Official NFL Draft Thread - Bear Fans Only

[bearsfan1977]

He’s not an off the ball linebacker. He’s a very versatile edge OLB who could fit in Allen’s scheme as Allen mixes up his personnel groupings.

I’d rather they take Grant.

Walker is a crazy athlete, he really is. Very versatile and can blitz, line up on the edge or drop in coverage. This is just my opinion, but when watching him play, I don’t think he’s elite in any of the things I just listed. Now, I think a lot of it may be due to being raw and needing more snaps and coaching to improve his technique and feel for the game. But if he hits, his ceiling is sky high. If not, well, hopefully he will be a pretty solid player and not the end of the world.

Did you see how Grant tested at his pro day? He will be a force on the DL for a decade and is definitely worth a top-10 pick, imo.

I am in the minority that think Graham benefited more from being next to Grant than Grant benefited from being next to Graham.

 

[dabears70]

But they don't, and that's not his defense. He tends to blitz safeties and cornerbacks. He primarily plays with only two linebackers. For example: Alex Anzalone, 4 years, four sacks (1 per season). Zack Baun, 4 years, two sacks (1/2 per season). Pete Werner, 4 years, zero sacks. Demario Davis, 7 seasons, 31 sacks (4.2 sacks per year). The one outliner is Davis, but he's an inside linebacker who has blitzed the middle. He doesn't value outside linebackers.

Yeah i think Kyler Gordon is going to have a big year for Allen.

 

[IBleedBearsBlood]

Can someone confirm this date is accurate? Trying to confirm when the draft is. Thanks.

April 1st.

 

[playthrough2001]

Brashard Smith of SMU has a top 30 with the Bears.

SMU running back Brashard Smith to visit Texans, Vikings, Bears as well as locally with Cowboys

SMU running back to visit Texans

www.click2houston.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1884324456413409680

SMU RB/WR Brashard Smith Visiting Four Teams

SMU RB Brashard Smith told Josh Tolentino at his pro day that he has official visits upcoming with four teams. That list includes the Cowboys, Texans, Vikings and Bears. Smith's visit with Dallas will not

nfltraderumors.co

 

[playthrough2001]

Pro Days/Private Workouts

UCLA LB Joe Vaughn met with the Bears at his pro day. (Aaron Wilson)

Georgia LB Jalon Walker met extensively with the Bears at Georgia’s pro day. (Tony Pauline)

Combine Formal Interviews

LSU OL Will Campbell said he had a formal Combine interview with the Bears. (Adam Rank)

Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty had formal Combine interviews with ten teams, including the Bears. (Ryan Fowler)

Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams had a formal Combine interview with the Bears, per Zack Pearson.

Texas TE Gunnar Helm had formal Combine interviews with seven teams, including the Bears. (Mike Klis)

Virginia Tech DB Dorian Strong had formal Combine interviews with four teams, including the Bears. (Devin Jackson)

Iowa State CB Darien Porter had formal Combine interviews with six teams, including the Bears. (Tom Downey)

Oregon DT Jamaree Caldwell had a formal Combine interview with the Bears. (Tom Downey)

Texas S Andrew Mukuba had a formal Combine interview with the Bears. (CJ Vogel)

Boston College OT Ozzy Trapilo had formal Combine interviews with four teams, including the Bears. (Justin Melo)

Iowa S Sebastian Castro met with the Bears at the Combine. (Nicholas Moreano)

The Bears had a formal meeting with Texas DT Alfred Collins. (Ryan Fowler)

Chicago met with North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton at the combine. (Nicholas Moreano)

LSU OT Emery Jones had a formal Combine interview with five teams, including the Bears. (Tom Downey)

Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson had a formal Combine interview with the Bears. (Tom Downey)

LSU TE Mason Taylor had a formal Combine meeting with the Bears. (MLFootball)

Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo said he had a formal Combine interview with the Bears. (Bo Brack)

Alabama G Tyler Booker said he met with the Bears at the Combine. (Nicholas Moreano)

North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel had a formal meeting with the Bears at the Combine. (Nicholas Moreano)

All-Star Circuit

Memphis WR Roc Taylor met with a long list of teams at the Hula Bowl, including the Bears. (Ryan Fowler)

Virginia Tech WR Ali Jennings met with the Bears, among other teams, at the Hula Bowl. (Ryan Fowler)

Iowa LB Nick Jackson met twice with the Bears at the Hula Bowl. (Ryan Fowler)

Wisconsin LB Jaheim Thomas met with the Bears at the Hula Bowl, among other teams. (Ryan Fowler)

Colorado DE BJ Green II met with the Bears at the Hula Bowl. (Ryan Fowler)

Louisiana Monroe CB Car’lin Vigers met with several teams at the Hula Bowl, including the Bears. (Ryan Fowler)

West Virginia OLB Ty French met with the Bears at the Tropical Bowl. (Ryan Fowler)

Boston College RB Treshaun Ward met with a long list of teams at the Tropical Bowl, including the Bears. (Ryan Fowler)

Miami DE Elijah Alston met with the Bears at the Tropical Bowl. (Ryan Fowler)

2025 NFL Draft Visit Tracker

We will be tracking pre-draft meetings with prospects for teams ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft set to start on Thursday, April 24. Be sure to check back here throughout the offseason for updates to

nfltraderumors.co

 

[playthrough2001]

They start talking Bears and the draft at 8:00 minutes.

Rollins said he met Mykel Williams at a Lakers game by chance. He told Williams he needs to come to Chicago and Williams told him he’d love to play here.

 

[playthrough2001]

Biggest team needs after Free Agency per The Athletic:

“Chicago Bears

The Bears added five new starters up front this offseason: guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. Adding a draft pick or two will also improve the trenches.

The depth at linebacker and safety now stands out. Linebacker T.J. Edwards and safety Kevin Byard are entering the final years of their contracts, while there is an affordable exit point in linebacker Tremaine Edmunds’ deal after 2025. Safety Jaquan Brisker has a history of concussions. Addressing both positions in the draft makes sense. — Adam Jahns

Detroit Lions

What the Lions do at the edge spot opposite of Aidan Hutchinson remains a question. They released veteran Za’Darius Smith — whom they traded for ahead of the deadline after Hutchinson went down — earlier this month. They re-signed Marcus Davenport, the current projected starter, but he’s played just six total games the last two seasons.

A team with Super Bowl aspirations should not count on Davenport to play a starter’s workload and stay healthy over the course of 17 games and the playoffs. The rest of the edge room consists of rotational pieces and depth. The Lions usually address needs in free agency so they don’t have to draft for need, but unless Detroit adds a starting-caliber edge before then, it should be a real priority next month. — Colton Pouncy

Green Bay Packers

The future of Green Bay’s best cornerback, Jaire Alexander, remains uncertain. My guess based on what I’ve heard is still that he doesn’t play for the Packers in 2025. Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell have signed elsewhere in free agency.

The Packers brought in Nate Hobbs from the Raiders and still have Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine (Packer fans won’t be thrilled if that’s the top three), but their need for depth at the position is glaring. You could argue wide receiver is a more pressing need since they’ll be without Christian Watson for at least the first half of the season, but cornerback might be atop the priority list entering the NFL Draft in Green Bay next month. — Matt Schneidman

Minnesota Vikings

The difficulty in trying to answer this question reflects how successful a free-agent period the Vikings had. They added two interior offensive linemen (Ryan Kelly and Will Fries). They revamped the interior of their defensive line (Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave).

They kept high-end cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. They enhanced their running back room (Jordan Mason). Minnesota still needs a backup quarterback. The cornerback room could use more depth. For now, though, the most glaring question mark is at left guard. The Vikings could opt for Blake Brandel or Walter Rouse, but they could also use the draft to fortify this spot. — Alec Lewis”

All-32: Each NFL team’s biggest remaining need after 2025 free agency

Our NFL writers explain what each team still needs as the late stages of NFL free agency continue and the draft approaches.

www.nytimes.com

 

[playthrough2001]

Lots of draft talk from your “favorite” ex-scout.

 

[playthrough2001]

That’s an interesting comp.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1904221925045403803

 

[bamainatlanta]

That’s an interesting comp.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1904221925045403803

Didn’t someone say that he had some red flags regarding his temperament/immaturity?

 

[playthrough2001]

The Jets may be “infatuated”with Tyler Warren. I hope it’s true and the Bears stay focused on the lines.

“If both quarterbacks are off the board, that pushes better talent toward the Jets. New York has plenty of areas of need defensively, especially after not re-signing cornerback DJ Reed Jr. However, first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey seem more focused on the other side of the ball.

In his latest 2025 NFL Draft mock, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda said the Jets are “infatuated” with Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. New York’s interest in the All-American is strong enough that the club reportedly wants to have multiple meetings with him.”

NFL Draft rumors: New York Jets 'infatuated' with this top prospect in 2025 NFL Draft

NFL Draft rumors: Who will the Jets draft in 2025? Recent Jets rumors shed light on a top 2025 NFL Draft prospect the team loves.

sportsnaut.com

 

[playthrough2001]

Didn’t someone say that he had some red flags regarding his temperament/immaturity?

Yes, I did read that somewhere on the forum.

 

[bamainatlanta]

Yes, I did read that somewhere on the forum.

@Xplosive were you the one that posted this? Burden has some attitude issues?

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Lots of draft talk from your “favorite” ex-scout.

He’s very high on Pearce which is what my untrained eyes tell me too. I can’t believe he’s so low in these mocks I am seeing. Mentioned him being a potential double digit sack guy in the league

He likes Warren a lot. Likes Mykel. Liked Grant but not at 10.

The Jeanty comments were interesting. Likes him as a runner but there was some issues with him in the pass game. Thinks he will be gone before 10.

He’s 100% hoping for a trade down more than anything. Pretty good episode overall and I think he’s in line with a lot of us who want trenches.

 

[--CyBear--]

Brashard Smith of SMU has a top 30 with the Bears.

SMU running back Brashard Smith to visit Texans, Vikings, Bears as well as locally with Cowboys

SMU running back to visit Texans

www.click2houston.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1884324456413409680

SMU RB/WR Brashard Smith Visiting Four Teams

SMU RB Brashard Smith told Josh Tolentino at his pro day that he has official visits upcoming with four teams. That list includes the Cowboys, Texans, Vikings and Bears. Smith's visit with Dallas will not

nfltraderumors.co

Nice. Guy isn't scheme specific. Doesn't look as fast in pads as he timed but plenty of speed. My sleeper, Merritt, is more a zone runner. Timed a tick slower in the 40 but looks about the same speed in pads. I suspect Smith is better out of the blocks which is why I think Merritt fits better in zone.

It's guys like these why many teams don't take RBs early. Dude needs to be very special.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Nice. Guy isn't scheme specific. My sleeper, Merritt, is more a zone runner.

Looking forward to Brugler releasing the beast and seeing where all these RBs are ranked

 

[--CyBear--]

Looking forward to Brugler releasing the beast and seeing where all these RBs are ranked

Lot's of hidden gems at RB this year.
Merritt makes #30 on Draft buzz and Smith is #10. I'd take either with the Bears 5th.

 

[hester247]

Why do I feel like the best LT will end up being drafted in mid to late 1st or 2nd rd. Will Campbell, Armand Membou, Kelvin Banks Jr all scream busts to me or players who belong at either RT or Guard due to physical limitations. The only 3 LT that stand out to me are Josh Simmons, Josh Conerly Jr, and Aireontae Ersery. I will be very curious to look back on this draft 2-3 yrs from now.

 

[Luke]

He’s very high on Pearce which is what my untrained eyes tell me too. I can’t believe he’s so low in these mocks I am seeing. Mentioned him being a potential double digit sack guy in the league

He likes Warren a lot. Likes Mykel. Liked Grant but not at 10.

The Jeanty comments were interesting. Likes him as a runner but there was some issues with him in the pass game. Thinks he will be gone before 10.

He’s 100% hoping for a trade down more than anything. Pretty good episode overall and I think he’s in line with a lot of us who want trenches.

Listened to a good bit of it and actually agree with a lot. Things I agree with...
No real LT to take at 10, they will let Braxton and Kiran battle it out.
Williams is a trade down candidate who isn't worth it at 10. I hate the real low pass rush win rate %.
Pearce has elite traits and could be perennial double-digit sacks - no known character flaws. They didn't even touch on his high pass rush win rate %.
IMO, not even close, Pearce over Williams by a longshot.
As you said, I wonder why he isn't ranked and projected higher.

 

[DefNextYear]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1904274402037936220

Restrepo obliterated his draft stock. I saw him being talked about as a 2nd rounder. He probably lost a couple of rounds on this. He definitely should've declined to run if he knew this was the result.