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

[Jeffster81]

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/chicago_bears_hosting_fluid_fast_untapped_weapon_for_caleb_williams_on_visit/s1_17081_41961123

I've touted Bond in an earlier post. He's the kind of WR3 Ben Johnson would like to have. Can play in the slot or out wide. Great speed. Good hands.

I appreciate his catch against Auburn but overall Bond never impressed me as a player. I would take a flier, of course, but he would another Tyler Scott.

[Dresden]

From what I've read, it seems like our draft board looks like this:

1a) Will Campbell (or Membou if he falls)
1b) Jeanty
3) Edge
4) Warren
5) Trade Back
6) Wild Card- DT, CB, WR, Safety

[Peelboy]

I assume Bears are focused on 3 scenarios:
1/Preferred: Cambell/Membou at 10, then 2 D-linemen at 39/41 (2 from Tyliek Williams, Landon Jackson, Umanmielen, Sawyer, Tuimolau, TJ Sanders, Harmon if he slides), and an RB like Henderson/Hampton/Judkins/Skattebo at 72).
2: Jeanty at 10, the hoping for a Conerly/Zabel/Ersery/DonJackson at 39 and then either another or one of the DL from above at 41. At 72, another OL or DL (Cameron Williams/Trapilo, Norman-Lott, Deone Walker, maybe Jared Wilson or Tate Ratledge).
3: In the odd scenario where Mason Graham slides, Graham at 10, then OL and RB from the group above at 39/41/72.

Worst case scenario is all 4 of Campbell/Membou/Jeanty/Graham are gone along with Abdul Carter/Hunter and the 2 QBs, in which case I'd hope for a trade down, otherwise you're probably looking at a bit of a reach for a Booker/Simmons/Banks at OT or Shemar Stewart/Jalon Walker/Myke Willams/Jihaad Campbell/Mike Green.

In my dream scenario, it's something like 1. Membou-Williams/Harmon, Umanmielen/Jackson, Henderson. Or I'm tantalized by the idea of a Jeanty-Harmon/Sanders-Conerly/Jackson-Trapilo/Wilson/Ratledge draft. Primary goal is fortifying the OL, second is DL. But doing that and also getting a home run RB? :drool:

[panthermark]

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/chicago_bears_hosting_fluid_fast_untapped_weapon_for_caleb_williams_on_visit/s1_17081_41961123

I've touted Bond in an earlier post. He's the kind of WR3 Ben Johnson would like to have. Can play in the slot or out wide. Great speed. Good hands.

I appreciate his catch against Auburn but overall Bond never impressed me as a player. I would take a flier, of course, but he would another Tyler Scott.

Has Scott been deemed that much of a bust? One target in 2024 is a bad look.

Edit - I just looked up VJJ...ouch.
2024 with the Bears - 2 carries for 11 yards, 1 catch for 8 yards, 1 KR for 0 yards, and 1 fumble.
Was cut by the Bears mid season and signed by the Jags.
Never played a snap for the Jags and was cut in December.
Was signed by the Panthers - 1 carrier for 0 yards and 1 KR for 19 yards.
Was just signed by the Saints.


March 15, 2025: The New Orleans Saints signed WR Velus Jones Jr.
December 10, 2024: The Carolina Panthers claimed WR Velus Jones Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.
November 18, 2024: The Jacksonville Jaguars assigned WR Velus Jones Jr. to the practice squad.
November 16, 2024: The Jacksonville Jaguars elevated WR Velus Jones to the active roster.
October 29, 2024: The Jacksonville Jaguars signed WR Velus Jones Jr. to the practice squad.
October 25, 2024: The Chicago Bears waived WR Velus Jones Jr.

[NecessaryEvil]

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[Chi town]

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He’s Sonic and Knuckles.

Gotta love that.

[Dresden]

Matt Pryor signs with PHI- too bad, he would have been good depth piece to have.

[Dresden]

What worries me about Jeanty is that his main ability is bouncing off tacklers. Is that going to work in the NFL? In college, he mainly played against second tier defenders. The one defense he did play against that was top rated, Penn State, shut him down pretty effectively. He still ran for 130 yards, but needed something like 28 carries to do so. I didn't see him break many tackles in that game- they made him look pretty ordinary.

He's also pretty small, and not super fast. If they draft him, I hope they know what they're doing. I'd also hate to pass on him, and then see him become a top 3 RB for the next 5 years, too. Gotta hope they get it right.

Same with Campbell too- some people think he'll be a really, really good OT in the NFL. Others think he'll have trouble due to his short arms.

The safest pick might be Tyler Warren, but how much impact do TE's really have?

If they see an Edge or DT they like, that might be the way to go. We still don't have a legit star on the d line.

[Almost Retired]

Matt Pryor signs with PHI- too bad, he would have been good depth piece to have.

Which leads me to believe that Poles will add at least 2 offensive linemen in this draft. I would not do it with #10. But if he can trade down and pick up more Day 2 picks I could see adding an offensive guard and a tackle. On a trade down I'd draft Grey Zabel. He's got some positional flexibility, even as a potential Center when Dalman's contract runs out, Then I'd add one of the big tackles (Savailnaea or Ersery) with our #41 pick or alternatively I've read that the Bears are looking at Charles Grant the OT out of William and Mary who is projected at 3rd round. He's developmental, would need a year of strength enhancement but they love his speed, wrestling background, and arm length. Another dark horse is Hollin Pierce of Rutgers. He's huge, 6'8" and 341 lbs with 36" inch arms. He's another redshirt type developmental project who is graded out as a 5th rounder. But you can't coach size and he's got that.

[sco]

Remember when we thought the Fridge Perry was huge?

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/article/464-pounds-floridas-desmond-watson-191608131.html

[Almost Retired]

https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-bears/one-team-sticks-out-as-a-chicago-bears-trade-down-partner/

The Steelers are at #21. They don't have a 2nd rounder this year. They would have to give us their 3rd and 4th round picks this year and their 2nd round pick next year. I'd take that deal. We can still add a quality player at #21, some depth with the 3rd and 4th rounders, and it sets us up to have 2 second rounders again next year where we can address holes we couldn't fill this year.

[Almost Retired]

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/bears_projected_to_trade_down_for_two_time_all_american_in_latest_nfl_mock_draft/s1_17615_41967420

I like this trade down possibility too. Hampton would fill our need for a power RB. And he's bigger than Jeanty.

[Dresden]

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/bears_projected_to_trade_down_for_two_time_all_american_in_latest_nfl_mock_draft/s1_17615_41967420

I like this trade down possibility too. Hampton would fill our need for a power RB. And he's bigger than Jeanty.

That would be ideal- still get Hampton and add a 2nd round pick.

[Betta Bulleavit]

Remember when we thought the Fridge Perry was huge?

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/article/464-pounds-floridas-desmond-watson-191608131.html

That’s too big. My son and I were just talking about him yesterday. The fact that he can move the way that he does at that weight is amazing. But it’s not optimal to any degree.

[Almost Retired]

Remember when we thought the Fridge Perry was huge?

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/article/464-pounds-floridas-desmond-watson-191608131.html

That’s too big. My son and I were just talking about him yesterday. The fact that he can move the way that he does at that weight is amazing. But it’s not optimal to any degree.

Yes. Very unhealthy. The kid is destined for a short lifespan without some serious intervention. I'd put him on Ozempic and try to get him to lose weight down to the 350-360 lb range. Give him a dietician for sure. Then after his playing career he should lose another 75-100 pounds to lessen his chances for Type 2 diabetes, knee and hip problems, etc.

[NecessaryEvil]

What worries me about Jeanty is that his main ability is bouncing off tacklers. Is that going to work in the NFL? In college, he mainly played against second tier defenders. The one defense he did play against that was top rated, Penn State, shut him down pretty effectively. He still ran for 130 yards, but needed something like 28 carries to do so. I didn't see him break many tackles in that game- they made him look pretty ordinary.

He's also pretty small, and not super fast. If they draft him, I hope they know what they're doing. I'd also hate to pass on him, and then see him become a top 3 RB for the next 5 years, too. Gotta hope they get it right.

Same with Campbell too- some people think he'll be a really, really good OT in the NFL. Others think he'll have trouble due to his short arms.

The safest pick might be Tyler Warren, but how much impact do TE's really have?

If they see an Edge or DT they like, that might be the way to go. We still don't have a legit star on the d line.

Yeah, I dunno I see him being pretty dominant in the NFL and quickly.

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[NecessaryEvil]

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I don’t think he gets to ten. Poles will have to move up.

[sco]

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I don’t think he gets to ten. Poles will have to move up.

I get nervous drafting "studs" from small schools...the competition level is much lower.

[Almost Retired]

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I don’t think he gets to ten. Poles will have to move up.

I get nervous drafting "studs" from small schools...the competition level is much lower.

I share your concerns. I think he'd be successful under Ben Johnson, especially utilizing him in the short passing game where he'd already be behind the big linemen and able to put up big YAC numbers. And I wouldn't be that upset if we drafted him at #10. Though my preference is still to trade down, get another 2nd rounder, and "settle" for an Omarion Hampton or Quinshon Judkins with a lower pick.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

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I don’t think he gets to ten. Poles will have to move up.

I get nervous drafting "studs" from small schools...the competition level is much lower.

Time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This guy looks like a Tasmanian devil.