RealGM

With the season over, I figured this was worthy...

Anyway, I think it seems like some of the big options at our 1st round is either a replacement for Urlacher which would make Alec Ogletree as a possible option. Another option is to obviously fix our O-line with either an OT like Eric Fisher or else I could see us going interior with Barrett Jones.

That aside, taking Emery's comments yestersday into account about the necessity for more playmakers, I really would not be surprised to see us going with either another WR or a TE early in the draft if we don't' fix it via FA. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the TE crop in this draft and I expect many to be picked too early with the fad it has become in the NFL. Furthermore, I think this FA has a lot of promising TE between Fred Davis, Delanie Walker and Jared Cook, so I think this is the route we ultimately take to fix that position.

Personally, I can definitely see us going with a speedy WR in the 2nd round like say Robert Woods or Tavon Austin. I understand the hesitance with already Alshon, but keep in mind that great offensive teams like NO, GB, and NE consistently go for playmakers even when they are loaded at those positions. I mean look at the way GB drafted Nelson when they already had Driver, Jennings, Jones at the time. Or even moreso when they took Cobb two years ago. Especially when we take into account Bennett's injury history as well as potentially Alshon.

That's just my two cents. What are some of your thoughts as the draft approaches...

My priorities in the draft TE, OL, LB, WR.


Obviously our plans in FA will effect what we do in the draft, but I'd like to invest in the OL and WR in FA and look for TE & LB in the first two rounds.

I'd love Ogletree in the first, but I think he'll be gone by our pick.

Magilla_Gorilla wrote:My priorities in the draft TE, OL, LB, WR.


Obviously our plans in FA will effect what we do in the draft, but I'd like to invest in the OL and WR in FA and look for TE & LB in the first two rounds.

I'd love Ogletree in the first, but I think he'll be gone by our pick.

As someone who lives in Tennessee, I'm a BIG fan of Jared Cook. Talented player who can actually catch the football; he was just grossly misused there. Honestly, I'd LOVE to throw money at both him and maybe Walker; or else just him and start using Rodriguez more as that H-back that we envisioned when drafting him ala Chris Cooley/Aaron Hernandez (maybe not as good obviously). I don't like Eifart who I think falls into that category of Greg Olsen/Fleener.

I'm also not too opposed of looking at a pass rusher. This draft is historically deep at that position, and Peppers could very well be let go this offseason whereas Shea concerns me.

OL, OL, OL,.............LB, TE, WR

There are a lot of o lineman going to be drafted, and by the time our first pick comes up, most of the top linemen will be gone. We can't afford to stretch and end up with another Carimi, so I think we really nerd to look towards the LB first round. Best case scenario, Te'o falls right into our lap, but if not, we still draft a replacement for Urlacher. Second round,i think weook for an offensive lineman or a speedy we like Rabin Austin.

If we do this, we will obviously be forced to spend most of our FA money towards linemen, which I'm okay with doing, as long as the line improves.

Two words. Oline and Tight end.

If the Bears can secure a good TE in FA,
then Oline and Oline.

In order of priority
OL
TE
LB depth
CB depth
WR

If there are players that are obvious picks that go against my list then I would pick that player, like Robert Woods in the 2nd. Also, someone had Te'o dropping to us in the 1st so I would do that too but no way he's there. A lot would have to do with we we do in FA. If I were the Bears I'd go after Jake Long, Dustin Keller, and Derek Cox, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, or Aqib Talib at CB
After FA and assuming we get the players I mentioned this would be my draft based on mock drafts.

RD 1: Barrette Jones
RD 2: Robert Woods
RD 4: Jelani Jenkins
RD 5: Marcus Lattimore
RD 6: OL Depth

Depending on what round it is (4th or beyond) I'd consider tyrann mathieu.

patryk7754 wrote:In order of priority
OL
TE
LB depth
CB depth
WR

If there are players that are obvious picks that go against my list then I would pick that player, like Robert Woods in the 2nd. Also, someone had Te'o dropping to us in the 1st so I would do that too but no way he's there. A lot would have to do with we we do in FA. If I were the Bears I'd go after Jake Long, Dustin Keller, and Derek Cox, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, or Aqib Talib at CB
After FA and assuming we get the players I mentioned this would be my draft based on mock drafts.

RD 1: Barrette Jones
RD 2: Robert Woods
RD 4: Jelani Jenkins
RD 5: Marcus Lattimore
RD 6: OL Depth

Depending on what round it is (4th or beyond) I'd consider tyrann mathieu.

Two things - Jake Long looks to be damaged goods, and I'm having a hard time seeing Jones lasting until 20.

Magilla_Gorilla wrote:

patryk7754 wrote:In order of priority
OL
TE
LB depth
CB depth
WR

If there are players that are obvious picks that go against my list then I would pick that player, like Robert Woods in the 2nd. Also, someone had Te'o dropping to us in the 1st so I would do that too but no way he's there. A lot would have to do with we we do in FA. If I were the Bears I'd go after Jake Long, Dustin Keller, and Derek Cox, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, or Aqib Talib at CB
After FA and assuming we get the players I mentioned this would be my draft based on mock drafts.

RD 1: Barrette Jones
RD 2: Robert Woods
RD 4: Jelani Jenkins
RD 5: Marcus Lattimore
RD 6: OL Depth

Depending on what round it is (4th or beyond) I'd consider tyrann mathieu.

Two things - Jake Long looks to be damaged goods, and I'm having a hard time seeing Jones lasting until 20.

I definitely agree with Jake Long. Franchise LT's don't just become "available." Someone will throw big money at him and regret it big time. Personally, I'd go after Vollmer.

As for Jones, I wouldn't be surprised. Don't forget, the same things were said about Decastro only to be dropped to the 24th pick. In the end of the day, Jones will likely be an interior lineman at the next level and you rarely see them go in the middle rounds unless they are able to switch between guard and tackle (ala Branden Albert). Point is, I think Jones projects to be a center or guard and will be there for us. Then again, after passing on Decastro next season, I wouldn't be shocked to see us passing on him at the first round again this draft and going for one of the tackle prospects.

Magilla_Gorilla wrote:

patryk7754 wrote:In order of priority
OL
TE
LB depth
CB depth
WR

If there are players that are obvious picks that go against my list then I would pick that player, like Robert Woods in the 2nd. Also, someone had Te'o dropping to us in the 1st so I would do that too but no way he's there. A lot would have to do with we we do in FA. If I were the Bears I'd go after Jake Long, Dustin Keller, and Derek Cox, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, or Aqib Talib at CB
After FA and assuming we get the players I mentioned this would be my draft based on mock drafts.

RD 1: Barrette Jones
RD 2: Robert Woods
RD 4: Jelani Jenkins
RD 5: Marcus Lattimore
RD 6: OL Depth

Depending on what round it is (4th or beyond) I'd consider tyrann mathieu.

Two things - Jake Long looks to be damaged goods, and I'm having a hard time seeing Jones lasting until 20.

I have no doubt Long will at the same level as before but even if he's not he'll still be a million times better than what we have. As for Jones I agree with you 100% I was just going by the mock drafts. Almost everyone has him dropping to us which I don't get because he played every oline position in college at an elite level

patryk7754 wrote:

Magilla_Gorilla wrote:

patryk7754 wrote:In order of priority
OL
TE
LB depth
CB depth
WR

If there are players that are obvious picks that go against my list then I would pick that player, like Robert Woods in the 2nd. Also, someone had Te'o dropping to us in the 1st so I would do that too but no way he's there. A lot would have to do with we we do in FA. If I were the Bears I'd go after Jake Long, Dustin Keller, and Derek Cox, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, or Aqib Talib at CB
After FA and assuming we get the players I mentioned this would be my draft based on mock drafts.

RD 1: Barrette Jones
RD 2: Robert Woods
RD 4: Jelani Jenkins
RD 5: Marcus Lattimore
RD 6: OL Depth

Depending on what round it is (4th or beyond) I'd consider tyrann mathieu.

Two things - Jake Long looks to be damaged goods, and I'm having a hard time seeing Jones lasting until 20.

I have no doubt Long will at the same level as before but even if he's not he'll still be a million times better than what we have. As for Jones I agree with you 100% I was just going by the mock drafts. Almost everyone has him dropping to us which I don't get because he played every oline position in college at an elite level

Him being a "million times better than what we have" doesn't excuse potentially throwing a massive contract at what appears to be damaged goods. That's the type of move that has crippled teams like Washington and Oakland. I'm all for upgrades at the line, but we can't throw money at the first thing we see. Personally, I'd rather spend less on a second tier lineman who doesn't have the injury concerns that Long does. My top two guys to look at this offseason is Branden Albert and Sebastian Vollmer. Both are very good and can potentially be overlooked at and receive a very fair contract..

Regarding OTs, Ryan Clady is gonna be a free agent.
And he already knows Jay and Brandon

bearadonisdna wrote:Regarding OTs, Ryan Clady is gonna be a free agent.
And he already knows Jay and Brandon

He's getting tag if not resigned

If I thought Long was damaged goods then I wouldn't throw all that money at him. Of course he would have to work out for us and that should show any signs of h being damage. I also like Vollmer and Andre Smith

I think OL is one of the harder positions to draft. Ideally I would like to address the OL in FA. Of course every other team in the league is probably thinking the same thing.

We need Linebackers, If we can get an OL grab him but with our position all the top OL might be gone.

I'd like to see the Bears go free agency with LT and grab Jake Long, Ryan Clady, or Albert from KC. That would shore up the left. I think you then wait til maybe the 4th round to grab a OG. Bears lose their 3rd round pick this year as a result of the Marshall trade.

In terms of draft, I think in order of the most impact that a player could make on this team right now:

1. TE - An athletic, pass-catching tight end would help this team immensely. Give Cutler another target down the middle, open up for Marshall and Alshon a little bit.
2. LB - Linebacker is a need now. Urlacher will most likely be gone. Briggs is getting up there in age. Roach is ok, as are the guys on the bench. If you stay in with the Tampa 2 4-3, you need to replace Urlacher with an athletic LB who can run down the field and work sideline to sideline. If you are looking 3-4, you'll need pretty much the same thing. Honestly, we could probably use a couple of LBs.
3. CB - Jennings is promising and still sort of young, Tillman is old and will need replacing soon. Beyond them, you don't have much depth. Hayden was unreliable, and I'm not sure where DJ Moore will be. Not sure if he had a beef with Lovie or what.
4. DT - With Melton as a free agent, we may need to go shopping for his replacement. Line depth overall is ok.
5. QB - Should always be on our mind, despite Jay's presence. There should be a promising QB in the wings getting developed - especially when you look at the mediocre guys that we've brought in as backups. Why can't we have our own Colin Kapernick or Russel Wilson? Its happened in the past.
6. WR - Can probably use a speedster a la Johnny Knox to compliment Alshon and Marshall if Knox isn't coming back.

Bear needs in this order
LT
TE
LB
LG/C
CB
WR (slot)
RB (speedster/special teams contributor)
QB (backup)
QB (young player to groom)

Free Agent Priorities
LT: Strong group. Long, and Clady are the franchise LTs. Then there's Albert and Baker.
TE: Strong group. Dustin Keller, Jared Cook, Fred Davis.
WR: Need, speed, special teams contribution. Knox can probably easily be re-signed.
RB: Nice group of special teamers and speedsters. La'Rod Srephens-Howling, Bernard Scott. maybe Felix Jones.
QB: Campbell or Matt Moore.


Draft
I'd go LB and LG/C in the first two rounds based on best player available.
LG/C: Barret Jones in the first round. Otherwise take a LB and go LG/C in the second.
LB: CJ Mosely, Alec Ogletree in the first round if Jones isn't there. Khaseem Greene or Gerald Hodges in the second if we are lucky enough to get Jones in the first.
CB: 4th round. Desmond Trufant, Tyrann Mathieu. Travis Howard or Nigel Malone.
WR/TE: 5th round. Whichever is best and left of Josh Boyce, Chad Bumphis, Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Kyler Reed, Lucas Reed.
Last pick: Hopefully there is a QB or RB that Emery likes, possibly Marcus Lattimore. Otherwise get best player available.

heir_jordan22 wrote:RB: Nice group of special teamers and speedsters. La'Rod Srephens-Howling, Bernard Scott. maybe Felix Jones.

Whoa. Forte has a $30.4 million contract and Bush has a four-year, $14 million contract. We definitely do not need another RB, we have 4 passable RBs in Forte, Bush, Allen, and Bell. And RBs don't work really well as returners, usually that job goes to WRs or CBs. No more RBs.

And no one really knows if Knox will be back after that crazy injury. Even if he does come back, we would still need another WR to take the top off the defense.

Jake0890 wrote:

heir_jordan22 wrote:RB: Nice group of special teamers and speedsters. La'Rod Srephens-Howling, Bernard Scott. maybe Felix Jones.

Whoa. Forte has a $30.4 million contract and Bush has a four-year, $14 million contract. We definitely do not need another RB, we have 4 passable RBs in Forte, Bush, Allen, and Bell. And RBs don't work really well as returners, usually that job goes to WRs or CBs. No more RBs.

And no one really knows if Knox will be back after that crazy injury. Even if he does come back, we would still need another WR to take the top off the defense.

Allen and Bell are both free agents. We might keep them, we might not. But if we got Howling or Scott they would be cheap and much more dynamic than Bell and Allen IMO. Plus they are good special teams contributors.

I have us possibly taking a WR in the back end of the draft. Boyce and Bumphis are both burners who are actually receivers, unlike Hester.