This Year’s Draft OT Class vs Braxton Jones

[Xplosive]

Definitely not saying they must draft an OL, I’m justifying why it would be okay if they did, specifically if the right tackle prospect is there.

Personally, I think the move is DL.

The only position I absolutely do not want to see in round 1 is TE

Well I never said that OL should NOT be taken at #10. Membou is a no brainer. Kelvin Banks Jr also makes a ton of sense.

 

[bears51/40]

Holy Will Campbell ... I was told that he's really great and the Bears must run to the podium for him

A guy on this list who might be there in the third round for the Bears is Belton..............someone you could develop at either tackle or guard. A negative for him is he will be a 24-year-old rookie.

 

[SugarWalls]

Well I never said that OL should NOT be taken at #10. Membou is a no brainer. Kelvin Banks Jr also makes a ton of sense.

Well I never hecking said they have to draft OL lmao

 

[Xplosive]

A guy on this list who might be there in the third round for the Bears is Belton..............someone you could develop at either tackle or guard. A negative for him is he will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Anthony Belton

N.C. State

6-6

336

5.26

10 1/4

33 7/8

83 1/8

I haven't paid him any attention, will check him out. Charles Grant is another option they might consider at #72

 

[bears51/40]

33 1/2”

Same as Rashawn Slater of the Chargers.

 

[Xplosive]

Well I never hecking said they have to draft OL lmao

This is what happens when Anti-Haul and a Haul-O-Famer collide. I won't hold a grudge and rest my case.

 

[Sculpt]

I've been a pretty big Braxton stan over the last few years, but to me the reason the Bears would/should consider OT @10 isnt for 2025, its for 2026 and beyond. You're probably not going to find a rookie OT better than Braxton as a 4th year vet, thats not an apples to apples comparison though. What worries me about Jones is if he gets marginally better this next year, but misses 4-6 games. He's going to get $20-$25M AAV in FA if he does that, Bears would have to commit big money to a decent but not great OT that would at that point have durability concerns. To me, this is the draw of someone like Kelvin Banks (after a small tradedown would be even better) - he's insurance for if any one of Jackson/Thuney/Jones dont go according to plan.

I dont think thats what Poles *will* do, it would be effectively saying 2 of his guys (Jones and Kiran) arent good enough to invest in the future with - but I think its a reasonable line to take to protect the franchise on what is likely to be the biggest contract extension on the horizon until Calebs given how much decent young OTs make in FA.

The way I look at it is, Jones is just decent and hopefully the Bears can just pay him as decent.

I mean, at any position, it's good when you can replace a very expensive player with a very good rookie, but I'd rather get a very good rookie at a position where you have a liability to build a team without liabilities.

Plus, it's good to keep stability in your OL too cause they work as a unit.

 

[bears51/40]

Anthony Belton

N.C. State

6-6

336

5.26

10 1/4

33 7/8

83 1/8

I haven't paid him any attention, will check him out. Charles Grant is another option they might consider at #72

There are so many opinions at who the Bears can take at 10 that people forget the Bears can find top talent in this draft in the 2nd and 3rd round. Hell, just take best football player you can get at #1 and be done with it. OL, DL, RB, TE, whoever fits Johnson's vision of this team the best. I would hope this player is day one plug and play.

 

[Xplosive]

There are so many opinions at who the Bears can take at 10 that people forget the Bears can find top talent in this draft in the 2nd and 3rd round. Hell, just take best football player you can get at #1 and be done with it. OL, DL, RB, TE, whoever fits Johnson's vision of this team the best. I would hope this player is plug and play.

That's all I've been saying. Everyone acts like if they don't grab OL/DL in round 1 the draft is over and they can't possibly find any depth elsewhere.

 

[DC]

Dj Moore is the only proven offensive weapon that teams have to focus on. We have hope that Odunze will be the second. Swift and Kmet are slightly above average, but defenses aren't scared to play the Bears because of them.

It's moronic of fans to become obsessed with over emphasis on the trenches just because Philly won the superbowl. The Bears should consider skill players in the first two rounds just as much as worrying about building depth in case of injury.

It’s really about the last 40 years. Don’t let me stop you or anyone else from being a prisoner of the moment though.

It’s been proven over and over again that winning teams focus on the lines…both sides of the football.

 

[Leon Sandcastle]

I’ve come full circle again. I want Josh Simmons. Then we can roll with Jones until Simmons is 100% rehabbed. Then, we make him earn the spot of protecting Caleb’s blindside. He may not make it this year if Braxton jones plays well, but we will get an idea of what Simmons can do.

Then next year, when Braxton Jones is looking for an expensive contract, we can let him go to the highest bidder, and pick up a comp pick. If Simmons recovers from his injury and plays to his potential, we have one of the best olines in the league. I might even put it on par with Philly or KC (on paper).

I like the idea of Simmons if his medical look good. But imagine the criticism he will get for another pre injured player.

 

[Luke]

I just posted this in another thread.

Take Kelvin Banks Jr. Let him battle it out with Jones. If it’s close, starts Banks and make Jones the swing. I’d push Kiran inside either way.

It covers the Bears if Jones is slow to recover from his injury and if they don’t think he’s good enough to give an extension.

Also, I believe it gives Kiran a better chance to develop.

I just saw Matt Miller on NFL live and he said that he has spoken with teams around the league and they expect Banks to be selected in the 20's because of concerns of his foot speed. He was projecting him to the Texans at 25. Thats seems consistent with DJ, Brugler and Kipers projections as well. If that's the case, are you on to another OL or looking towards WIlliams?

oh, and those gams on Laura Rutledge

 

[TheEarlofRobin]

I just saw Matt Miller on NFL live and he said that he has spoken with teams around the league and they expect Banks to be selected in the 20's because of concerns of his foot speed. He was projecting him to the Texans at 25. Thats seems consistent with DJ, Brugler and Kipers projections as well. If that's the case, are you on to another OL or looking towards WIlliams?

I would rather the Bears draft "BPA" at 10 and then if one of the 'top' OTs is still around at the start of Round 2, trade up to draft him. Seems like all of the top OTs have some type of flaw in them.

 

[Luke]

I would rather the Bears draft "BPA" at 10 and then if one of the 'top' OTs is still around at the start of Round 2, trade up to draft him. Seems like all of the top OTs have some type of flaw in them.

yeah, I'm all for BPA - whoever can make the most impact ASAP.

 

[playthrough2001]

I just saw Matt Miller on NFL live and he said that he has spoken with teams around the league and they expect Banks to be selected in the 20's because of concerns of his foot speed. He was projecting him to the Texans at 25. Thats seems consistent with DJ, Brugler and Kipers projections as well. If that's the case, are you on to another OL or looking towards WIlliams?

oh, and those gams on Laura Rutledge

If the Texans targeted him to replace Tunsil, what would that say about Banks?

I’m not saying that is their plan, but if he’s good enough to be projected as a Tunsil replacement, then he’s good enough to compete with or possibly replace Jones.