2011 Bears Draft Thread

[emperorjones]

Could this thread be more ill timed? No.

But, given that attitudes are headed in a positive direction I figure I'd get some opinions here now before its too late.

There's a huge FA class coming in 2011 rich with young talent at every position. Maybe no salary cap. Who knows if there will be football. Could have a huge effect on what to draft. For example, if we are really missing the 2011 season, then I think we had better draft some Line backers, as ours are getting a little long in the tooth. Would you take an OT in the first round or go after a proven commodity in FA?

Right now, I'd go OLT , LG and get a big WR in FA. Happily we finally do not need a QB, RB, TE, on offense and we don't need a DE on defense. I also think that Manning has settled in finally at SS and thus the safety position is fine right now.

So in the draft I'd look to get:

1. A shut down corner. Preferably an elite athlete, so I'd be looking 1st round to grab the best one.
2. A LB.
3. A big WR. Someone massive, in the 6'5" 220lbs range.
4. A Center. I'm sure Olin Kreutz is on his last year or 2. I'm thinking 3rd/4th round here.
5. Another CB or a FS. Thinking we can start Major Wright next year and Harris moves to backup SS.

Thoughts

[The Explorer]

I also think that Manning has settled in finally at SS and thus the safety position is fine right now.

Agree on most points, except this. I wouldn't call the position settled when Manning is a free agent. What kind of deal could he get with the cba up in the air? Bears, like a lot of teams, may choose to not dole out any long term deals.

[WEFFPIM]

I won't lie, I don't think about the draft until the Tuesday after it's finished. You, sir, are dedicated.

But OL is still the biggest need followed by the secondary.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

I think Center is a priority. Olin Kreutz has been getting tossed into the backfield for the last couple of seasons. I agree that a 3rd rd target is acceptable.

[WEFFPIM]

I will not be able to handle another season of Jamarcus Webb not seeing what's in front of him.

[Jeffster81]

I won't lie, I don't think about the draft until the Tuesday after it's finished. You, sir, are dedicated.

But OL is still the biggest need followed by the secondary.

I have no problems if the Bears want to spend their first two picks on OL.

[ChronicKerr]

2011 draft eh? Don't know too much about the prospects not projected in the top 20 but I do know our positions of need.

Offensive Line should be our first pick. Guard, Tackle, doesn't matter. Best O-lineman is what this pick should be. It's always nice to get a tackle over a guard but this o-line has so many holes best available is what it should be. Projecting where Williams is going to play on the line next year is going to be tough. I'm really disapointed he can't even hold onto a tackle spot, however, I would think he would be playing RT over Webb right now if we had more viable options on the inside (whatever happened to Louis? and Edwin was brutal).

I wouldn't be opposed to going OL, OL in the first two picks but we are in desperate need of a true big #1 WR and a shutdown corner as well. Seeing as it's hard to find "studs" after the first round on a consistent basis going OL again wouldn't be a bad idea. I think getting a #1 WR might be better in FA than in the draft as I don't want to spend a 1st rounder on a WR.

Needs in order:
1) Offensive Line (2 new starters)
2) Big #1 WR (FA most likely) - I know the talks of is Julio going to fall are going to come on draft day. He won't and I'm not sure I want him to. If we can sign a FA WR #1 I am reallllly liking our WR core.
3) Shutdown Corner - Cover 2 scheme doens't necesarily require we have these (we don't have any) but it would be nice to get one. Tillman is on his last legs and Jennings/Bowman aren't really any good. I am pleasanlty surprised with our safety play so far this year. Manning has looked good and I would love to bring him back. Wright is primed to be a starter, although after last week, he doesn't really look like one. I say bring back the trio we have next year at safety. CB is more of a need in the secondary right now.
4) DT - I like our current rotation there but Tommie is most likely gone and Melton, Toeina, Harrison, Adams are solid/situational players but not true studs. We're good at plugging the run in the middle but don't really provide much QB pressure. Would like to add a DT in the first 3-4 rounds.
5) LB - not a huge need at the moment, but, our LB's are getting up there and we will need to address this more in the next 2-3 years
6) DE - Peppers is locked in for the foreseeable future as our mainstay at the DE position and Izzy has been great opposite him, however, we have no one else. If anything happened to Peppers we'd be screwed. I finally saw Wooton out there last weekend (not sure why he was playing all of a sudden against NE early in the game) but I'm not sure what we can get from him. Melton can play some DE here as well but after the first two guys, we don't have much.
7) Backup QB - maybe a vet FA - Lefevour didn't work out this past draft

[emperorjones]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=kiper_jr_mel&id=5973765

Chicago Bears
Top needs: C, RG, DT, CB
Pick strategy: I'm not sold on the idea that it's a foregone conclusion the Bears will go after an offensive lineman in Round 1. That's because where they really need to look -- mainly on the interior given development they've gotten on the edges -- is a place you can find some value at a later point. You just don't see guards and centers drafted in the first round too often, unless you have a guy like Maurkice Pouncey or Mike Iupati last year that will immediately be starting and an upgrade. Keep an eye on corner, where Jenkins could be a good get. While the Bears have developed a competent core of wideouts seemingly on the cheap, if a big target that can overwhelm smaller DBs is here, such as Jon Baldwin of Pitt, it's something that could help diversify what Chicago can do in that passing game. And while Chicago has gotten the job done up front, if it wants continued effectiveness from an aging corps of linebackers, it will need to invest in a defensive tackle, perhaps right here.

[Jeffster81]

2) Big #1 WR (FA most likely) - I know the talks of is Julio going to fall are going to come on draft day. He won't and I'm not sure I want him to. If we can sign a FA WR #1 I am reallllly liking our WR core.

I agree with you for the most part, but i want to update you on Julio Jones. There is rumors around Alabama that JJ intends to keep his promise with his mother and returning to school for his senior year. I'm not saying it is guarantee he will return, but off all high profile underclassmens' who can and will declare for the draft, he won't surprise me if he doesn't even put his name in the draft pool.

[Cliff Levingston]

It all depends on who's available, but Cliff Levingston is inclined to agree with Kiper regarding our tackles. Webb is a physical freak who's improved a lot under Tice while Omiyale has definitely held his own at RT. The immediate need on the ends of the line has been mitigated. However, Cliff Levingston doesn't particularly like the interior guys, with Kreutz needing to hang 'em up. That said:

Round 1: Defensive Tackle. With Peppers playing great but also getting some nice play from Idonije, Wootton and Melton at times, we really need a guy who can do a bit of what Tommie Harris was supposed to do; it would make the defense that much more dominant.

Round 2: Center. Kreutz is just about done, so we need a guy who can either be the future here and play behind Olin for one more year, or step in and take the job. It'd be nice to get a big guy here who can at least sort of move the big tackles of Green Bay's defense.

Round 3: Cornerback. Tillman is getting old. Jennings is alright and D.J. Moore is best suited as a nickelback. We need more talent here, pronto.

Round 4: Wide Receiver. We need a big guy who can play outside the numbers and move the chains to compliment Johnny Knox's speed on the other side. Hester and Bennett are used as slot guys or in 4 WR sets while still having Olsen in there.

Round 5: Guard. Garza and Williams are alright, but we need more talent here period. Williams would also probably be the primary backup tackle, so having a guy other than Louis to step in if needed would be good, and you can get good offensive linemen this late especially with Tice as the coach.

Round 6: Defensive Tackle. Really, we only have Adams and Toeina as DTs that we can count on considering Tommie will be gone (most likely). Cliff Levingston would like to see more depth added here.

Round 7: Offensive line. Grab one more high upside prospect like Webb last year.

Notes:
- No linebackers needed. Briggs and Urlacher are still near the top of their game, and if they get hurt, we're screwed anyway.
- The safeties look good with Manning, Harris and Wright.
- Cliff Levingston likes the DE's with Peppers, Idonije, Wootton and Melton.
- No running backs or quarterbacks needed.
- Cliff Levingston expects Kellen Davis to finally get a bigger role in the offense next year after Manumaleuna is released and Des Clark hangs 'em up (pretty much).

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

For those that believe we need a CB. How about this guy:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6004943

Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha's contract voided and he will be allowed to become a free agent without the Oakland Raiders being able to use their franchise tag on him, according to an NFL Players Association document.

Asomugha’s deal included a little-known clause that said his contract would void if he didn’t achieve his not-likely-to-be-earned incentives in 2010 -- and he didn'’t.

His contract also contained a stipulation that if he didn’t achieve his incentives, the Raiders would agree not to designate him their franchise or transition player.

To achieve his incentives, Asomugha had to play in a greater number of defensive plays in 2010 than he did in 2009, and this season Asomugha played in only 14 games whereas he played in all 16 in 2009.

He also could have achieved his incentives by improving upon on his interceptions, fumble recoveries or sacks this season -- but he didn't have any interceptions, fumble recoveries or sacks this season.

He will be the top defensive player available whenever free agency begins.

[Howling Mad]

Until the Bears have two pass rushers that require a double team they won't stop going for defensive lineman. Now that Peppers is here for a couple years we'll lean more towards defensive tackels over ends.

This organization's priorities have always been

1. defense
2. defense
3. defense
4. special teams
5. running back
6. offense

[WEFFPIM]

I think Idonije has had a really nice year and benefited greatly from Peppers on the other side.

[Cliff Levingston]

I think Idonije has had a really nice year and benefited greatly from Peppers on the other side.

Him, Wooton and Melton all have shown some ability to get to the QB. You could use a guy like Melton on the interior during obvious passing situations but an impact DT that can get penetration consistently will turn this defense from great to dominant. The window is small too with Urlacher, Briggs, Tillman, Chris Harris and Peppers all getting up there in age, so this is the offseason to go get that guy.

[The Explorer]

Notes:
- No linebackers needed. Briggs and Urlacher are still near the top of their game, and if they get hurt, we're screwed anyway.
- The safeties look good with Manning, Harris and Wright.

Pisa Tinoisomoa is a FA. I'm not sure if Bears will sign him again, given his injury history. Roach could be gone as well. They may need to draft an OLB.

But the more important issue is Manning, who is also unrestricted. The Bears already lowballed him, and I don't think they will offer him enough to keep him. I could easily see him wearing another uniform, so they will have to draft another S. I'm not comfortable with Steltz or Bullocks back there.

[joelafan]

Notes:
- No linebackers needed. Briggs and Urlacher are still near the top of their game, and if they get hurt, we're screwed anyway.
- The safeties look good with Manning, Harris and Wright.

Pisa Tinoisomoa is a FA. I'm not sure if Bears will sign him again, given his injury history. Roach could be gone as well. They may need to draft an OLB.

But the more important issue is Manning, who is also unrestricted. The Bears already lowballed him, and I don't think they will offer him enough to keep him. I could easily see him wearing another uniform, so they will have to draft another S. I'm not comfortable with Steltz or Bullocks back there.

Aaron Willams CB out of Texas is on mel or shays board .Aslo theres a DT for lsu forget his name though.

[ChronicKerr]

There's a few CB's projected right around where we're picking (Jimmy Smith, Aaron Williams, and Ras-I Dowling). If the O-lineman are all gone (Costanzo, Solder, Smith, Pouncey, Carimi, Sherrod, or Wisniewski) in the expected run in the mid first round we could very well go wtih one of these three guys or the best available WR or DT.

[ipoopinmypants]

I really like the idea of Mike Pouncey (G/C) out of Florida (Icness had us taking him in his latest mock).
His brother is a stud, and it is most certainly a glaring need for us, so I think he is a great pick.. Should be esp. great for the running game.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

A big physical WR, a CB, and offensive linemen.

[Bucksfans1and2]

Hearing you guys talk about wanting Pouncey has me scared. I'd really like him on the Pack.