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

[fleet]

The Bears got potential quality. But once you’ve decided to go pass catching TE instead of investing in the trenches, you may have needed to focus on getting more meat and potatoes. Burden becomes the luxury pick you couldn’t afford. I get it. But it’s pretty luxurious. I would have much rather had Mikel Williams/Burden than Loveland/Burden. Or, Loveland/trenches. Then at that point do whatever you’re gonna do with the #41. I understand trading down for Trapilo with Ersery right there. But now you have to be 100% correct about Trapilo, Ersery and Jones. Risky draft. Poles doesn’t like meat and potatoes diets..

[biggestbullsfan]

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[nomorezorro]

The Bears got potential quality. But once you’ve decided to go pass catching TE instead of investing in the trenches, you needed to focus on getting more meat and potatoes. Burden becomes the luxury pick you couldn’t afford. I get it. But it’s wrongheaded. I would have much rather had Mikel Williams/Burden. Then do whatever you’re gonna do with the #41. I understand trading down for Trapilo. But now you have to be 100% correct about Trapilo, Ersery and Jones. Risky draft. Poles doesn’t like meat and potatoes diets..

1. you aren't drafting positions; you're drafting specific prospects. if the bears didn't think mykel williams was a particularly good prospect, they're not going to take him just because DL is a bigger need than TE.
2. in the past 3 drafts, ryan poles has used one 1st-round pick, four 2nds and two 3rds to acquire offensive and defensive linemen.

[Dresden]

The Bears got potential quality. But once you’ve decided to go pass catching TE instead of investing in the trenches, you needed to focus on getting more meat and potatoes. Burden becomes the luxury pick you couldn’t afford. I get it. But it’s pretty luxurious. I would have much rather had Mikel Williams/Burden than Loveland/Burden. Or, Loveland/trenches. Then at that point do whatever you’re gonna do with the #41. I understand trading down for Trapilo with Ersery right there. But now you have to be 100% correct about Trapilo, Ersery and Jones. Risky draft. Poles doesn’t like meat and potatoes diets..

I don't know how you can say that about Poles. Look what we did in FA- 3 starting O lineman, 2 starting D linemen. And then another of each in the second round of the draft. Aren't you the one saying the Bears needed more blue chip players? They got two in Loveland and Burden. It just so happened those came at skill positions instead of the trenches.

[fleet]

The Bears got potential quality. But once you’ve decided to go pass catching TE instead of investing in the trenches, you needed to focus on getting more meat and potatoes. Burden becomes the luxury pick you couldn’t afford. I get it. But it’s wrongheaded. I would have much rather had Mikel Williams/Burden. Then do whatever you’re gonna do with the #41. I understand trading down for Trapilo. But now you have to be 100% correct about Trapilo, Ersery and Jones. Risky draft. Poles doesn’t like meat and potatoes diets..

1. you aren't drafting positions; you're drafting specific prospects. if the bears didn't think mykel williams was a particularly good prospect, they're not going to take him just because DL is a bigger need than TE.
2. in the past 3 drafts, ryan poles has used one 1st-round pick, four 2nds and two 3rds to acquire offensive and defensive linemen.

I agree it depends on the grades they have on prospects. But I have a feeling Poles just did what he wanted to do, which was to appease his shiny new coach he just hired, and give him all the toys. 2 things I believe. Aside from the approach which was questionable imo…1, that Poles was outmaneuvered in this draft, see the running backs situation for example. And 2, BJ bossed him around and Poles wasn’t able or willing to stand up. Of course, it’s also possible that Poles and BJ are in lockstep.

[jnrjr79]

The Bears got potential quality. But once you’ve decided to go pass catching TE instead of investing in the trenches, you needed to focus on getting more meat and potatoes. Burden becomes the luxury pick you couldn’t afford. I get it. But it’s wrongheaded. I would have much rather had Mikel Williams/Burden. Then do whatever you’re gonna do with the #41. I understand trading down for Trapilo. But now you have to be 100% correct about Trapilo, Ersery and Jones. Risky draft. Poles doesn’t like meat and potatoes diets..

1. you aren't drafting positions; you're drafting specific prospects. if the bears didn't think mykel williams was a particularly good prospect, they're not going to take him just because DL is a bigger need than TE.
2. in the past 3 drafts, ryan poles has used one 1st-round pick, four 2nds and two 3rds to acquire offensive and defensive linemen.

I agree it depends on the grades they have on prospects. But I have a feeling Poles just did what he wanted to do, which was to appease his shiny new coach he just hired, and give him all the toys. 2 things I believe. Aside from the approach which was questionable imo…1, that Poles was outmaneuvered in this draft, see the running backs situation for example. And 2, BJ bossed him around and Poles wasn’t able or willing to stand up. Of course, it’s also possible that Poles and BJ are in lockstep.

I'm personally glad that the Bears seemed to more or less stick with their draft board rather than reach on guys.

I also don't totally agree with the "all the toys" for Ben Johnson argument. If that's really what was going on here, they would have traded up for an RB rather than been patient and traded back when RBs got scooped up.

[nomorezorro]

the first thing he did for his "shiny new coach" was to acquire three new starting offensive linemen who are earning more than $40 million this season. he also signed two defensive linemen for $30+ million. how could you possibly think he was browbeat out of investing resources into linemen

[nomorezorro]

you can just say you don't like some moves without making up some grander reason the FO decided to make them. i love loveland and burden as prospects, and i still don't really like going with two pass catchers in the first two rounds, because i'm skeptical the bears will be able to maximize the investments they've made at WR and TE over the past few seasons.

that doesn't mean they picked loveland/burden (or odunze, or paid moore) because they don't care about other positions. there's an understandable rationale for adding all those players; i just don't personally agree with the approach!

[molepharmer]

Most people expected the Bears to draft a WR this year, and likely one within their first four picks. So I'm a bit surprised by some of the negativity w.r.t. Burden. Bears only have Scott, Odunze and Moore signed for 2026. They needed to replenish the pool and 'good' WRs on a rookie contracts isn't exactly a luxury. Had enough with the signing cheap free agent WRs just to fill a position of need.

b.t.w. - Poles was on ESPN 1000 this morning for about 15-20 min. Needless to say, he likes everything about where they sit right now and is looking to add talent to increase competition at practice [nothing surprising here]. The one thing he seemed genuine about was how, in comparison to last year, he liked that this year they would be an actively attacking team on defense and offense. Specifically mentioned Sweat was working extra hard this off season and that ~99% of the team was on site.

[fleet]

you can just say you don't like some moves without making up some grander reason the FO decided to make them. i love loveland and burden as prospects, and i still don't really like going with two pass catchers in the first two rounds, because i'm skeptical the bears will be able to maximize the investments they've made at WR and TE over the past few seasons.

that doesn't mean they picked loveland/burden (or odunze, or paid moore) because they don't care about other positions. there's an understandable rationale for adding all those players; i just don't personally agree with the approach!

I mean, I specifically said it’s possible Poles and BJ are in lockstep. It doesn’t have to be emotional that other people having an opinion about something and questioning them personally. Just disagree, tell me why I’m wrong.

[fleet]

1. you aren't drafting positions; you're drafting specific prospects. if the bears didn't think mykel williams was a particularly good prospect, they're not going to take him just because DL is a bigger need than TE.
2. in the past 3 drafts, ryan poles has used one 1st-round pick, four 2nds and two 3rds to acquire offensive and defensive linemen.

I agree it depends on the grades they have on prospects. But I have a feeling Poles just did what he wanted to do, which was to appease his shiny new coach he just hired, and give him all the toys. 2 things I believe. Aside from the approach which was questionable imo…1, that Poles was outmaneuvered in this draft, see the running backs situation for example. And 2, BJ bossed him around and Poles wasn’t able or willing to stand up. Of course, it’s also possible that Poles and BJ are in lockstep.

I'm personally glad that the Bears seemed to more or less stick with their draft board rather than reach on guys.

I also don't totally agree with the "all the toys" for Ben Johnson argument. If that's really what was going on here, they would have traded up for an RB rather than been patient and traded back when RBs got scooped up.

I don’t mind sticking to your board. However being so rigid about it where it takes you away from drafting draftable players at certain positions like running backs and then you are drafting UDFA type linebackers and 25 year old traits projection players, it may not have served Poles well. Even Ben Johnson said he never before saw a GM be so “disciplined”. This is obviously because GMs at some point often have to depart from their board to be practical. Of course, these players and the 7th rounder may very well make Poles look very good in the long run. Landon Jackson Mykel Williams etc certainly can bust. And Ersery may not be as good as Ozzy. Poles will either be borne out in his decisions or not.

[fleet]

Poles doused the Darnell Wright to LT fire. For now

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[jnrjr79]

I agree it depends on the grades they have on prospects. But I have a feeling Poles just did what he wanted to do, which was to appease his shiny new coach he just hired, and give him all the toys. 2 things I believe. Aside from the approach which was questionable imo…1, that Poles was outmaneuvered in this draft, see the running backs situation for example. And 2, BJ bossed him around and Poles wasn’t able or willing to stand up. Of course, it’s also possible that Poles and BJ are in lockstep.

I'm personally glad that the Bears seemed to more or less stick with their draft board rather than reach on guys.

I also don't totally agree with the "all the toys" for Ben Johnson argument. If that's really what was going on here, they would have traded up for an RB rather than been patient and traded back when RBs got scooped up.

I don’t mind sticking to your board. However being so rigid about it where it takes you away from drafting draftable players at certain positions like running backs and then you are drafting UDFA type linebackers and 25 year old traits projection players, it may not have served Poles well. Even Ben Johnson said he never before saw a GM be so “disciplined”. This is obviously because GMs at some point have to depart from their board to be practical. Of course, these players and the 7th rounder may very well make Poles look very good in the long run. And Ersery may not be as good as Ozzy. Poles will either be borne out in his decisions or not.

I’ve read that Ersey is not a good fit for what Ben Johnson wants from his line, so it wasn’t a surprise they didn’t go for that.

I agree the LB pick was the one oddball.

The only thing the Bears appeared to want and not go after in the draft was RB, which is funny b/c the idea that RB is some huge position of need is basically fiction given the current roster. Don’t get me wrong, they could absolutely upgrade on a between-the-tackles guy, but it’s a sign of how much work was done in free agency that anyone was even talking about this. And it seems they may have a decent RB on their hands with the guy they picked in the 7th. It’s also not that hard to find serviceable guys on the scrap heap. If this is the biggest disappointment re: the draft, then I feel good about it.

[jnrjr79]

Poles doused the Darnell Wright to LT fire. For now

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And I think that makes sense. Might as well see whether the guy who played a good bit of LT in college is a fit there before making Wright switch positions.

[Dresden]

The 6th round pick of ours played LT for 2 or 3 years at Holy Cross before moving to MI St. and playing guard there. But it sounds like he's more suited to be an interior player, and in fact has some real weaknesses in his game, so it might be a long shot to expect too much from him.

[jnrjr79]

The 6th round pick of ours played LT for 2 or 3 years at Holy Cross before moving to MI St. and playing guard there. But it sounds like he's more suited to be an interior player, and in fact has some real weaknesses in his game, so it might be a long shot to expect too much from him.

Maybe I’ve just missed it, but I haven’t seen anyone suggest that Ozzy projects to kick inside. He’s a 2nd pick and 6’ 8’’, which suggests he’s viewed as a potential long-term starter at tackle.

[Chi town]

The Bears got potential quality. But once you’ve decided to go pass catching TE instead of investing in the trenches, you needed to focus on getting more meat and potatoes. Burden becomes the luxury pick you couldn’t afford. I get it. But it’s wrongheaded. I would have much rather had Mikel Williams/Burden. Then do whatever you’re gonna do with the #41. I understand trading down for Trapilo. But now you have to be 100% correct about Trapilo, Ersery and Jones. Risky draft. Poles doesn’t like meat and potatoes diets..

1. you aren't drafting positions; you're drafting specific prospects. if the bears didn't think mykel williams was a particularly good prospect, they're not going to take him just because DL is a bigger need than TE.
2. in the past 3 drafts, ryan poles has used one 1st-round pick, four 2nds and two 3rds to acquire offensive and defensive linemen.

And a ridiculous amount of money in FA.

Poles has invested plenty. A bunch of his investments have just sucked. Pickens, Bates, Shelton, Patrick etc.

I trust Ben knows what he is doing.

They wanted a RB and refused to overpay.

[Chi town]

The 6th round pick of ours played LT for 2 or 3 years at Holy Cross before moving to MI St. and playing guard there. But it sounds like he's more suited to be an interior player, and in fact has some real weaknesses in his game, so it might be a long shot to expect too much from him.

Maybe I’ve just missed it, but I haven’t seen anyone suggest that Ozzy projects to kick inside. He’s a 2nd pick and 6’ 8’’, which suggests he’s viewed as a potential long-term starter at tackle.

He’s talking about the MSU kid. Not Ozzy.

The MSU kid has a crazy high RAS score. Top shelf athlete.

[jnrjr79]

The 6th round pick of ours played LT for 2 or 3 years at Holy Cross before moving to MI St. and playing guard there. But it sounds like he's more suited to be an interior player, and in fact has some real weaknesses in his game, so it might be a long shot to expect too much from him.

Maybe I’ve just missed it, but I haven’t seen anyone suggest that Ozzy projects to kick inside. He’s a 2nd pick and 6’ 8’’, which suggests he’s viewed as a potential long-term starter at tackle.

He’s talking about the MSU kid. Not Ozzy.

The MSU kid has a crazy high RAS score. Top shelf athlete.

Gotcha

[dice]

The Bears got potential quality. But once you’ve decided to go pass catching TE instead of investing in the trenches, you needed to focus on getting more meat and potatoes. Burden becomes the luxury pick you couldn’t afford. I get it. But it’s wrongheaded. I would have much rather had Mikel Williams/Burden. Then do whatever you’re gonna do with the #41. I understand trading down for Trapilo. But now you have to be 100% correct about Trapilo, Ersery and Jones. Risky draft. Poles doesn’t like meat and potatoes diets..

1. you aren't drafting positions; you're drafting specific prospects. if the bears didn't think mykel williams was a particularly good prospect, they're not going to take him just because DL is a bigger need than TE.
2. in the past 3 drafts, ryan poles has used one 1st-round pick, four 2nds and two 3rds to acquire offensive and defensive linemen.

I agree it depends on the grades they have on prospects. But I have a feeling Poles just did what he wanted to do, which was to appease his shiny new coach he just hired, and give him all the toys. 2 things I believe. Aside from the approach which was questionable imo…1, that Poles was outmaneuvered in this draft, see the running backs situation for example. And 2, BJ bossed him around and Poles wasn’t able or willing to stand up. Of course, it’s also possible that Poles and BJ are in lockstep.

certainly no reason to believe poles was outmaneuvered on RB

-judkins and henderson were taken in 2 of the 3 picks before the bears took burden. and not by a team trading to get into those slots. neither player fell from where they were expected to be drafted either. judkins was taken surprisingly high

-they obviously felt rd. 2 was too early for kaleb johnson

-skattebo was gone by the 4th rd. pick and they didn't particularly like the remaining prospects