Your Combine Crush?

[DB012031]

RBs-
Omarion Hampton
Kaleb Johnson
Quinshon Judkins
Cam Skattebo

WR-
Arian Smith (I expect him to be the fastest player in the draft, would be a fun WR3 in BJ offense)

TE-
Elijah Arroyo

DE-
Mike Green (Will be interested to see how his measurements and times compare to Von Miller and Robert Quinn)

Kyle Kennard

Swap Judkins with Treyveon Henderson from Ohio State and I like your RB list. Henderson is the better RB and has homerun speed that Judkins lacks.

 

[DB012031]

Yup! Josh Simmons probably would have been my pick if it weren't for the knee issue. We know how that will go just from our own recent history with pre injured OTs(Carimi/Jenkins).

If the Bears don't take Simmons he'll be the best OT from this class. If the Bears do take him he'll be injured by game 5 and have to come back as a Guard in 2026.

DT is a significant need and the prospects atop this class have the value to validate addressing that need.

Personally I believe that Walter Nolens ceiling is top end Quinnen Williams and Tyliek Williams reminds me of Eddie Goldman before the contract extension and covid. I'd be all over taking both with two of the first three picks.

I would love to see Nolen and Williams anchoring down the heart of the entire defensive scheme for the next 5+ years.

Simmons would have absolutely been the #1 Offensive Linemen off the board had he not torn the ACL. Personally, I would still take him because I think he is an all pro level tackle at either spot (LT or RT) and don't think twice. But again, all depends on how the Bears view Braxton Jones because Simmons moving inside would be a waste.

Also, IMO, the ACL doesn't bother me as much as it may others because ACL rehab these days so far superior to what it used to be. I know the Bears have a history of drafting "hurt" players but also remember many of those were because they drafted players that already had a chronic issue (Chris Williams and his back or Long and the shoulder). Give me a tear of the ACL over a chronic back issue any day of the week.

 

[bearsfan1977]

Ummm... Daniel Jeremiah had Newton as a 1st rounder on his big board and projected him to go number 21 to the dolphins in his final mock... And that was in an absolutely loaded draft. Claiming that Newton wasn't in the "same league" as Nolen is when you know you have gone a bit overboard with the Nolen hype.

PFF also had him listed as their #11 prospect.

Respect your opinion, we just disagree on the player evaluations. I thought Newton was overrated before the draft, and nothing has changed that opinion.

I could very well be wrong about Nolen. I just think he could be one of-if not the best-interior DL in this draft.

But hey, I would also be pleased if they took Simmons, who, if the medicals clear, could hold down the LT spot for the next 10 years.

 

[Washington]

If Poles drafts any position outside of OL and DL with his 1st 3 picks, he should be fired immediately. The game is won and lost in the trenches. Philly proved it once again. The Bears have arguably the worst OL in the league that can't run block or pass protect. The DL can't pressure the QB for shit either. Poles is an idiot for building the team from the outside in.

 

[DefNextYear]

If Poles drafts any position outside of OL and DL with his 1st 3 picks, he should be fired immediately. The game is won and lost in the trenches. Philly proved it once again. The Bears have arguably the worst OL in the league that can't run block or pass protect. The DL can't pressure the QB for shit either. Poles is an idiot for building the team from the outside in.

Depends on free agency... but I honestly would not be surprised if at least one of those top 3 picks is not a lineman. If he gets a couple big FA signings, he really doesn't need to draft only linemen either.

 

[Runruffshod75]

Let's take a quick comparison of supposed 2025 #10 pick

Walter Nolen
6'4 290
Best Season Stats:
6.5 Sacks, 14 TFL, 4 QB Hurries, 48 Tkls


versus...

2024 #36 Pick of the second round...

Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton
6'2 295
Best Season Stats: 5.5 Sacks, 13 TFL, 11 QB Hurries, 60 Tkls


Yes its just a very basic stats comparison, but they are definitely comparable players not just random stats from some no name player. The bigger point is Nolen isn't Jalen Carter, isn't worth giving up on Gervon Dexter, and finally there will be no need to blow your top if the Bears pass on him at #10.

That's because Walter Nolen was asked to move all over the defensive line for two different programs. He played every position on that Ole Miss defensive line and with the Aggies where Newton was able to play the 3 TECH position his entire collegiate career.

This draft class isn't as good as last years as a whole. It's not even close and it's not just the QBs, yet you still have to take what's there.

Let Nolen pin his ears back at the 3TECH position instead of moving him all over the line and his numbers will compare with anyone.

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

Will Johnson dropping to 10 would be interesting. Might be the best db in the draft. Prob give people heart attacks but he is prob only none trenches player I wouldn’t mind in first round

 

[playthrough2001]

If Poles drafts any position outside of OL and DL with his 1st 3 picks, he should be fired immediately. The game is won and lost in the trenches. Philly proved it once again. The Bears have arguably the worst OL in the league that can't run block or pass protect. The DL can't pressure the QB for shit either. Poles is an idiot for building the team from the outside in.

I’m with you but that definitely can change based on what they do in free agency. I think both free agency and the draft should be trenches first. If they kill it in free agency and with the first two picks, I’d be open to grabbing an excellent prospect that isn’t on the offensive or defensive line after that.

Especially if Emmanwori slides…

 

[HearshotKDS]

Will Johnson dropping to 10 would be interesting. Might be the best db in the draft. Prob give people heart attacks but he is prob only none trenches player I wouldn’t mind in first round

I would hope that would be a prime trade down scenario - some team would be willing to move up to take the best CB in the draft and the Bears cant afford to take a CB - it would come at the expense of one of their D/O lines regardless of how much of an upgrade Johnson is over Stevenson/Smith (and dont get me wrong he likely is a significant upgrade) in my opinion.

 

[Xplosive]

If Poles drafts any position outside of OL and DL with his 1st 3 picks, he should be fired immediately. The game is won and lost in the trenches. Philly proved it once again. The Bears have arguably the worst OL in the league that can't run block or pass protect. The DL can't pressure the QB for shit either. Poles is an idiot for building the team from the outside in.

Definitely an overboard statement until we see what they add in free agency. A pure guard prospect should not even be an option at #10.

A center is a not an option at #10. If they sign a DE in free agency they don't need to get one at #10. Considering that this draft has several good DT prospects, at minimum there should be a trade back prior to drafting one in round one.

 

[MadOne 77]

Madden has corrupted some of the posters rationale. A RB, or WR with the first three picks would be criminal. I've liked Pierce for a few years. But honestly, I don't see an Offensive lineman that warrants a top 10 . Give me Booker from Bama or Ratlidge from UG. In the second.

 

[Xplosive]

That's because Walter Nolen was asked to move all over the defensive line for two different programs. He played every position on that Ole Miss defensive line and with the Aggies where Newton was able to play the 3 TECH position his entire collegiate career.

This draft class isn't as good as last years as a whole. It's not even close and it's not just the QBs, yet you still have to take what's there.

Let Nolen pin his ears back at the 3TECH position instead of moving him all over the line and his numbers will compare with anyone.

I'm waiting for the scenario where the 2nd round pick and development time invested in Gervon Dexter stops mattering and it makes sense to bring in another 3Tech to come play most of the reps at the only position that it makes sense to play Dexter.

I can't wait to see if Nolen does the bench press so I can at least get an idea of his actual strength because all I see is twitchy but kind of pudgy kid that will need a few years to fully develop and settle into his role.

 

[Xplosive]

Madden has corrupted some of the posters rationale. A RB, or WR with the first three picks would be criminal. I've liked Pierce for a few years. But honestly, I don't see an Offensive lineman that warrants a top 10 . Give me Booker from Bama or Ratlidge from UG. In the second.

Perhaps old school meatball logic has corrupted the thought process of some fans that have tunnel vision.

You do know the Bears were the 32nd ranked offense in the NFL last season? They are also likely to lose their #3 offensive weapon off of that horrible offense.

Will adding another 3 Tech magically replace Keenan Allen? Can adding the highest paid Guard in the NFL and 3 more trench players somehow make the remaining offensive weapons on this team elite?

Nobody is saying don't add more players to the trenches, but how about not being total meatheads that can't see that adding another offensive weapon in the first or second round doesn't somehow mean they have committed an unforgivable crime either.

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

I would hope that would be a prime trade down scenario - some team would be willing to move up to take the best CB in the draft and the Bears cant afford to take a CB - it would come at the expense of one of their D/O lines regardless of how much of an upgrade Johnson is over Stevenson/Smith (and dont get me wrong he likely is a significant upgrade) in my opinion.

I agree I’m big fan of Pearce. But things change in a few months who knows what they do.

 

[Washington]

Depends on free agency... but I honestly would not be surprised if at least one of those top 3 picks is not a lineman. If he gets a couple big FA signings, he really doesn't need to draft only linemen either.

The team needs 3-4 new OL starters and 2 DL starters plus high end depth because of the rotation. I still contend all 3 picks need to be used on the lines.

 

[Washington]

Perhaps old school meatball logic has corrupted the thought process of some fans that have tunnel vision.

You do know the Bears were the 32nd ranked offense in the NFL last season? They are also likely to lose their #3 offensive weapon off of that horrible offense.

Will adding another 3 Tech magically replace Keenan Allen? Can adding the highest paid Guard in the NFL and 3 more trench players somehow make the remaining offensive weapons on this team elite?

Nobody is saying don't add more players to the trenches, but how about not being total meatheads that can't see that adding another offensive weapon in the first or second round doesn't somehow mean they have committed an unforgivable crime either.

The Bears had plenty of weapons last year. They could not run the football or throw it well because the OL was putrid at best. BJ knows the importance of a good OL. Unfortunately, Poles does not.

 

[DefNextYear]

The team needs 3-4 new OL starters and 2 DL starters plus high end depth because of the rotation. I still contend all 3 picks need to be used on the lines.

The team needs a lot of things. If they sign 3-4 linemen in free agency, there's no reason to say you need to use all 3 of the top 3 picks at the same position. If it falls that way cause the BPA is a lineman we can't pass on, fine... but it depends on who is on the board and what they've already added to the roster prior to that. My guess is that a RB will be a very likely pick with one of those top 3 picks. There's probably a chance of a safety too if the right person is there. I doubt they'll look at QB, WR, TE, or LB with these picks though... again, unless there's a can't pass player that falls there.

 

[Runruffshod75]

I'm waiting for the scenario where the 2nd round pick and development time invested in Gervon Dexter stops mattering and it makes sense to bring in another 3Tech to come play most of the reps at the only position that it makes sense to play Dexter.

I can't wait to see if Nolen does the bench press so I can at least get an idea of his actual strength because all I see is twitchy but kind of pudgy kid that will need a few years to fully develop and settle into his role.

View attachment 43919

If Nolen can come close to 30 reps with 27+ with a 40 time in the 4.9s, with good splits then I'm good and think he'll be fine.

If he cranks out 29-30+ reps with a a 40 in the 4.8s or lower, and good splits then I'm all in.

I've never been he'll bent on any combine drill as an indicator of a players talent whether it's a 40, split, cone drills or the bench press.

Yet the Bench Press is a usually a solid indicator of physical strength and overall work ethic. I'm usually fine is a player can fall within a status quo based on their position. Imo any ineman be it offensive linemen or interior defensive linemen should be able to put up at least 25 reps.

I start raising eyebrows at these drills when a player exceeds or falls below the norms. When any DT at 285 pounds or heavier runs a low 4.8 forty or then I'm definitely taking a closer look at that player. If that DT runs a sub 4.8 you'd be nuts not to be intrigued. For the most part though, any 1 GAP DT that runs a 40 that's in the 4.9s with good spits should be fine.

When a DT puts up 30 reps or more I definitely believe that should be taken serious. However if a DT puts up anywhere between 25-30 reps with excellent lower body strength then they should be fine. At the same time when a 300 pound NFL lineman has the upper body strength of a JV football player(Dexter/Pickens/Amegadjie) to me that's concerning.

I know there are plenty of acceptions to any norms or train of thought in a league with just under 1,700 players, yet people who claim the BP means nothing for certain positions are kidding themselves if they fail to grasp how any linemen with excellent upper body strength to work off from excellent lower body strength/anchor andna naturally low pad level has a significant one up on an opponent who is either or.

Seems like alot of Poles linemen either have the a$$ of a tank and the upper body punch of a rubber chicken or they can bench press a Cadillac and forgot there's a thing called squat day.

 

[Moses Moreno]

I haven't watched shit but I like how Mike Green was talked about during the Senior Bowl. Looking forward to seeing how he tests out.

 

[dabears70]

I absolutely like Nolen and think he will be a good player, I just don't see putting him in a time share with Dexter. I definitely don't see him as a no brainer pick that the Bears need to improve the defense, mainly because he doesn't do much to improve the run defense. It's a terrible use of draft capital to get another 3Tech with the #10 pick instead of filling an actual hole on the team such as Defensive End or even NT to replace Billings would make more sense.

Better than using the #10 pick on a 3rd WR.