3 Months Early - 1st Rd Prediction

[emperorjones]

Well, I look forward to whatever updates you have from the "Insider" POV. You paying for that ?

No I have a good friend that's an agent. He subscribes to everything online you can think of and lets me use his login. I used to be a total draft head too. I remember in high school in the 80's spending $2 to call the 976 sports hotline to follow the draft while at boarding school with no TV or radio.
Last year was the first draft I missed that I can remember.

[Chewie]

For shame! You WERE out of the country as I remember, no ? That's a good enough excuse so I'll let it slide. This board was alive on draft day last year as I recall - well, alive as it gets here. Should be fun again...

[emperorjones]

Real GM throws its hat into the ring on your early draft thread

18. Chicago Bears: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

Big, physical dynamo with great hands and the panache that no Bears wideout has brought in years. I don’t believe the Bears have any interest in a 1st round QB, but rather prefer to give Kyle Orton a legit wideout, and Nicks could be the best of the bunch in this entire draft class.

[DanTown8587]

I can say this much:

QB Unless Freeman REALLY measures well and the Bears fall in love no one else can move up to here. Stafford/Sanchez will be L O N G gone by #18
RB Not a chance. The Bears aren't a two back team and wouldn't take a guy here.
WR Not the way Angelo builds a team. I believe he addresses this need in FA. I would be completely shocked if the Bears didn't make a hard run at TJ Housh...
TE Nope. Deepest positon on the team
OL Makes a lot of sense. Lots of questions and old guys. Would be a tackle
DL Makes Rod M. happy and could light the fire under Wale, Harris, etc
LB Not likely unless Urlacher was cut and that isn't happening IMO
CB Bears don't spend #1 on guys for the Cover 2, nor should you
S If Taylor Mays were in the draft and available sure, since he isn't I don't see it.

With that in mind my top three choices are
1. Michael Oher OT Ole Miss
I expect him to be here and with the question marks surrounding the offensive line it makes a ton of sense to take him.
2. Brian Orakpo DE Texas.
Great size and motor to play the end in a 4-3 defense. Gets after the passer really well and the Bears love to take luxury picks with their #1.
3. Josh Freeman QB Kansas State
The Joe Flacco of the draft as I see him coming in right away and with a strong arm being a very good quarterback down the road. Played with some bad guys around him, but has escapability (something Orton doesn't) and great size (something Grossman doesn't).

Perfect Off-Season
FA signings
WR TJ Houshmandzadeh
RB LaMont Jordan
S Jermaine Phillips
DL Chris Canty (moved inside)

First Three Draft Picks
1. Michael Oher RT Ole Miss
2. Kenny Brit WR Rutgers
3. Nic Harris OLB Oklahoma

[Chewie]

Thanks for chiming in, DanTown - your draft projections look sounds to me.

On the free agency front, I'm of the opinion that Angelo probably doesn't even contact Housh's agent - I didn't realize he'll be 32 next season. I'm guessing we go after the best receiver available in Rd2.

BTW, rumor has it we may get an extra 3rd round pick once the compensatory picks are announced.