Bears 11.0: Free Agency, College Pro days, Draft & beyond

[jnrjr79]

I certainly would be excited about a Warren/Henderson draft, but I take issue with the idea that "we need a TE". We have Kmet, who was grossly underutilized last year. How badly do we need a second one?

We definitely need a te, even if it’s not a first round te. We don’t have a TE2

Sure, we need a TE2 but how important is that? I think a backup O lineman will see a lot more action and make more of an impact. Especially if we can get somebody that can play 3-4 positions on the line. Look at all the injuries we had last year- Braxton missed half the season, Teven was out a lot, Nate Davis and Bates missed practically the whole year, I think even Wright missed a few games. So there will be plenty of playing opportunity for someone who can fill in all along the line.

OTH, if Warren is really the BPA when we pick, I don't have a big problem with that either. I hope Jeanty would make it to us though, if we're going for a skill position player. But I've been reading the Raiders might take him at 6.

Theoretically Durham Smythe is your TE2, but he's more of a blocker than a pass-catcher, so you could/would probably add one more, I'd guess.

[nomorezorro]

the #2 TE in detroit's offense had 13 catches each of the last two years and was targeted less than once per game, so having two good pass catchers at the position is clearly not essential for ben johnson

[fleet]

I really feel like Kmet can be dominant in this offense if he and Caleb find some better chemistry in a good system. I'm not sure Warren would be the best use of a top 10 pick. I admit I didn't watch a ton of him this year, but do we really think his addition would be that
much more impactful than what Kmet can bring?

What are the chances kmet could be traded for a 1st or 2nd rounder? That way the pick of Warren doesn't feel like that much of a waste.

Probably closer to 3rd or 4th unfortunately.

Not that Kmet is necessarily overpaid assuming prior to last year’s production, but if I could get a 3rd or 4th, and unload Kmet’s money and draft Warren, I’m doing that all day long.

[Betta Bulleavit]

He had to pay JJ at the time he did, and it was market value. That doesn’t make you ahead of the curve. If it does, all GMs are ahead of the curve that paid anybody the last few years. The Sweat deal was a more than fair deal for Sweat, but these markets move on with a rising cap. The Edmunds deal was manuro.

You should ask the Bengals about what it means to be ahead of the curve. They are paying 69M a year for two receivers that they failed to get ahead of the curve on. Poles could have franchised JJ instead of signing him long term. But where would that have left us?

What earthly reason would there be to franchise JJ?

None really. I’m just saying that the option was there to do so. And had they, they would have been negotiating a different kind of contract with a different market (like the CB market that we’re seeing now). So getting him on his current deal looks much better than the alternate scenario.

When you look at what the Bengals are having to pay to keep two guys that they always wanted to keep (apparently) they are essentially paying a 20% premium because they waited/franchised.

[biggestbullsfan]

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With this logic, Tyler Warren is a must draft at 10. He’s probably one of the best in the whole draft.

[Dresden]

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With this logic, Tyler Warren is a must draft at 10. He’s probably one of the best in the whole draft.

The question is, how important is the TE position, especially given we already have one that is pretty good.

And I think it's unrealistic to think we'd get a "home run" type player at 10 at any key position- there's only a few of those in each draft, and they go top 4-5. So at 10, we're going to be taking the 2nd best at their position, unless it's a position like safety or TE or RB.

I think there are several tackles that could be available that you could make a pretty good case for, and several Edge's as well. In the end, it's probably going to come down to whichever particular player Poles/BJ fall in love with. I could see that being Jeanty, or Will Campbell, or Mykal Williams/Jalon Walker, or Tyler Warren. As Poles said, what they'd done so far has "opened up the whole board" for them, so they can afford to just take the best player they see.

[biggestbullsfan]

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With this logic, Tyler Warren is a must draft at 10. He’s probably one of the best in the whole draft.

The question is, how important is the TE position, especially given we already have one that is pretty good.

And I think it's unrealistic to think we'd get a "home run" type player at 10 at any key position- there's only a few of those in each draft, and they go top 4-5. So at 10, we're going to be taking the 2nd best at their position, unless it's a position like safety or TE or RB.

I think there are several tackles that could be available that you could make a pretty good case for, and several Edge's as well. In the end, it's probably going to come down to whichever particular player Poles/BJ fall in love with. I could see that being Jeanty, or Will Campbell, or Mykal Williams/Jalon Walker, or Tyler Warren. As Poles said, what they'd done so far has "opened up the whole board" for them, so they can afford to just take the best player they see.

Well for Johnson’s offense, he ran a lot of two TE sets. And it could also assist with blocking if we don’t want to take an OL that early. All the top OL have warts. Might find some decent DL depth deeper in the draft though.

[Almost Retired]

If Jeanty is there at #10 you take him and give thanks. But he has to get past the Raiders at #6. And I would not give up any Draft capital to move up. There are other good RBs that fit our needs we can get in the 2nd or 3rd round. Outside of Jeanty I think Warren has the Pro-bowl level talent that you just take and figure out a way to utilize him effectively. With his versatility, throwing ability, and elite athleticism I'm sure Ben Johnson would figure out ways for him to help our offense significantly.

I would not be taking an O-Lineman at #10 except Membou. Even knowing he probably wouldn't start. He can be developed for backing up LT or a guard position. Shemar Stewart is also a guy I'd take a chance on at #10. Off the charts athleticism. He could rotate at EDGE so we have fresh legs going after the QB at all times.

If those options aren't on the board then I'd trade down to get more picks. A drop to #16 may still get us Emmanworoi. If we drop lower we'd be able to get a multipurpose O-Lineman like Gray Zabel later in the 1st round. From the mocks I've seen he's not going to last until the 2nd round. And with the extra Day 2 pick(s) we can get more O-Line depth with someone like Donovan Jackson, D-Line Depth like Tyliek Williams, Alfred Collins or Deone Walker, and a RB like Quinshon Jenkins or Kaleb Johnson. In the 3rd round take a slot WR like Restrepo.

[Betta Bulleavit]

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With this logic, Tyler Warren is a must draft at 10. He’s probably one of the best in the whole draft.

The question is, how important is the TE position, especially given we already have one that is pretty good.

And I think it's unrealistic to think we'd get a "home run" type player at 10 at any key position- there's only a few of those in each draft, and they go top 4-5. So at 10, we're going to be taking the 2nd best at their position, unless it's a position like safety or TE or RB.

I think there are several tackles that could be available that you could make a pretty good case for, and several Edge's as well. In the end, it's probably going to come down to whichever particular player Poles/BJ fall in love with. I could see that being Jeanty, or Will Campbell, or Mykal Williams/Jalon Walker, or Tyler Warren. As Poles said, what they'd done so far has "opened up the whole board" for them, so they can afford to just take the best player they see.

Well for Johnson’s offense, he ran a lot of two TE sets. And it could also assist with blocking if we don’t want to take an OL that early. All the top OL have warts. Might find some decent DL depth deeper in the draft though.

This! BJ ran a lot of 12 personnel sets in Detroit and I expect for that to be a staple here. So (in my opinion at least) drafting the best TE in the draft is certainly on the table.

[Mindcrime]

We could always get Gunnar Helm a.k.a. Cole Kmeth Lite in the 3rd.

[CROBulls]

You take either Jeanty or Warren. Jeanty if he is past Raiders, if not Warren and you likely have Pro Bowler regardless. People are struggling like we have no choice and no talent is available. There is.

[nomorezorro]

tet mcmillan ran a sub-4.5 40 today, so hopefully that solidifies his place in the top 10

[1985Bear]

Still time to decide on pick 10 but not many deck chairs left on this 53 man roster.

RB or TE at 10 for this Bears team, seems like a poor use of a top 10 pick. For me, there is a path for Mason Graham to fall to 10 and if he does, just draft him. Him next Grady Jarrett and we have an engine to our d for years.

LT is the 2nd most important position after QB and we are not set there.
Will Campbell & Kelvin Banks are must draft players at 10 right after Graham. Positional value of having both Tackles on rookie deals would be an amazing way to build going forward. I’m confident both would compete and beat Braxton out for the starting job.

At 10:
Graham
Campbell
Banks

Doubt a trade back is realistic. If those 3 are gone and have to pick at 10, I’m looking at:

Pass Rusher, but feel there will be edge guys at 39 & 41. Tet McMillan or a top CB isn’t crazy if you don’t like an edge rusher.

I do believe in a “Dice” model of drafting only players of positional value in top 3 rounds:
QB, LT, DE, CB, WR, DT. These positions are the most important on the field and cost by far the most to buy in Free Agency. Keep drafting these spots until you have a pro bowler.

RB, LB, S, TE, G - none of these should be drafted at 10, ever - unless you are already an elite playoff team since you can get very good players for reasonable FA contracts.

I love Jeanty, and hear good things on Warren(Not close to Bowers), but no way I’m taking that at 10. I like RBs/TEs that could be just as effective for Bears at pick 72: Fannin, Arroyo, Taylor or Judkins, C Johnson, Skateboo, Sampson.


Note: I am like “ Dice” for top 3 rounds but opposite of Dice in rounds 4-7 since they have such a low success rate. I’ll trade any 4-7 round pick for 1 year of starter level production.

2013-2024:
44- WRs Drafted in 4th round: 2 were any good (Amon Ra and Gabe Davis)
158 WRs Drafted in rounds 5-7: 7 were any good. (Puka, Watson, Mooney, Diggs, Tyreke, Renfrow)

So if the Chiefs take a WR with the 4th round pick we sent for Thuney, Dice only sees Amon Ra and I see a 4% chance at Amon.


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[nomorezorro]

i think graham is the only person i would "love" at 10 but there's a really long list of people i could talk myself into.

williams or stewart? sure, might as well take a swing on a talented EDGE! nolen or harmon? look like they could be really disruptive DTs, hard to take issue with that. simmons or membou? i know there are question marks, but if the team is comfortable taking them at 10, they must be pretty confident about their ability to play at LT! jeanty or warren? don't love the positional value, but there's no questioning the talent and i imagine johnson has a clear vision for how he's going to use them, so let's go with it.

and honestly there are a decent number of guys outside of the "obvious candidates" who i'd be willing to consider. kenneth grant! nick emmanwori! malaki starks! will johnson! colston loveland! when the draft is this bereft of top talent but loaded with "pretty good" talent, you really can justify going in just about any direction.

(except drafting tyler booker at 10. don't pick a super unathletic guard at 10.)

[El Ridda]

tet mcmillan ran a sub-4.5 40 today, so hopefully that solidifies his place in the top 10

OR... if he falls to 10 could be someone other teams would be willing to trade up for which would be great for the Bears.

[Dresden]

Free agency grades: Bears got 4 A's, one A-, and one B+:

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/article/bears-2025-free-agency-experts-122315157.html

[Jvaughn]

What are the chances kmet could be traded for a 1st or 2nd rounder? That way the pick of Warren doesn't feel like that much of a waste.

Probably closer to 3rd or 4th unfortunately.

Not that Kmet is necessarily overpaid assuming prior to last year’s production, but if I could get a 3rd or 4th, and unload Kmet’s money and draft Warren, I’m doing that all day long.

Wow, you're that high on Warren? Like I said, I didn't see much of him this year, so I'll defer to your opinion. How close to Bowers impact would you expect from him?

[Dresden]

i think graham is the only person i would "love" at 10 but there's a really long list of people i could talk myself into.

williams or stewart? sure, might as well take a swing on a talented EDGE! nolen or harmon? look like they could be really disruptive DTs, hard to take issue with that. simmons or membou? i know there are question marks, but if the team is comfortable taking them at 10, they must be pretty confident about their ability to play at LT! jeanty or warren? don't love the positional value, but there's no questioning the talent and i imagine johnson has a clear vision for how he's going to use them, so let's go with it.

and honestly there are a decent number of guys outside of the "obvious candidates" who i'd be willing to consider. kenneth grant! nick emmanwori! malaki starks! will johnson! colston loveland! when the draft is this bereft of top talent but loaded with "pretty good" talent, you really can justify going in just about any direction.

(except drafting tyler booker at 10. don't pick a super unathletic guard at 10.)

I agree that they are going to look at a lot of players. And then chose the best one based on overall talent, fit, and need and just who they like. They might surprise some people.

[Dresden]

Still time to decide on pick 10 but not many deck chairs left on this 53 man roster.

RB or TE at 10 for this Bears team, seems like a poor use of a top 10 pick. For me, there is a path for Mason Graham to fall to 10 and if he does, just draft him. Him next Grady Jarrett and we have an engine to our d for years.

LT is the 2nd most important position after QB and we are not set there.
Will Campbell & Kelvin Banks are must draft players at 10 right after Graham. Positional value of having both Tackles on rookie deals would be an amazing way to build going forward. I’m confident both would compete and beat Braxton out for the starting job.

At 10:
Graham
Campbell
Banks

Doubt a trade back is realistic. If those 3 are gone and have to pick at 10, I’m looking at:

Pass Rusher, but feel there will be edge guys at 39 & 41. Tet McMillan or a top CB isn’t crazy if you don’t like an edge rusher.

I do believe in a “Dice” model of drafting only players of positional value in top 3 rounds:
QB, LT, DE, CB, WR, DT. These positions are the most important on the field and cost by far the most to buy in Free Agency. Keep drafting these spots until you have a pro bowler.

RB, LB, S, TE, G - none of these should be drafted at 10, ever - unless you are already an elite playoff team since you can get very good players for reasonable FA contracts.

I love Jeanty, and hear good things on Warren(Not close to Bowers), but no way I’m taking that at 10. I like RBs/TEs that could be just as effective for Bears at pick 72: Fannin, Arroyo, Taylor or Judkins, C Johnson, Skateboo, Sampson.


Note: I am like “ Dice” for top 3 rounds but opposite of Dice in rounds 4-7 since they have such a low success rate. I’ll trade any 4-7 round pick for 1 year of starter level production.

2013-2024:
44- WRs Drafted in 4th round: 2 were any good (Amon Ra and Gabe Davis)
158 WRs Drafted in rounds 5-7: 7 were any good. (Puka, Watson, Mooney, Diggs, Tyreke, Renfrow)

So if the Chiefs take a WR with the 4th round pick we sent for Thuney, Dice only sees Amon Ra and I see a 4% chance at Amon.


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I don't quite get the "not taking a RB in the first three rounds" rule. It seems like a really good RB can be just as impactful as just about any other position other than QB. I understand that RB's don't get 20-25 carries a game anymore, but between passing, rushing, and pass blocking, they seem to be involved in almost every offensive snap. And a top all-purpose back could get 1300-1800 yards a season, as much as a WR.

I'd like to see a stat about where the top RB's in the league were taken in the draft. The prevailing wisdom seems to be that you can take a RB just about anywhere in the draft and it doesn't matter all that much. Maybe that's true. I know in the past, the Bears have had some pretty big duds in the first round at RB. But we've had dud WR's, Edges, QB's and OT's too. We've also used some mid round picks on guys like Roschon and Travis Ebner who have been duds, too.

The one reason I think might weigh against taking a RB that high is how short their careers tend to be. It's rare they are still at the top of their game after their first contract.

[dice]

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With this logic, Tyler Warren is a must draft at 10. He’s probably one of the best in the whole draft.

jeanty is considered the better prospect, but his position is also more devalued

by the same token, warren and mcmillan are similar caliber prospects, w/ WR the more valued position. and we don't yet know if odunze is that good