Top 3 Draft Board

[Visionman]

Thats Pace’s M.O. he doesnt let his plans get out

For a QB, yes. For James? No reason for him to do that. In fact, if he wanted to throw teams off, he wouldn't be looking at DBs at all. But he has met with Fitz, Ward, and even lower ranked guys. But not James.

 

[rawdawg]

Quentin Nelson- I'm a big "position value" guy, but assuming Barkley and Chubb are gone, this is a can't miss prospect at one of the 2 biggest needs for the Bears. If you like BPA, there's no chance he's not the best player on the board if he's there at 8, unless Barkley beats up his girlfriend this week, while smoking a bong on his knees during the national anthem.

Tremaine Edmunds- Another anti position value player. I think it's overblown how raw Edmunds is and understated how good he currently is at ILB, especially in coverage. Also plays a need position. A unique athlete. If the Bears miss out on Nelson, there will be other good guards that may even be better fits in the zone blocking scheme. Bears miss out on Chubb, there are other pass rushers who could get after the QB. There isn't another 6'5", 250lb LB with Edmunds' skill set (sorry, not a Vander Esch fan, and he'll be gone by 39 anyway). Throw in even a little potential on the edge, and he'd be tough to pass up.

Roquan Smith- Again, position value not there in the top 10. But he's a guy you can build a defense around ala Patrick Willis. There's no projection with him. What you see is what you're going to get. And what you get is a leader, who can fly around the field and be a tackling machine. Safer pick than Edmunds, though more limited upside. While Edmunds has a slight shot to help on the edge, and Nelson has a slight shot to be a tackle because he's so good, Smith is only going to help out in 1 area. But he will be very good in that area.

I'm pretty intrigued by Derwin James, who'd be my 4th. There's some that think he can play some corner. We know he can play in the box. He can play FS. With as much as the Bears play nickel, Fangio could move around James, Amos and Jackson between deep middle, slot, and rover. The back end of the D would be fast and versatile. James may have the most upside of any defensive player in this draft. If Fangio can figure out how to maximize him while not lessening Amos or Jackson's role, then the Bears could have a potential stud.

 

[Starion]

Nelson, Edmunds, Ward


I think that actually matches their grading as tops at that point. Not why I think this way, just saying I'm not alone. High ceilings & floors, with Edmunds being the exception of a risky floor.

 

[Starion]

1) OG Quenton Nelson - Notre Dame
Possibly the best prospect in the draft. The best offensive line prospect in forever. Has all-pro potential and drawing real comparisons to hall of fame players. Would sure up the interior of our offensive line for the next 5+ years (baring health) with Nelson, Whitehair, Long.

2) DB Minkah Fitzpatrick - Alabama
Prior to the underwear Olympics, he was widely considered one of the best 3 or 4 prospects in the draft. He can play every position in the defensive backfield at an elite level plus nickel or dime linebacker. Bonafide playmaker, was the defensive leader for one of the best defenses in college football learning the defensive back position from one of the best defensive back coaches in Saban. Fuller, Fitzpatrick, Amos, Jackson will have our defensive backfield locked and loaded for the next 5+ years as well.

3) LB Tremaine Edmunds - Virginia Tech
Rare and elite combination of size, speed and strength. At only 19 years old, he still has room to grow his already imposing frame even more. Long, lengthy, strong, fast and will become bigger, stronger and faster. Will have his athletically developmental years molded by the hands of one of the best defensive coaches in the game with Fangio. Another stud playmaker tallying over 100 tackles each of the last two seasons. Has the ability to shed blocks and shut down the run game. Cover the big and athletic tight ends. Rush the passer from the inside and can move to the edge on situations. Versatile. Could be moved to edge rusher as his career progresses, but right now he is a massive upgrade over Kwiatoski.

^ On second thought I kinda like this better with either Ward or Fitz as CB#2 & Fuller.


Locking up a 2nd shutdown CB would be pretty sweet. Those guys are hard to come by at top tier, and overpriced via FA if ever available. LBs can be drafted mid rounds of mid-late in 1st next year with current guys for now at worst and still have top 10 DEF from last year.

 

[PolarBear]

As much as I love Roquan, he simply cannot be a MLB at the next level. He is incapable of stacking and shedding blockers. As a 3-4 ILB, you can't hide unless you have some absolute monsters upfront.

He isn't a fit for the Bears. His best fit would be Oakland at #10 or Dallas at #19.

 

[playthrough2001]

Quentin Nelson- I'm a big "position value" guy, but assuming Barkley and Chubb are gone, this is a can't miss prospect at one of the 2 biggest needs for the Bears. If you like BPA, there's no chance he's not the best player on the board if he's there at 8, unless Barkley beats up his girlfriend this week, while smoking a bong on his knees during the national anthem.

Tremaine Edmunds- Another anti position value player. I think it's overblown how raw Edmunds is and understated how good he currently is at ILB, especially in coverage. Also plays a need position. A unique athlete. If the Bears miss out on Nelson, there will be other good guards that may even be better fits in the zone blocking scheme. Bears miss out on Chubb, there are other pass rushers who could get after the QB. There isn't another 6'5", 250lb LB with Edmunds' skill set (sorry, not a Vander Esch fan, and he'll be gone by 39 anyway). Throw in even a little potential on the edge, and he'd be tough to pass up.

Roquan Smith- Again, position value not there in the top 10. But he's a guy you can build a defense around ala Patrick Willis. There's no projection with him. What you see is what you're going to get. And what you get is a leader, who can fly around the field and be a tackling machine. Safer pick than Edmunds, though more limited upside. While Edmunds has a slight shot to help on the edge, and Nelson has a slight shot to be a tackle because he's so good, Smith is only going to help out in 1 area. But he will be very good in that area.

I'm pretty intrigued by Derwin James, who'd be my 4th. There's some that think he can play some corner. We know he can play in the box. He can play FS. With as much as the Bears play nickel, Fangio could move around James, Amos and Jackson between deep middle, slot, and rover. The back end of the D would be fast and versatile. James may have the most upside of any defensive player in this draft. If Fangio can figure out how to maximize him while not lessening Amos or Jackson's role, then the Bears could have a potential stud.

Myself, Xplosive, Modo and a few others all agree with this and have been making this argument for weeks. There are a number of excellent articles on a Fitz and James in a thread I started that fell off the first page.

http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/showthread.php/95075-Fitzpatrick-v-James

 

[dennehy]

As much as I love Roquan, he simply cannot be a MLB at the next level. He is incapable of stacking and shedding blockers. As a 3-4 ILB, you can't hide unless you have some absolute monsters upfront.

He isn't a fit for the Bears. His best fit would be Oakland at #10 or Dallas at #19.

I'm betting he's going to be a Raider.

 

[vabearsfan15]

1. Trade back

2. Trade back

3. Trade back

 

[Runruffshod75]

Not sure I can say all of the three names I have are considered first round material by many but I believe their play will justify the means in the end. Not based on any bias tied to wants/needs, hopes, positional weakness, media hype, or just vying to be right, & just flat out who do I believe are going to be among the best outstanding football players from this class & I do believe three of those players are:

OT - Mike McGlinchey (Reminds me so much of Tait as a player its almost scary)

ILB/OLB - Rashaad Evans ( IMO this kid has the brains & ability to be another Navorro Bowman if he keeps up the hard work)

WR - Christian Kirk (IMO this kid is going to light it up. Especially if this kid is used in a role like NE uses a slot WR as a primary target hes going to light it up)

 

[hester247]

With the draft quickly approaching, who are your top 3 guys for the 1st round and Why?
Lets assume that 3 QB’s, Barkley & Chubb are gone by #8...


#1. Derwin James SS/LB
6-2 215lbs - 4.47 40yd - 40” VJ -11’ BJ - 21 Reps - 7.34 TC - 4.34 SS
84 TKL + 5.5 TFL + 11 PD + 2 INT

James is a top 5 physical talent alone, he’s as fast as a CB like Fitzpatrick, but also stronger than Tremaine Edmunds or Roquan Smith. His size/strength/speed combo will allow him to be the kind of defensive chess piece the Bears are lacking. He is a great blitzer and can get off of blocks better than many linebackers because of his strength. He tackles like a linebacker but covers like a DB. In the modern pass happy NFL this is the kind of player you need to match up with big WRs and TE’s like Gronk, and the Bears should not pass him up.


#2. Quenten Nelson OG 33.75 Arms 10.35 Hands
6-5 325lbs - 5.23 40yd - 26” VJ - 8’09” BJ - 35 REPS - 7.65 TC - 4.62 SS

Nelson has the makings of a perennial all-pro OG. His arm length and wingspan are greater than some tackle prospects and he could potentially be a RT to replace Massie. Either way the best way to ensure the Bears have a potent offense is to make sure the OL is solid. Last years OL was shaky at times and they will be under more pressure with Nagy’s offense.


#3. Harold Landry OLB
6-2 252lbs - 4.64 40yd - 36” VJ - 9.92’ BJ - 24 REPS - 6.88 TC - 4.19 SS
25 Scks (career) - 48 TFL - 158 TKL - 10 FF

The Bears need to replace the pass rush that they let go of and get someone opposite Floyd that has to be accounted for. Landy has more quickness and flexibility than Davenport and more strength, explosiveness, and pass rushing experience than Edmunds. He has an excellent first step and hand usage and would be an immediate upgrade to the defense at a premium position.

Quenton Nelson, Roquan Smith, Marcus Davenport

 

[rawdawg]

Unless you are former GM Gil Brandt who has Nelson ranked 8th on his board and Edmunds 6th. Jeremiah has Nelson 3rd, Edmunds 6th which imo isn't enough to select a guard over Edmunds. Who knows how NFL teams actually have these guys graded, I love it when posters speak in absolutes. Also, Smith is best suited as a wlb in a Lovies defense in the Derrick Brooks mold.

Well considering this was my personal opinion, it doesn't fucking matter what everyone else's board looks like.

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[Luke]

Well considering this was my personal opinion, it doesn't fucking matter what everyone else's board looks like.

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well, I pay attention to professionals before your fucking opinion.

 

[rawdawg]

well, I pay attention to professionals before your fucking opinion.

The OP says "who are your top 3 and why". So if you don't care about my opinion, then you're the one doing it wrong.

And FYI, I do get paid to write about football, so technically I'm one of those professionals.

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[SugarWalls]

So Orlando Pace taken and projected #1 in '97 wasn't hyped up? Or did you just have to go back to '89 to find an oline bust?

Gabe carimi.

Would you get off this damn tirade already. It’s no more or less safe to just go offense with every pick. Any position can bust. Get your head out of your damn ass already.

 

[Visionman]

Not sure I can say all of the three names I have are considered first round material by many but I believe their play will justify the means in the end. Not based on any bias tied to wants/needs, hopes, positional weakness, media hype, or just vying to be right, & just flat out who do I believe are going to be among the best outstanding football players from this class & I do believe three of those players are:

OT - Mike McGlinchey (Reminds me so much of Tait as a player its almost scary)

ILB/OLB - Rashaad Evans ( IMO this kid has the brains & ability to be another Navorro Bowman if he keeps up the hard work)

WR - Christian Kirk (IMO this kid is going to light it up. Especially if this kid is used in a role like NE uses a slot WR as a primary target hes going to light it up)

Question: did McGlinchey make Nelson look better than he really is, or vise-versa?

We have the one guy on staff that knows for sure....

 

[Luke]

The OP says "who are your top 3 and why". So if you don't care about my opinion, then you're the one doing it wrong.

And FYI, I do get paid to write about football, so technically I'm one of those professionals.

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sorry about that reply, just woke up no coffee and crabby. Its nothing about your opinion. I just don't like the way Pace let Sitton go and would replace him with Nelson. It wasn't like Josh was falling off, he was still playing at a very high level. LG wouldn't be a need and they could plug another hole instead while drafting a guard later on and developing him to replace Josh in 2019.

 

[Fatman LOU]

Quentin Nelson- I'm a big "position value" guy, but assuming Barkley and Chubb are gone, this is a can't miss prospect at one of the 2 biggest needs for the Bears. If you like BPA, there's no chance he's not the best player on the board if he's there at 8, unless Barkley beats up his girlfriend this week, while smoking a bong on his knees during the national anthem.

Tremaine Edmunds- Another anti position value player. I think it's overblown how raw Edmunds is and understated how good he currently is at ILB, especially in coverage. Also plays a need position. A unique athlete. If the Bears miss out on Nelson, there will be other good guards that may even be better fits in the zone blocking scheme. Bears miss out on Chubb, there are other pass rushers who could get after the QB. There isn't another 6'5", 250lb LB with Edmunds' skill set (sorry, not a Vander Esch fan, and he'll be gone by 39 anyway). Throw in even a little potential on the edge, and he'd be tough to pass up.

Roquan Smith- Again, position value not there in the top 10. But he's a guy you can build a defense around ala Patrick Willis. There's no projection with him. What you see is what you're going to get. And what you get is a leader, who can fly around the field and be a tackling machine. Safer pick than Edmunds, though more limited upside. While Edmunds has a slight shot to help on the edge, and Nelson has a slight shot to be a tackle because he's so good, Smith is only going to help out in 1 area. But he will be very good in that area.

I'm pretty intrigued by Derwin James, who'd be my 4th. There's some that think he can play some corner. We know he can play in the box. He can play FS. With as much as the Bears play nickel, Fangio could move around James, Amos and Jackson between deep middle, slot, and rover. The back end of the D would be fast and versatile. James may have the most upside of any defensive player in this draft. If Fangio can figure out how to maximize him while not lessening Amos or Jackson's role, then the Bears could have a potential stud.

If Fangio can figure out how to maximize him while not lessening Amos or Jackson's role, then the Bears could have a potential stud.

And thats why i think Minkah will be the better fit, Because Minkah i believe has better pass cover skills and you can deploy him as a safety and have him in when you go to nickel and still play Prince,Fuller,Jackson and Amos.

 

[Visionman]

sorry about that reply, just woke up no coffee and crabby. Its nothing about your opinion. I just don't like the way Pace let Sitton go and would replace him with Nelson. It wasn't like Josh was falling off, he was still playing at a very high level. LG wouldn't be a need and they could plug another hole instead while drafting a guard later on and developing him to replace Josh in 2019.

That was most likely a Nagy decision. If the HC doesn't see Sitton as a fit for the new offense at all, why hold onto him? And who knows...maybe they see one of the guys already on the roster as a perfect fit to replace him...

 

[Da Coach]

Question: did McGlinchey make Nelson look better than he really is, or vise-versa?

We have the one guy on staff that knows for sure....

I think they made each other better by eating, sleeping, and shitting football together. Nelson is getting the hype but big Mike is being a bit overlooked. He's extremely versatile and could play any position on the line. He will go earlier than many think...

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[Luke]

That was most likely a Nagy decision. If the HC doesn't see Sitton as a fit for the new offense at all, why hold onto him? And who knows...maybe they see one of the guys already on the roster as a perfect fit to replace him...

that's what I'm hoping for. Maybe they think Harry can pull off a Houdini and transform one of their plethora of backup OL into a decent starter.