Official NFL Draft Thread - Bear Fans Only

[knoxville7]

i think that come draft day, Pearce will be taken in the first 15 picks.

if CCS realizes he has been mocked way too low, then I imagine NFL GM's realize this too.

teams like the ravens and chiefs are hoping that he falls to them at the end of the first round

 

[Luke]

i think that come draft day, Pearce will be taken in the first 15 picks.

if CCS realizes he has been mocked way too low, then I imagine NFL GM's realize this too.

teams like the ravens and chiefs are hoping that he falls to them at the end of the first round

Sorry, I'm sure you answered this before, but can you give us your local scouting report on Pearce including his supposed character issues.
thanks!

 

[knoxville7]

Sorry, I'm sure you answered this before, but can you give us your local scouting report on Pearce including his supposed character issues.
thanks!

pearce has the best first step in the draft IMO, yes even better than carter

he is a better run defender than people realize, freak athlete that hit 23MPH when returning an INT for a TD in a bowl game against iowa. he is really good with his hands, it has helped him keep massive tackles from locking him down despite his "undersize" at the position.

he needs to add some pass rush moves, but as it stands, he has a really nice counter move when tackles stop his speed rush to the outside using his hands to counter spin to the inside.

character concerns i never heard of this being an issue during his time in college and these rumors only started just after the season, before the draft. sounds sus to me. like, these accusations are coming from kids he went to high school with...why didnt these accusations come out before now is my question?

 

[DefNextYear]

I know people have said Allen prefers the bigger DE’s but the bears already have those body types in dayo and sweat, and dayo can shift inside on pass downs.

I’d love if the bears took someone with significantly higher pass rush upside like Mike green or Pearce

I know the history is the history, but I take it only at the minimum level of face value it deserves. Just cause the smallest edges he's had have been a certain size, it doesn't mean he has a set limit without exceptions. We'd need a deep dive to see if they historically passed on better talent that was smaller for bigger guys. There are a number of factors as well.

1. How much did his previous GMs control the size of the guys drafted based on their own philosophies?
2. How much has Dennis Allen's defensive theory/needs evolved since he's taken his top end edges? How much does it continue to change?
3. How much influence does Allen really have in Poles' and Ben's decision making?

At the end of the day, while it's nice to take Allen's input, I am drafting the best talents I can find if I'm Poles (or Ben). They simply cannot guarantee Dennis Allen will be here forever, so you can't just put your neck on the line to cater to your DC. They would need to draft the types of players they believe in most to be players on their team. Take the BPA. It sounds a bit unfair to a degree, but the DC has to figure it out.

Long winded way of saying I wouldn't put those pass rushers out just based on size. If Poles or Ben feel strongly about them, my guess is they draft them. Modern defenses are more and more hybrid that Allen will figure it out.

 

[JesusHalasChrist]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1904567724535316592

 

[dabears70]

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.

High on Pearce the player but says teams will still need to find out more about these character issues and said he seems to be refusing to talk about it.

Pretty sure he also said he likes Mykel but not at #10.

Yeah the thing that caught me attention as soon as he said was the 5 drops in 29 pass attempts which is a lot.

I actually can't believe i made it through so much of that video.

Also said about Will Campbell that people keep saying he never gave up a sack to a SEC team but he saw 2 just last year.

 

[knoxville7]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1904567724535316592

tweet of the day for sure

 

[bears51/40]

What you have to look at is what team needs a RB at the end of the 1st round?

Eagles - no
Chiefs - maybe (Hunt/Pacheco)
Bills - no
Was - maybe (Brian Robinson)
Det - no
Bal - no
Rams - no
Hou - maybe?

So I guess there ARE a few teams that might make that move.

Denver at 20 Pittsburgh at 22.

 

[Les Grossman]

pearce has the best first step in the draft IMO, yes even better than carter

he is a better run defender than people realize, freak athlete that hit 23MPH when returning an INT for a TD in a bowl game against iowa. he is really good with his hands, it has helped him keep massive tackles from locking him down despite his "undersize" at the position.

he needs to add some pass rush moves, but as it stands, he has a really nice counter move when tackles stop his speed rush to the outside using his hands to counter spin to the inside.

character concerns i never heard of this being an issue during his time in college and these rumors only started just after the season before the draft. sounds sus to me. like, these accusations are coming from kids he went to high school with...why didnt these accusations come out before now is my question?

Yes I remember last offseason many posters here (including myself) were re-attaching our d*cks at the thought of somehow getting Pearce in next year's draft. A year ago he was basically this draft's Carter.

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

pearce has the best first step in the draft IMO, yes even better than carter

he is a better run defender than people realize, freak athlete that hit 23MPH when returning an INT for a TD in a bowl game against iowa. he is really good with his hands, it has helped him keep massive tackles from locking him down despite his "undersize" at the position.

he needs to add some pass rush moves, but as it stands, he has a really nice counter move when tackles stop his speed rush to the outside using his hands to counter spin to the inside.

character concerns i never heard of this being an issue during his time in college and these rumors only started just after the season before the draft. sounds sus to me. like, these accusations are coming from kids he went to high school with...why didnt these accusations come out before now is my question?

If he falls out of top ten I think he’s the steal of the draft

 

[Les Grossman]

I know the history is the history, but I take it only at the minimum level of face value it deserves. Just cause the smallest edges he's had have been a certain size, it doesn't mean he has a set limit without exceptions. We'd need a deep dive to see if they historically passed on better talent that was smaller for bigger guys. There are a number of factors as well.

1. How much did his previous GMs control the size of the guys drafted based on their own philosophies?
2. How much has Dennis Allen's defensive theory/needs evolved since he's taken his top end edges? How much does it continue to change?
3. How much influence does Allen really have in Poles' and Ben's decision making?

At the end of the day, while it's nice to take Allen's input, I am drafting the best talents I can find if I'm Poles (or Ben). They simply cannot guarantee Dennis Allen will be here forever, so you can't just put your neck on the line to cater to your DC. They would need to draft the types of players they believe in most to be players on their team. Take the BPA. It sounds a bit unfair to a degree, but the DC has to figure it out.

Long winded way of saying I wouldn't put those pass rushers out just based on size. If Poles or Ben feel strongly about them, my guess is they draft them. Modern defenses are more and more hybrid that Allen will figure it out.

I don't think that's how it works really. The GM is tied to his team's success, which is being on board with the coaching. If the GM and coach are not in alignment, that won't work very well. A GM can draft "his" guy but we won't get the most out of him if the coaches don't know how to use him.

Let's not forget that the GM won't be here forever as well.

 

[bears51/40]

Not taking an off-the-ball linebacker at 10

I would say Walker is much more than that..........think of how Micah Parsons was used in his rookie year. He was a LB/DE who moved around the front seven and you never knew where he was going to come from. A lot how Georgia used Walker.

 

[legendxofxlink]

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.

Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Pearce have better numbers than Abdul Carter. Honestly, you kinda want guys in the trenches to be slightly unstable.

 

[SugarWalls]

I know the history is the history, but I take it only at the minimum level of face value it deserves. Just cause the smallest edges he's had have been a certain size, it doesn't mean he has a set limit without exceptions. We'd need a deep dive to see if they historically passed on better talent that was smaller for bigger guys. There are a number of factors as well.

1. How much did his previous GMs control the size of the guys drafted based on their own philosophies?
2. How much has Dennis Allen's defensive theory/needs evolved since he's taken his top end edges? How much does it continue to change?
3. How much influence does Allen really have in Poles' and Ben's decision making?

At the end of the day, while it's nice to take Allen's input, I am drafting the best talents I can find if I'm Poles (or Ben). They simply cannot guarantee Dennis Allen will be here forever, so you can't just put your neck on the line to cater to your DC. They would need to draft the types of players they believe in most to be players on their team. Take the BPA. It sounds a bit unfair to a degree, but the DC has to figure it out.

Long winded way of saying I wouldn't put those pass rushers out just based on size. If Poles or Ben feel strongly about them, my guess is they draft them. Modern defenses are more and more hybrid that Allen will figure it out.

Yes I agree with all, and other than getting a unicorn dominant 3T which is hard to find, the bears don’t have a true ‘pass rush specialist’ or someone they can expect to get pressure consistently on 3rd down.

Sweat is good and I’m hopeful for dayo, but they have the opportunity to get an edge that can consistently bring pressure.

Usually those guys are gone top of the draft, bears have a chance to get one at 10 and they should take it. If green didn’t have the personal concerns it would be a no brainer

 

[bears51/40]

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.

Trade down would be nice if you can find a partner.

 

[bears51/40]

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.

There are some questions he would not answer in the interviews I believe. AT 243, pro GMs don't know how well he will stand up against the run.

 

[bears51/40]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1904169254158843913

If the Bears drafted Campbell, he would have to be a LT.

 

[DefNextYear]

I don't think that's how it works really. The GM is tied to his team's success, which is being on board with the coaching. If the GM and coach are not in alignment, that won't work very well. A GM can draft "his" guy but we won't get the most out of him if the coaches don't know how to use him.

Let's not forget that the GM won't be here forever as well.

I get your point, but the GM makes the decision. So, whether he's around long or not doesn't matter. Allen isn't even in the draft room. So, if Poles theoretically thinks Pearce is way better than Mykel or Stewart, you can't draft those guys above him simply cause Pearce is like 10 lbs too light. Otherwise, if Mykel or whoever is a total bust, everyone will kill Poles. No one will care that Allen preferred him.

A hypothetical would be... what if the Bears had Micah Parsons on this roster or the opportunity to trade for him? Would the Bears move on cause he isn't heavy enough for Dennis Allen's liking? Or his arms aren't long enough? Of course the Bears wouldn't do that. And I bet Allen would love to have a talent like that.

Again, I totally get your point. But I'm not saying Poles should run wild and draft anything. He'd be drafting the best player available that he believes could fit the team. If the guy can play football, he'll be fine in whatever scheme. Also, we're merely speculating that Allen even cares about the size that much. We're also assuming that Poles couldn't put together the tape and report to give to Allen and convince him that this guy would be an amazing fit even if he's too light (or whatever). At the end of the day, I genuinely have a lot of faith that if you give Allen a very good edge, he will make the most of him.

 

[Enasic]

Biggs has been all in on the Campbell hype train lately. If Bears aren’t concerned about his barely “too short” arms, then I am not. Dude is tenacious and would be welcome addition to OL to take over for Jones

The thing is, it’s not just his arm length. His wing span is extremely short too. He would be a complete outlier at LT. Name one great LT with this arm length and wingspan. So the question is: Does he become the first player to overcome those measurements? Personally, I think betting on a guy to become the first is a losing proposition. He will not be a LT in the NFL and his transition to guard won’t be easy either.

 

[DefNextYear]

So here's a random thought... McShay has proposed a trade for the Giants to move up from the 2nd to get Dart at 19. He, in this video, talks about the Jets doing the exact same thing. I wonder what people would think about a trade like this (Rich Hill chart):

Bears:
2025 10 overall - 369 points

Jets:
2025 42 overall - 142 points
2026 1st - 180 points (assumed equal to this year's top of the 2nd)
2025 110 - 30 points
2026 4th - 15 points (assumed equal to this year's top of the 4th)
Total - 367 points

I don't love this year's draft, but I do like the OL prospects next year. I think trading out of this draft and moving down to pick 42, picking up a future 1st, will be a huge plus. Pick 42 can also be ammo to move up into the end of the 1st if someone slips that they like. The obvious bad part is this delays improving the team a bit, but it might not be as much as it would hurt in other years.

There's debate on the true value of a future pick, so I went up to the top of the current round. One could argue something different, but I think it's pretty fair. At worst, it should be playing around with the two extra picks or returning a future pick while adjusting some of the picks I proposed above.