I get it and am also down with going with one of the 3 (Campbell, Membou, Banks) but i do hate the idea of the chance that our #10 pick could end up sitting a full year. I know there's most likely going to be an injury even if it's only for a game or three but sure would be nice having a pass rusher who we know will be running plays every game and then hoping someone like Conerly or Erserly or Cam Williams and maybe even Josh Simmons if teams are really scared off by how serious of an injury he's coming off of at #39 or #41.
Yup, it’s not ideal. It’s not unlike a QB sitting though. I think we’re in a spot where we actually have decent starters across the board, so it’s not easy for a rookie to come in and just start. The other factor is it seems to be a fairly mediocre draft. Guys who would start likely won’t fall to 10, but Membou is one I’d imagine would win the spot outright (though I don’t expect him to make it to 10 anymore). For what it’s worth, I’m actually not very convinced Braxton would hold off any other LT selected at 10.
Another group that would probably get significant playtime is LB, but it’s like RB in that no one wants to see us pick one at 10.
I think this is a list of guys I could give at least some decent chance of being drafted by the Bears at 10:
- Jeanty
- Hampton
- Membou
- Will Campbell
- Banks Jr.
- Simmons
- Warren
- Booker
- Mason
- Grant
- Stewart
- Mykel
- Pearce
- Green
- Jihaad
- Jalon Walker
- Will Johnson
Of those names, I think only the RBs, LBs, and Will Johnson would really be able to lead their position in snaps besides Membou and Mason, who I expect to be off the board. Warren may steal the lead from Kmet too. All the DL guys would likely get good snaps in rotation, but all are high risk or not exactly Dennis Allen fits (besides Mason). So really, I kind of expect there’s a good chance that whoever we draft will come in as a bench guy and maybe win a starting role by end of season, at best.
All things considered, I do think RB is a very high likelihood with the pick, which would solve the playing time concern. Ben values the position too much and I’m not sure he’d want to gamble on what’s left later in the draft. And I don’t disagree with taking one in the 2nd, I’m only saying they can’t completely eliminate the possibility of taking one at 10.