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

[patryk7754]

I'm excited, and I think Poles did the main thing I wanted which was to free us up in the draft so we can react to who is falling or what is available. I am kind of worried to hear that Graham is small for the way the position is going as that was one guy I was hoping would be a good pick up if he fell but I actually agree there I do want size in the lines. OT all have short arms except the one guy with the significant sounding injury and picking a guard there seems kind of a waste since we have 2 second round picks which is prime guard area of the draft. I watched Stewart tape and he looked good but people have pointed out that he's still pretty raw but it's after 3 years he shouldn't be as much of a project he should be pretty polished at this point. Maybe I'm missing something I did like the video but that is kind of concerning.

I don't think I'm sold on any of the top guys being a LT. I just don't see any of them be a cornerstone LT. Banks out of Texas seems to be the most likely candidate for that, to me. And even heard things about him possibly being a better fit at OG. Simmons out of ohio st is my favorite OT, but he has some bad injury concerns. I'd draft him in the second in a heart beat. But, I wonder if it would be better to just trade for a LT. Someone like Armstead from the dolphins could be "easy' to get. They could use some cap relief and if we package Braxton with a mid round pick, they still get a starting caliber LT while adding a decent pick. For the right LT, i'd be willing to trade our 1st (after a trade back). I would imagine we could get a top 10-ish LT for the 20ish pick and Jones. And if it's an older guy (wouldn't trade a 1st for an older guy) we could still draft out LT of the future in the second

[patryk7754]

The one hesitation with Treyveon is his injury history. If it weren't for that I think he'd be the second back chosen, and maybe in the first round. If his medicals check out, I'd be happy to get him in the second or third round.

Cam Skatterboo is another interesting prospect. He's hard to peg. Doesn't have elite speed, but he had more long runs that just about anybody this year I believe. So he's got a knack for getting big chunks of yards. He's likely to be there in the 3rd round.

I don't think Skatteboo is hard to beg. He's Monty if he could a top notch pass catcher. I thought maybe I was over hyped on him because of his performance in the playoffs, but I watched like a 20min highlight video of his 2024 season and he dominated. If he was a tick faster, he'd be considered the top RB, I think.

Elite power run, elite blocker, great pass catcher, and you can even do some trick plays. Really the only knock on him is his speed.

[Dresden]

The one hesitation with Treyveon is his injury history. If it weren't for that I think he'd be the second back chosen, and maybe in the first round. If his medicals check out, I'd be happy to get him in the second or third round.

Cam Skatterboo is another interesting prospect. He's hard to peg. Doesn't have elite speed, but he had more long runs that just about anybody this year I believe. So he's got a knack for getting big chunks of yards. He's likely to be there in the 3rd round.

I don't think Skatteboo is hard to beg. He's Monty if he could a top notch pass catcher. I thought maybe I was over hyped on him because of his performance in the playoffs, but I watched like a 20min highlight video of his 2024 season and he dominated. If he was a tick faster, he'd be considered the top RB, I think.

Elite power run, elite blocker, great pass catcher, and you can even do some trick plays. Really the only knock on him is his speed.

I think he might be a better runner than Monty. But the reason he's hard to peg is that he put up some big numbers, yet he's still listed behind quite a few other backs in terms of draft position. I think his lack of speed is the reason for that, and so the question is, can he do in the NFL what he was able to do in college, or will he be overwhelmed by the speed and size of NFL defenders? That's what's hard to tell about him.

[molepharmer]

You can't say you want to build through the draft and then give up on a 5th round pick after one season.

Great point. And add Kiran Amegadjie in too. People very quick to write him off because of his play last year, but he was thrown to the wolves without much chance for success (coming from small school and no training camp). Doesn’t diminish his potential. Could be a stud for all we know.

Agree. If people are going to be down on a prospect because he doesn't see much time on the field his rookie season, then they might as well be prepared to be disappointed next season with this years #10 pick. Likely the only two prospects who could come in and play significant time from day one and possibly be available at #10, are Warren and Jeanty.

Highly doubtful a rookie from this class would immediately replace a healthy Jones at LT, maybe they could replace Jackson at G but also unlikely. Defensively every starting position is pretty set; Dayo, Dexter, Jarrett/Billingsly, Sweat; similar with the back seven. Even a rookie DE, unless he proves to be other-worldly, will only play ~50% of snaps. Not saying positions (e.g. CB/S) couldn't be upgraded, just doubtful any rookie would replace the current players.

[patryk7754]

Even thought they just extended him over the weekend, I would try and trade for Jake Matthews. He's a top tier LT but 33 years old, so for the right price, the Falcons may be willing to part ways with him. He and Thuney basically have the same career trajectory. We could extend Thuney to match Matthews' new contract and have them expire at the same time, which would be basically align with a Caleb extension.

I'd definitely do something like a 2nd, Braxton, and a future mid round pick. If I get desperate enough, I may be willing to part with our 2025 1st after trading back. But it would have to be in the 20s. I'm very confident that whoever we draft in the first round, won't be as good as Matthews over the next few years.

Matthews/Thuney/Dalman/Jackson/Wright: That could very well be the best OL in the league. Definitely top LT-C combo

Trading for Matthews would come with like a 20m cap hit this season, according to spotrac, so we'd have to do a lot of restructuring. But, I think its well worth doing all that to fully maximize this teams potential while on Caleb's rookie deal

[nomorezorro]

why stop at jake matthews. why not trade for tristan wirfs

[patryk7754]

why stop at jake matthews. why not trade for tristan wirfs

right. because trading for a 26 year old and a 34 year old is the same thing

[Dresden]

I'm interested to see the mock drafts that start coming out that take into account what happened in FA. The Patriots spent a ton of money on their defense, so they are more likely to go offense with their pick I would think.

The 49'ers really got gutted- losing their starting safety Hufunga, plus a very good CB in Ward, and a very good LB in Greenlaw.

[nomorezorro]

i assume the patriots are going to be highly motivated to trade down, but it would be great for us if they went with tet mcmillan at 4

[chitowndish]

I don't think I'm sold on any of the top guys being a LT. I just don't see any of them be a cornerstone LT. Banks out of Texas seems to be the most likely candidate for that, to me. And even heard things about him possibly being a better fit at OG. Simmons out of ohio st is my favorite OT, but he has some bad injury concerns. I'd draft him in the second in a heart beat. But, I wonder if it would be better to just trade for a LT. Someone like Armstead from the dolphins could be "easy' to get. They could use some cap relief and if we package Braxton with a mid round pick, they still get a starting caliber LT while adding a decent pick. For the right LT, i'd be willing to trade our 1st (after a trade back). I would imagine we could get a top 10-ish LT for the 20ish pick and Jones. And if it's an older guy (wouldn't trade a 1st for an older guy) we could still draft out LT of the future in the second

Yeah this is where I'm at I really would be good to lock up our next cornerstone at OT but I don't see it with any of those guys I think it's likely some of them swing inside and have good careers as guards but I'd rather just draft the best guard when they come up. That guy that is built like an OT has a pretty horrible sounding knee injury which I really just don't want a part of. They are great with surgery these days and he's probably going to be fine but I have had enough of those as a Bulls fan and he's going to take a draft hit for that. I'd be good with trading for someone but for this year I think I'm fine seeing what Jones can do and we have Kiran as a backup and we knew he was a project going in and that line and coaching was trash last year so I'm not that concerned that he didn't look good. He's built like a beast though so if we have competent coaching it may be worth just seeing how things play out and if we need we can try and get a LT next year.

If I squint I can see a defensive lineman or edge but it does look like they are also either on the smaller side or there is something going on with each of them too. Stewarts the closest guy but it is concerning if he's raw after 3 years of college coaching. Like either his coach sucks, he was incredibly raw going in or maybe he doesn't pick things up well which could be a real problem. I'd have to get to the bottom of what's happening there to feel comfortable with him but I did like his video.

[Dresden]

Right now, trading down is looking better than ever.

[fleet]

You can't say you want to build through the draft and then give up on a 5th round pick after one season.

Great point. And add Kiran Amegadjie in too. People very quick to write him off because of his play last year, but he was thrown to the wolves without much chance for success (coming from small school and no training camp). Doesn’t diminish his potential. Could be a stud for all we know.

Agree. If people are going to be down on a prospect because he doesn't see much time on the field his rookie season, then they might as well be prepared to be disappointed next season with this years #10 pick. Likely the only two prospects who could come in and play significant time from day one and possibly be available at #10, are Warren and Jeanty.
.

To be clear, I am the one who usually reminds people that we still have Kiran when he is forgotten as a factor in a future lineup. Don’t know why his name was even brought up. Booker is the guy I wasn’t that impressed with, and it’s a perfectly reasonable opinion to hold. If he adds 15 lbs and suddenly begins to produce and be physically impressive and is able to be a fit for Dennis Allen, that would be great, but I have to squint at this point.

[patryk7754]

The 49'ers really got gutted- losing their starting safety Hufunga, plus a very good CB in Ward, and a very good LB in Greenlaw.

What’s crazy is that they still have a handful of blue chip guys. If I put my conspiracy theory hat on, the plan might be see if purdy can carry a team instead of just being a product of the system. If he’s great, great, you pay him. If he’s bad, you tank for manning

[Jeffster81]

I know this won't be popular but my draft would include the Bears taking Jeanty or Tyler Warren in the first and J.T. Tuimoloau and Josh Simmons in the second round.

[patryk7754]

I know this won't be popular but my draft would include the Bears taking Jeanty or Tyler Warren in the first and J.T. Tuimoloau and Josh Simmons in the second round.

I’m all for this. JTT is my favorite DE coming out and Simmons is my favorite LT. My only issue is Simmons’ injury history.

As for Warren, I think he’s a dark horse candidate to be taken at ten. Ben Johnson probably has wet dreams about a TE with his skill set. If that’s the case, I’d prefer to keep Kmet until his contract runs out but, I wouldn’t be surprised if they traded Kmet and drafted Warren. Similar to what the lions did with hockenson and laporta

[patryk7754]

Feels like the 49s lost 10 pro bowlers. I wonder if they would consider blowing it up and tanking for Manning. If that’s the case, that would probably mean Trent Williams would become available. The Tunsil trade probably set the market for what it would cost to trade for an older LT.

[fleet]

Like the OL signings.

Less crazy about the middle class DL signings. Would have preferred a splash there if we're spending.

Would still go Edge at 10 probably. Or Graham if he somehow slips.

We should not get satisfied with another reclamation attempt. Dayo is a pretty expensive vanity project for Poles. Hopefully Dayo isn’t another Darrell Taylor. The only thing that relaxes me a little is that Dennis Allen is a proven coach with a proven eye. As well as Ben Johnson. But that doesn’t stop me from taking another pass rusher at #10. Or a DT. Solve these problems with volume.

[Dresden]

The 49'ers really got gutted- losing their starting safety Hufunga, plus a very good CB in Ward, and a very good LB in Greenlaw.

What’s crazy is that they still have a handful of blue chip guys. If I put my conspiracy theory hat on, the plan might be see if purdy can carry a team instead of just being a product of the system. If he’s great, great, you pay him. If he’s bad, you tank for manning

I think they are working on his contract this offseason though. They haven't lost many guys on offense, other than Debo, who was losing effectiveness anyway. But their defense has taken a big hit. Kittle isn't getting any younger either. They made a big mistake with Ayuik- he held out, they eventually gave him a big contract, he was rusty, and then got hurt.

[Dresden]

Like the OL signings.

Less crazy about the middle class DL signings. Would have preferred a splash there if we're spending.

Would still go Edge at 10 probably. Or Graham if he somehow slips.

We should not get satisfied with another reclamation attempt. Dayo is a pretty expensive vanity project for Poles. Hopefully Dayo isn’t another Darrell Taylor. The only thing that relaxes me a little is that Dennis Allen is a proven coach with a proven eye. As well as Ben Johnson. But that doesn’t stop me from taking another pass rusher at #10. Or a DT. Solve these problems with volume.

If it was Dennis Allen and Ben Johnson that pushed for Dayo, why is he a "vanity project for Poles"? That's kind of a nonsensical term anyway- implying Poles somehow likes to show off by taking unheralded players and turning them into something. Nothing I've seen from him indicates he has that kind of ego.

And while having Dayo in the fold likely doesn't rule taking another Edge at 10, they do have a lot of money tied up now at that position. Do you really want to also have a top 10 pick battling for playing time there?

If there's someone they absolutely love at 10 that's an Edge, ok, fine, take him and build depth. But it would be more natural to take a depth piece with a second or third round pick for that position, and use 10 on either a future LT (to avoid having to pay Braxton), on Jeanty or Warren, or a possibly even a CB, if they don't think Stevenson is worth the trouble.

[chitowndish]

My thing with DT is there seems like two definitive body types guys that are 300lbs and guys that are 330lbs and all of these 330 guys are either coming at the end of the first round (1) or there is 3 of these guys right around where we pick in the 2nd round. I agree I want size on both lines so I would rather pick up one of these DT in that second round than try and pick one up at 10. I feel similarly about the offensive line I'd rather pick up a guard in that second round than try and take a tackle in the first and move them to IOL or deal with that one OT's knee. To me that second round seems like the perfect place to pick up both an IOL and DT.

Edge is one that I could probably go either way but it doesn't feel like any of those guys are really standing out and they all have something concerning. To me this feels like reaching for something we want to be there rather than taking advantage of what is there. Stewart does look pretty good to me on tape and I like his size but that part about his skills still being raw after 3 years has me a little concerned. I feel like what it could be is he's physically dominant at the college level so he doesn't have to work on his skills but that is going to change in the NFL and is he going to be able to progress is the question I would need to get to with him. I do like the way he moves on tape though and he does seem to react well to what is happening in front of him so I definitely wouldn't rule him out.

I don't mind getting an edge this year though I'm fine playing out the year and seeing how that young edge we picked up looks and then see how Kiran/Jones look at OT and if one of those positions look good and the other is struggling I maybe use the second to trade up in the first round next year and pick up whichever one we need more. We have too many holes to fill this year for me to want to trade up but next year it may make sense if we find that we do need to make a move at OT or Edge and then we have the benefit of seeing what we actually need. I think this year so far I would like Jeanty, Zabel, Williams and then the rest would be a mix of fast WR and defensive secondary guys because our secondary fell off last year after some injuries.