Quarter Season Mock Offseason

[Enasic]

I have a feeling that we will see a heavy investment in the defense in the draft, unless they go QB early.

OL could break that mould a little, but other than that they do not desperately need to get anything on offence. If Long moves to LT and they do not get Goff I think you can lock in a defensive player in the 1st round and probably a LB or perhaps Ramsey or Hargrave.

The OLB talent in the draft looks more like 2nd round guys than top 10 guys. Maybe Bosa in the top 10, but at 6'6" 275lbs he is pretty huge.

I think Bosa would end up playing DE in this defense. He would need to add about 15 pounds or so but I can't see him at LB.

If we miss on Goff I would be happy with Hargreaves, Bosa, Ramsey or Smith. We should be able to get one of those guys. I definitely prefer moving Long to LT and addressing RT and/or RG in FA so we don't have to spend a top 3 pick on the position.

The only thing I would question is if we did sign Trumaine Johnson and we were in a position to draft Hargreaves, what happens with Fuller? Safety would be crowded and it would suck to have a 1st rounder playing NB but our secondary would be pretty fucking good.

 

[Tall Glass Of Jeffery]

Smith and Kearse would be an amazing first 2 picks. I'd like to go after Norman FA from Carolina.

 

[pseudonym]

Great job, Windy. I love when you do these, at any time of the year. Cubs tonight, though!

 

[PolarBear]

Vernon Hargraeves needs to be the #2 guy on the Bears big board after Goff. The next lock down corner. Jaylon Smith should be the #2 defensive guy on their board. I would love for the Bears to get either one of those guys.

 

[RacerX]

Great work Windy but I still think we need more depth at Inside Linebacker Jones and Shea have potential but we need someone to help mentor them.

Danny Trevathan has worked with John Fox before in the past.

Respectfully disagree. Mentoring is a myth. They are both scrubs, and always will be.

Windy: +1,000, well done!

 

[Enasic]

Vernon Hargraeves needs to be the #2 guy on the Bears big board after Goff. The next lock down corner. Jaylon Smith should be the #2 defensive guy on their board. I would love for the Bears to get either one of those guys.

They should be able to come away with one of these two. What about Ramsey though? He has a ton of versatility and is a play maker. The only thing I question about him is how much of a diva is he? Could he become a distraction? I honestly don't know, but the guy can play.

 

[rawdawg]

OK, this is pretty good.

I will say, I think some of your FAs get paid more than what you have them getting.

DeShawn Shead's situation is a lot like Ron Parker's last year. Granted, Parker was a full time starter in his walk year, but he got 5/$25M on the open market. I expect Shead to get closer to that type of money. Teams have shown they will pay a premium for former Seattle DBs. Walter Thurmond got 3.5Mil from the Eagles this year and he is 2 years removed from Seattle and missed all of 2014. I could see Shead getting 4 years for 15-20Mil.

Think Massie could really get paid too. As you said, he's young, continues to get better and allows you to shore up the RT position for 5 years. However, in that scenario, I'd probably keep the option of Long back to RG open and just pray that Tunsil or Stanley is there when the Bears pick. Bell is a good "bird in the hand" signing though, as worst case he could be a versatile backup. And actually, with Massie, Long, and Slauson...you could probably get away with Leno at LT if he plays like he did last week. Though, I'd definitely draft a guy high regardless.

As for the draft, Love Jaylon Smith. One of my favorite players in the draft. And he's been compared to Patrick Willis. However, I don't know about the value of an ILB at 7. I think the BPA on that board would be Jaylen Ramsey out of Florida St. Granted, you sign a FA CB and a FA S, but Ramsey is a guy you could pencil in at either CB or S spot. That would also save you from drafting a pair of S like you have.

I like that you have the Bears spending big on a FA CB. Pace said he would be in the CB market last offseason, but the pricetags were pretty high and he ended up "settling" for Alan Ball. I think you go out and spend on a CB (I really like Josh Norman from Carolina), because you do have young, cheap CB talent in Fuller, Mitchell, McManis and the 2 practice squad guys.

But I have no problems with anything here. I'd be OK with all these moves/picks, and I think we'd have a pretty decent team.

 

[rawdawg]

Oh and I don't think the Bears touch Fields with a 10-ft pole. He's basically the amateur version of Ray McDonald. If the Bears are going to go after a talented edge guy who has off-field issues, I don't think it will be domestic violence issues again....and I think they should look at a guy like Noah Spence.

Spence is at Eastern Kentucky, but he would be across the line from Joey Bosa if he didn't get kicked out of Ohio St. Spence is a knucklehead also, but his issue was drug use. Apparently, he loved to party with a couple failed ecstacy tests and alcohol related arrests. But I'll take that over a woman beater any day. And he can really play. Great edge speed, a little undersized, but he lives in the opponent's backfield and was the best player on the field vs. SEC Kentucky last week. Fangio and the 49ers took a chance on Aaron Lynch last year and it's paid off for them so far.

 

[PolarBear]

They should be able to come away with one of these two. What about Ramsey though? He has a ton of versatility and is a play maker. The only thing I question about him is how much of a diva is he? Could he become a distraction? I honestly don't know, but the guy can play.

I heard a lot of scouts see him as a safety. I think he would be a really nice FS with his size and CB skills but this team really needs a CB. If we took Ramsey I wouldn't be mad at all but if I can get an equally if not more talented player at a bigger position of need...I am taking Hargraeves.

 

[MaoTenDoo]

"...have selected Jared Goff. And now the Bears are on the clock."

'Tis our luck.

 

[Matt Suhey]

Windy has some good ideas here but it feels too much like a scout making an off season plan as opposed to how a GM should approach an off season. A GM needs to be the one who has the biggest overall picture and Windy’s plan seems more about filling the holes based on needs. BTW an HC’s priority is about winning games now. A prime example of what I mean about having a big picture plan is starting with an over arching premise and go from there. The premise I would start with would be that the best teams win by having a dominant unit either defense or offense. Given that this is the pass happy era of the NFL and that our Bears have much more talent on offense than defense, the obvious start to the off season is build a kick ass offense from top to bottom then do as best as possible for the defense. So this is where I differ with Windy. He has the Bears drafting defense the first two picks. Yes he does not ignore the offense by having our guys signing Massie and drafting a guard but I do not feel this is looking at the big picture. The best olineman just do not go FA. Given that offense is the priority and the oline is clearly the weakest link on offense (ignoring the Cutler haters for the moment) that all leads me to drafting an OT in maybe the first but preferably the second round. Windy makes a good point that the FA oline pickings should be pretty fat but that also means that less teams will reach for an OT early in the draft. So my first building block to the off season would be to pencil in Kyle at LT and draft a long term fix at RT in the 2nd round. Spencer Drago might be the guy. If Grasu is as good as the coaches and scouts believe he is the Bears oline starts to look kind of impressive. So my projected OT at this point would be left to right, Long, Slauson, Grasu, Montgomery or an FA, 2nd round pick. Now Windy’s idea about Wentz in the 3rd could be an inspired one however I want to know how smart he is. Not whether he can read defenses now but that he has the capacity to make great decisions in split second time like Rodgers and Brady do now. Brady likes to talk about how cerebral a QB needs to be so thats the quality I want to see in a QB to be groomed. This sets up our Bears to spend the first pick and some serious FA money on defense. I would consider signing an RG in FA but not before the defense is really on solid footing. Being on solid footing would be based on FA signings and who they project to draft in the first round. The lynchpin of this plan is to build a great oline for Cutler and whomever is groomed for the future. This team has never said **** it lets build the best possible oline even though we all know around here that the oline has been our Achilles heel for way too many seasons. I believe it is entirely possible that if the Bears can quickly build a top notch oline that Jay could take us deep into the playoffs. Last but not least yes I would keep Forte and Jeffrey and give Marty a new contract. They are essential to maintaining a deep group of skills players on offense. Oh yeah I would probably keep Zach Miller if possible.

Getting back to Windys plan I am not really digging on the first pick being an ILB. Jaylon Smith also weighs only 235-240 not sure that big enough to be a pass rushing force. Again looking big picture in this era its all about the pass. So that pick is either an OLB with great pass rush skills or a cover corner.

The Bears dline is in solid if not great shape with Jarvis, Eddie, Ego, Sutton and Jay. In FA target a veteran ILB to play alongside Shea or maybe Christian but probably Shea. The Bears defense has been lacking in leadership on defense and this would be a great spot to add both talent and leadership to the defense. Thats another reason not to draft an ILB in the first round unless he is a great pass rusher and brings lots of innate leadership qualities.

In FA the first priority should be a cover corner or OLB pass rusher type depending on whom the Bears think they can draft in the first round. The best possibility seems to be sign Windy’s target Bruce Irvin then the Bears could look to a cover corner type in the draft. Irvin and McPhee could be quite the pass rush duo. As far as a 1st round corner, maybe the right guy is Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU. LSU cranks out quality defensive backs just about every draft. He has a similar build to Kyle Fuller at 5-11 and 191 lbs and has run a 4.38, 40 yard dash. Kyle ran a 4.4. Lets say these dream scenarios on defense actually happen with Amos at FS we really need a veteran at SS. Windy identified SS DeShawn Shead as a good FA signing. Maybe he can bring some of that Seahawk secondary attitude to our team. I would also like to keep Terrence Mitchell which is kind of an obvious move.

So that would be my basic off season plan.

 

[Wild_x_Card]

Do a little more homework on Nkemdiche windy. He's got character concern's that very well could affect his draft stock.

Other than that very solid off season plan.

 

[mecha]

How many Franchise qbs were taken later than the 2nd round? Tom Brady and Romo are the exception

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

Russel Wilson. does Drew Brees count at 2nd round, pick 32? actually how was he 32? the Houston Texans didn't exist yet in 2001.

rest of the QBs probably drafted 3rd or later are all fly by night garbage that will probably be out of the league in 2 years.

 

[Shepard]

Thanks for doing this, Windy. Keep them coming as the season goes along- we all enjoy reading these.

Not to nitpick and its an impossible call at this point with so much football left, but I think both Irvin & Massie get more than what you have them going for- especially Massie. If 8mil guaranteed is all it would take to land Massie- the Cards will just keep him. I also think Irvin would stay with Seattle at that price. I understand he hasn't been a fit in Seattle, but I do believe they like him as he plays a ton and Carroll won't just let a pass rusher he developed walk away like that. Regardless of Seattle's cap situation- they can bring back Irvin under those numbers. I also don't see Irvin being a Fangio guy off the edge- he's a stout missile who can fly, but he's not your long/lean type that Fangio would covet.

I'd have to think this would be a dream off-season for the Bears if it were to happen.

 

[-Cago34-]

 

[Runruffshod75]

Swap out Wentz for Cody Kessler & this would be an amazing mock. I would love an off season that netted the Bears Trumaine Johnson, Irving & Jaylon Smith. I like the thinking & it's still a very good mock. I would love to get Jaylon Smith with the first pick, especially if the pick were followed up with Cody Kessler in a later round. Jaylon Smith is a genetic freak of nature & Kessler just does everything right & is still overlooked & criminally underrated.

Plus I agree & also hope that Martellus Bennett is kept kept around long term, & also hope the Bears tailor a passing attack around him. He really is that good.

 

[dawags]

With a QB weak, OT strong 1st rd. I could live with us trading down a few spots to take an OT then packaging some picks to move up in the 2nd. The new head of scouting is from the Ravens where Newsome has said that he tries to hit doubles in the draft, not homers.

 

[WindyCity]

OT high in the 1st seems like a luxury of Long moves to LT, but could easily see them going OG or RTin the 2nd.

I don't know if they will ignore the defense again. I think that they will add some actual playmakers to the defense, the big picture to me would be to alternate between investment cycles. Last year resources went to the offense, this season the defense will get more of the investment.

That way you don't have a situation like the Bears had when the defense aged and fell off a cliff.

 

[WindyCity]

I could see them going,

1. Defensive Cornerstone
2. Starting OL
3. Rotational Defender

Kind of the reverse of this years plan.

 

[Matt Suhey]

I could see them going,

1. Defensive Cornerstone
2. Starting OL
3. Rotational Defender

Kind of the reverse of this years plan.

So you can see them drafting in the first two rounds exactly what I posted on this thread that the Bears should do. Your generosity in acknowledging this is overwhelming.