What Do You Want to Do About the OL?

[knoxville7]

Cooper Mays better be a Chicago Bear next season

Course, he doesnt have any lingering injuries so he might not be a good fit here

 

[nc0gnet0]

I'd focus on the IOL first and foremost. Ideally?

Trey Smith-4yrs/$100M-Gotta overpay to land elite free agents
Ryan Kelly-3yrs/$39M-He's aging, but he can stabilize the position while Stromberg gets back to form that got him drafted in the 3rd. This contract would effectively be a 2-yr deal.
Teven Jenkins-2yrs-$14M-He's lost all leverage with his constant injuries this season and should take anything he's offered. This will effectively be a 1-yr deal. This is an insurance policy in case the draft doesn't fall in our favor...

Donovan Jackson in Round 2. He can take over in 2025 when Jenkins inevitably gets injured. Maybe Jenkins lasts 2-3 weeks so Jackson doesn't need to be play right away, but I do think if needed he could.

Bryce Foster in Round 3. In case Stromberg doesn't progress from his injury Foster will be our center of the future.

IOL depth chart:

LG: Jenkins/Jackson
C: Kelly/Foster/Stromberg
RG: Smith

Jackson is already projecting to be the Lions draft pick in the 1st round.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Future bear

People laughed at Zach Frazier last year and made similar comments because of his injury. Now we have people that wish they had drafted him.

(And I wasn’t promoting him last year or this guy this year. I’m just pointing out just because a player got injured in college shouldn’t be an automatic disqualification)

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

I want to see an improvement to the interior OL with 2 investments.

I do not expect the first pick to be used on a tackle, and idk if the value of who is available lines up with where the bears will be picking.

I expect amegadjie to be given a chance to compete with Braxton next year as well.

I’d like to see poles use both 2nd round picks on guards or guard and a center. If the draft doesn’t look to be deep at IOL or for value to be there I’m hoping the bears sign 1 IOL, and draft 1. If Shelton keeps up current play he is worth keeping so poles can address other needs.

There seem to be based on early stuff a few tackle/guard prospects that are interesting. Meaning college tackles that may or not get moved in the NFL.

 

[SugarWalls]

There seem to be based on early stuff a few tackle/guard prospects that are interesting. Meaning college tackles that may or not get moved in the NFL.

I know next to nothing about this years class, the little I have heard suggests there are good DL at the top of the first. I’d be fine with poles addressing the DL in round 1 as long as he uses 2nd round pick(s) and some FA money to shore up the interior OL.

I’d like to see Pryor as a backup potentially, teven gone, bates as a back up, I’m open to keeping Shelton.

I’d be okay with Braxton and wright as starters with amegadjie potentially playing into starter role, borom as swing tackle.

IOL would be - 2nd rounder, Shelton, FA or 2nd rounder with depth of Pryor, bates, murray.

Alternatively could draft a center but my understanding is the class is bad. If shelton keeps up current play he should stay.

 

[msadows]

lol at some people expecting 3-4 FA's.

You'll get a 2nd round guard, cody shelton, braxton jones and a lower tier FA guard to compete with ryan bates.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

I know next to nothing about this years class, the little I have heard suggests there are good DL at the top of the first. I’d be fine with poles addressing the DL in round 1 as long as he uses 2nd round pick(s) and some FA money to shore up the interior OL.

I’d like to see Pryor as a backup potentially, teven gone, bates as a back up, I’m open to keeping Shelton.

I’d be okay with Braxton and wright as starters with amegadjie potentially playing into starter role, borom as swing tackle.

IOL would be - 2nd rounder, Shelton, FA or 2nd rounder with depth of Pryor, bates, murray.

Alternatively could draft a center but my understanding is the class is bad. If shelton keeps up current play he should stay.

Just going off Brugler’s top 50-70 guys DL and OL (except for center) look loaded. Sets up well for the Bears.

So expect a RB, Safety and WR.

 

[msadows]

Just going off Brugler’s top 50-70 guys DL and OL (except for center) look loaded. Sets up well for the Bears.

So expect a RB, Safety and WR.

We're trading up to draft a hybrid WR/CB according to remy

 

[SugarWalls]

Just going off Brugler’s top 50-70 guys DL and OL (except for center) look loaded. Sets up well for the Bears.

So expect a RB, Safety and WR.

Maybe they do draft a tackle to convert to guard in round 1 and then double dip DL in round 2.

I’d also be fine with this scenario if poles gets 1 interior OL in FA.

My concern would be trotting out essentially the same group of Braxton/bates/shelton/pryor/wright with the hopes that Murray or bates turn into a decent starter. Pryor is elite depth imo and bates is okay due to potentially being able to play center.

I’d feel way better about the line if they had 2 bullies on the inside to help Shelton out as he is undersized, and this would also help to mask braxton’s weakness of getting overpowered in the bull rush by creating a better pocket.

 

[hyatt151]

This year is all about salvaging Caleb—getting him good reps, getting back his confidence, figuring out the play sheets, and the new OC looks good. We're going to lose a lot of these games, but this week we almost beat GB (should have) and could easily be 6-4. So, what do we do about the OL in 2025?

FA—I would keep an eye out for veterans that can be an upgrade. We're not going to get an elite LT. But it might not be stupid to get a veteran Center, for example.

DRAFT—I say we go ALL OL. I'd take an elite LT with our 1st pick (assuming one is there) and then an elite Center with our first 2nd round pick (to learn behind the vet Center, or to start), and then an elite Guard with our 2nd 2nd.

I don't care what we do with the rest of our picks. Maybe Jones, Jenkins, and Wright stay and improve. Maybe Jones becomes depth. Jenkins I'm torn on. Wright I think we need to give time.

What do you want to do with the OL?

I think if we really address it, with serious moves, and the OC keeps this up, we can contend.

THOUGHTS?

this upcoming draft is strong with IOL, but weak regarding OT'S, and most of them look to be IOL at the pro level

 

[baselman1974]

I think Waldron play calling was the problem for the Oline looking as bad as it is. Morgan too.

this upcoming draft is strong with IOL, but weak regarding OT'S, and most of them look to be IOL at the pro level

bears need IOL the most. So that’s fine. Can’t fix everything Better coaches can scheme for deficiencies

 

[hyatt151]

Maybe they do draft a tackle to convert to guard in round 1 and then double dip DL in round 2.

I’d also be fine with this scenario if poles gets 1 interior OL in FA.

My concern would be trotting out essentially the same group of Braxton/bates/shelton/pryor/wright with the hopes that Murray or bates turn into a decent starter. Pryor is elite depth imo and bates is okay due to potentially being able to play center.

I’d feel way better about the line if they had 2 bullies on the inside to help Shelton out as he is undersized, and this would also help to mask braxton’s weakness of getting overpowered in the bull rush by creating a better pocket.

the interior defensive players look strong, but the edge position is somewhat weak in the upcoming draft IMHO

 

[hyatt151]

I think Waldron play calling was the problem for the Oline looking as bad as it is. Morgan too.

bears need IOL the most. So that’s fine. Can’t fix everything Better coaches can scheme for deficiencies

completely agree

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Maybe they do draft a tackle to convert to guard in round 1 and then double dip DL in round 2.

I’d also be fine with this scenario if poles gets 1 interior OL in FA.

My concern would be trotting out essentially the same group of Braxton/bates/shelton/pryor/wright with the hopes that Murray or bates turn into a decent starter. Pryor is elite depth imo and bates is okay due to potentially being able to play center.

I’d feel way better about the line if they had 2 bullies on the inside to help Shelton out as he is undersized, and this would also help to mask braxton’s weakness of getting overpowered in the bull rush by creating a better pocket.

I just want quality.

Dump a truck load of cash on Trey Smith

First three picks some combo of DL and OL.

As Tom Clancy said…. “Go for the Heavies”

 

[msadows]

Move darnell wright to RG, move braxton to RT. Draft Will Campbell(No clue if he's even good). Sign Ryan Kelly and re-sign Tev Jenk to compete with ryan bates.

Will Campbell
Tev Jenkum
Ryan Kelly
Darnell Wright
Braxton Jones

Re-sign Cole Sheldon to be the backup center

 

[knoxville7]

Move darnell wright to RG, move braxton to RT. Draft Will Campbell(No clue if he's even good). Sign Ryan Kelly and re-sign Tev Jenk to compete with ryan bates.

Will Campbell
Tev Jenkum
Ryan Kelly
Darnell Wright
Braxton Jones

Re-sign Cole Sheldon to be the backup center

I can tell you that the "great" LSU tackles Campbell and Jones have been giving up a lot of sacks this year. its a big part of why they are 6-4

 

[SugarWalls]

the interior defensive players look strong, but the edge position is somewhat weak in the upcoming draft IMHO

I literally don’t care about any of your opinions ever, so thx for whatever input this is but I won’t be reading it

 

[SugarWalls]

I just want quality.

Dump a truck load of cash on Trey Smith

First three picks some combo of DL and OL.

As Tom Clancy said…. “Go for the Heavies”

I am not getting my hopes up that poles will spend. Hopefully he signs 1 OL but I am not expecting him to do so. He hasn’t done it for OL or DL since coming here besides Nate Davis and of course trading for sweat and then giving him a deal.

 

[hyatt151]

I literally don’t care about any of your opinions ever, so thx for whatever input this is but I won’t be reading it

you apparently already did

 

[94c4lt1]

What you do is overpay for a FA OG that doesn’t want to practice or play, FA sign a fringe guard to play center (or collect a check on IR), and spend some 6-7 round picks on fliers for roster filling with OL.