost or how much money it would save us to cut or trade him this offseason or any offseason he's under contract with us so that would be something that i'd have to know the exact amount we'd save to cut or trade him in whatever offseason, because one of my biggest reasons to move him is to get some cap space to fix multiple other positions that need fixing like next offseason when guys like Byard, Brisker, Billings, Edmunds, Swift and others will be or could be gone.

 

[dabears70]

I still expect them to bring in a RB and for the coaching staff to find the best combination of runners.

There is not enough competition. My guess is that they are about to move around some salary and bring in someone via trade or FA shortly.

Signing Thuney seems like the easiest way to create some cap space.

 

[dabears70]

Since this is a NFL Draft thread, I liked this post on X. By the way, I think Hampton will be a monster playing for Harbaugh.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1918094881396015224

Yeah Hampton and even Nahjee in that Greg Roman/Jim Harbaugh offense that's all about running the ball should do very well.

 

[gallagher]

I will admit that i didn't really look into what the cost or how much money it would save us to cut or trade him this offseason or any offseason he's under contract with us so that would be something that i'd have to know the exact amount we'd save to cut or trade him in whatever offseason, because one of my biggest reasons to move him is to get some cap space to fix multiple other positions that need fixing like next offseason when guys like Byard, Brisker, Billings, Edmunds, Swift and others will be or could be gone.

I use Sportrac for that. My job is essentially negotiating contracts, and I find it to be the right tool for the job when it comes to putting all the necessary information at your fingertips.

I share your concern on the safety group, and would have liked a draft pick invested in safety this recently-past draft just to keep the talent pipeline fresh. The rest of your listed names I don't think will require a large expense to replace. Grady Jarrett is leading the group of DTs with two highly drafted players in the rotation, so I think Billings is going to see a smaller share of snaps than before; I don't like spending as much on LB as Edmunds makes; and I think others think better of Swift than I do.

 

[DanielCCSBears]

Turner is my favorite pick if they intend to get his weight up to around 295 and kick him inside.

Is 290 too light in the ass for you? Because he weighed in at 290 at the combine.

 

[playthrough2001]

Jeremy Fowler on the Bears and Loveland. We heard some of this before but Fowler adds some detail.

“Chicago quieted trade calls with the Colston Loveland pick at No. 10. I've heard from multiple teams who said the lack of a trade from Nos. 3 to 25 was due in part to Loveland going off the board. Had he made it into the teens, someone would have made a move.

While Penn State's Tyler Warren was the bigger name, Loveland's traits and upside drove week-of-draft buzz that he was the top tight end in this class.

Some inside the league believe the Bears tried to make an early Day 2 move, possibly to move up four spots to Tennessee's selection at No. 35. Knowing Chicago's legwork on running backs, Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson would have made a lot of sense in that regard. While Chicago has been linked to free agent running backs, typically teams like to first see what their rookies can do in May and June, with live on-field reps -- a great chance for seventh-round back Kyle Monangai, who has an intriguing skill set.

There are blurbs for every team at the link.

NFL draft nuggets for every team's rookie class: Exec reaction, draft room maneuvers, remaining needs

With the draft dust having settled, we canvassed the league on the biggest decisions and most surprising picks.

www.espn.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1910149480650859007

 

[Sculpt]

The only way I see the Bears adding a non-UDFA or camp cut RB is if they trade Swift.

They have 6 RBs on the roster: Swift, Monangai, Jonhson, Wheeler, Hankins and Homer. Saying Wheeler and Roschon are toast is the least likely scenario. Coming back from an ACL is not strange anymore, especially after A. Peterson came back from his ACL the next year to win the MVP.

 

[playthrough2001]

I argued with a few on here about Banks Jr. being an OT in the NFL. I never thought for a minute he would kick inside.

Here’s some interesting commentary on him.

“New Orleans went offensive line in the first round for the second consecutive year, but this particular move made sense around the league because Kelvin Banks Jr., in the eyes of scouts, was a clear-cut top-10 pick, despite many mock drafts having him in the teens throughout the process. "He's awesome. He's [five-time Pro Bowl tackle] Laremy Tunsil," an NFC executive said.”

NFL draft nuggets for every team's rookie class: Exec reaction, draft room maneuvers, remaining needs

With the draft dust having settled, we canvassed the league on the biggest decisions and most surprising picks.

www.espn.com

I’m happy with Loveland and believe Johnson will turn him into a matchup nightmare, but Banks Jr. was my guy 100 percent.

 

[playthrough2001]

“Chicago Bears landed top tight end in 2025 NFL Draft

“The narrative around Loveland passing Warren as the top tight end in the draft was beginning to build momentum in the days leading up to the first round, but there was so much hype around the former Penn State star that it still felt like a head-scratcher when the Bears called Loveland's name.

Now that the dust has settled on the selection, it makes way more sense.”

Loveland's traits as a pass-catching mismatch are an obvious fit for coach Ben Johnson and what he wants to do on offense. Johnson has repeatedly said that he wants to make the same plays look different and different plays look the same; Loveland, who's also a capable blocker in the run game, accomplishes that goal in spades.

ESPN insider says Bears' selection of Colston Loveland quieted NFL Draft trade calls

The Chicago Bears surprised the fanbase with the selection of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland in the first round, but they weren't alone in their high grade

www.si.com

 

[Sculpt]

I will admit that i didn't really look into what the cost or how much money it would save us to cut or trade him this offseason or any offseason he's under contract with us so that would be something that i'd have to know the exact amount we'd save to cut or trade him in whatever offseason, because one of my biggest reasons to move him is to get some cap space to fix multiple other positions that need fixing like next offseason when guys like Byard, Brisker, Billings, Edmunds, Swift and others will be or could be gone.

Bears are fine this year. They can even add an Edge FA, helped with a Thuney Ext.

Maybe Bears can make these replacements: Edmunds with Hyppolite, Trapilo with Jones, Owens or Frazier replace Byard. (I'm hoping Brisker can stay healthy). I'm curious to see what Monangai and Wheeler might be to replace Swift.

And that's not even counting the 2026 draft prospects. I'm not seeing a need to cut Moore/Kmet.

 

[knoxville7]

I argued with a few on here about Banks Jr. being an OT in the NFL. I never thought for a minute he would kick inside.

Here’s some interesting commentary on him.

“New Orleans went offensive line in the first round for the second consecutive year, but this particular move made sense around the league because Kelvin Banks Jr., in the eyes of scouts, was a clear-cut top-10 pick, despite many mock drafts having him in the teens throughout the process. "He's awesome. He's [five-time Pro Bowl tackle] Laremy Tunsil," an NFC executive said.”

NFL draft nuggets for every team's rookie class: Exec reaction, draft room maneuvers, remaining needs

With the draft dust having settled, we canvassed the league on the biggest decisions and most surprising picks.

www.espn.com

I’m happy with Loveland and believe Johnson will turn him into a matchup nightmare, but Banks Jr. was my guy 100 percent.

you and me both, my friend. Banks woulda been a great LT for a decade plus

 

[Washington]

I argued with a few on here about Banks Jr. being an OT in the NFL. I never thought for a minute he would kick inside.

Here’s some interesting commentary on him.

“New Orleans went offensive line in the first round for the second consecutive year, but this particular move made sense around the league because Kelvin Banks Jr., in the eyes of scouts, was a clear-cut top-10 pick, despite many mock drafts having him in the teens throughout the process. "He's awesome. He's [five-time Pro Bowl tackle] Laremy Tunsil," an NFC executive said.”

NFL draft nuggets for every team's rookie class: Exec reaction, draft room maneuvers, remaining needs

With the draft dust having settled, we canvassed the league on the biggest decisions and most surprising picks.

www.espn.com

I’m happy with Loveland and believe Johnson will turn him into a matchup nightmare, but Banks Jr. was my guy 100 percent.

I was in the Banks camp since the beginning too. I was pissed when he was picked at 9 and then almost puked when Loveland was announced at our pick. I am slowly warming up to Loveland but really wanted Banks. In the 2nd, rinse and repeat with Henderson followed by WR3.

 

[pseudonym]

How much do I dig Loveland? For those playing fantasy, I took him at 1.07 in my Superflex Tight End Premium league, over Warren. I'm glad I have at least one share. This is going to be fun.

 

[DefNextYear]

Not really the most exciting watch... but if you're interested in some of the behind the scenes.

 

[bears51/40]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1919868576808292454

I like it.

 

[Les Grossman]

I argued with a few on here about Banks Jr. being an OT in the NFL. I never thought for a minute he would kick inside.

Here’s some interesting commentary on him.

“New Orleans went offensive line in the first round for the second consecutive year, but this particular move made sense around the league because Kelvin Banks Jr., in the eyes of scouts, was a clear-cut top-10 pick, despite many mock drafts having him in the teens throughout the process. "He's awesome. He's [five-time Pro Bowl tackle] Laremy Tunsil," an NFC executive said.”

NFL draft nuggets for every team's rookie class: Exec reaction, draft room maneuvers, remaining needs

With the draft dust having settled, we canvassed the league on the biggest decisions and most surprising picks.

www.espn.com

I’m happy with Loveland and believe Johnson will turn him into a matchup nightmare, but Banks Jr. was my guy 100 percent.

IDK about being Tunsil... sounds like exaggeration.

 

[Enasic]

IDK about being Tunsil... sounds like exaggeration.

I think Tunsil was the better prospect coming out but I don’t think it’s that far off. If I were to compare him to another OT, it’d be Tristan wirfs who also fell further than he should in the draft to 13. Kelvin should have been the first OT off the board and will be the best LT in this draft….narrowly edging out ozzy trapilo

 

[DefNextYear]

I think Tunsil was the better prospect coming out but I don’t think it’s that far off. If I were to compare him to another OT, it’d be Tristan wirfs who also fell further than he should in the draft to 13. Kelvin should have been the first OT off the board and will be the best LT in this draft….narrowly edging out ozzy trapilo

Not Wirfs. Wirfs is a freak of nature. His athleticism was basically off the charts. Even his ability was never really questioned. He also hit the desired 34” arms. I feel like he took a hit cause he was a RT and there were highly touted LTs in the same draft.