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OK, this isn't "who the hell do you want?" - this is more "who the hell do you think the Bears will pick?"

Yeah, it's 3 months until the draft but I'm bored and willing to put my neck on the line. After reading comments by Angelo, Lovie, and Turner, here's my thought process.

Defensive Line - Despite the lack of sacks, I genuinely think the coaching staff - right or wrong - thinks Rod Marinelli can make the current squad better in their current state.

Linebackers - I'd personally be tempted if Maualuga slipped or if Florida's Spikes had gone pro but I doubt the Bears brass shares my feelings here. They're probably happy with Urlacher/Briggs and whoever wins out between J Williams, Roach, and Hillenmeyer.

Defensive Backs - Definite need but Tillman/Vasher/Graham are acceptable enough at CB to not call it a 1st round need. Safety's the position that needs the attention but there's probably one guy with a first round grade in William Moore and he may well go before #18. Probably a better 2nd or 3rd round target.

Running Back - Set with Forte. Will look at the second part of the 1-2 punch either in free agency or later rounds.

Tight End - Set with Olsen, Clark, and Davis.

Quarterback - Don't get me started. I've stated my case in wanting Sanchez should he slide past the 49ers who pick at #10. He won't last to #18 and the Bears simply do not trade up. It just doesn't happen. Angelo wants competition for Orton, I just doubt it'll be in the form of a 1st round pick (no matter what I want).

Wide Receiver - BIG BIG need and Turner's on record saying as much. Crabtree is the perfect fit to what we want and he'll be long gone. I see Maclin as too much of a Hester clone and something tells me Harvin isn't the guy, either. I could see bigger targets like UNC's Hakeem Nicks or Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey shooting into the 1st round if they show up big in the combine but they're still not my prediction.

Offensive Line - THIS is where I'm going, as unsexy as an offensive line pick is (especially two years in a row). Turner was just quoted as offensive line help being a need. St. Clair is an unrestricted free agent and gets owned by Jared Allen besides that. Tait is about to turn 34 and entering the last year of his contract. Kreutz will be 32 by the start of next season and off his former pro-bowl form. Beekman and Garza (30) are your average guards and our rookie tackle Chris Williams is a complete unknown after breaking down after one day in camp though we all remain optimistic (don't we?). The depth is so bad we had to dig up Fred Miller from the grave. If you "get off the bus running the ball" you need a better OL.

Therefore....my prediction is the best OT available if we stay at #18 and that man will be......

This guy :


OT Eben Britton 6'6", 310 Arizona. Converted TE started every game at right tackle for Arizona his first two years there and moved to left tackle this past year and just declared himself eligible for the '09 draft. He's ultra-athletic and runs a 5.0 in the 40. Adept in pass blocking and good at reaching the second level with his run blocks.

Yeah, offensive line picks are boring but that's my prediction just the same. And, yeah, I'm bound to change it but that's what I'm predicting today. Is it necessarily what I WANT the Bears to do? Not really - but that's not what this is about.

I'm all ears as to who the other regulars on the board - at this early date - think the Bears are going to draft but you probably all agree with me anyway. No ?

While I don't support your political propaganda (Is RealGM really the appropriate forum for that?) I do agree with your FOOTBALL analysis in general.

I do not think the Bears will use their 1st round pick on a "skill" position (WR, CB, QB, and obviously not TE or RB). More likely JA uses free agency to pick up a WR (Keeping in mind we drafted WR last year) and a backup running back and maybe even a starting safety (haven't looked at whose available) They have too much money tied up in the LB position to go that direction at all. I'm not sure there is a safety they would want where they draft to use a #1 either.

Thus, I'm convinced the line is where they will go. The Question I have is OL or DL? I see the OL as much more stable, promising and easier to tweak than most. I think they will resign St. Clair. I also think that they believe Beekman is OK's eventual replacement at Center (he played center at BC). Williams is our LT of the future and they are not worried about the injury. We can pick up a guard in the 2nd or 3rd round or in free agency. That leaves RT as the position in question.

On the DL, I agree that they think the coaching changes they made will lead to better line play. TH coming off a season without surgery along with coaching from RM could lead to steller play - I actually believe it will. We have Alex Brown, Dusty and Harrision as well. That leaves Ogunleye as the real question mark - Is he done?

So if I was them (and I am them) it comes down to Tait vs Ogunleye. Which one is closer to being done and which position is harder to get an elite player to play the position? And, which position has the greatest impact? I could easily see them going OT and would be happy with that. But Lovie needs a pass rusher and 18th pick could land an elite DE (especially studying under Lovie & RM). Plus RT is easier to get in free agency (and for a lot less) than DE.

So I say they go DE this year and RT next year.

And my DE is.....wait for it.......wait for it......

Tyson Jackson DE, LSU (6'5", 290 lbs)

Good posts guys. I don't agree with all of it but at least y'all know both football and your team.

I really think they are going either DT or WR with the first pick. I know they are treating Dvoracek as if he's not there and will take whatever he can contribute as gravy. I also believe Ogunleye is squarely on the chopping block, but Marinelli has already adopted Mark Anderson as his pet project and they still love Alex Brown, so I don't anticipate a DE until the middle rounds. The whispers about Tommie Harris' knee never being the same are louder, and Lovie's D absolutely cannot succeed without a very strong DT duo.

I tend to believe they will go defense and look for a 3-technique DT. That would be Peria Jerry of Ole Miss, and Bears fans should be very happy with him. I know one Bears scout has a huge man-crush on Jeremy Maclin and it would be real hard for Angelo to pass on him if he's still on the board, but I don't see that being a possibility.

FYI the Bears spent an inordinate amount of time in Mobile looking at and talking to Brian Robiskie, Patrick Turner, and Derrick Williams--all of whom fit in the 2nd round mix at WR.

emperorjones wrote:While I don't support your political propaganda (Is RealGM really the appropriate forum for that?) I do agree with your FOOTBALL analysis in general.

I do not think the Bears will use their 1st round pick on a "skill" position (WR, CB, QB, and obviously not TE or RB). More likely JA uses free agency to pick up a WR (Keeping in mind we drafted WR last year) and a backup running back and maybe even a starting safety (haven't looked at whose available) They have too much money tied up in the LB position to go that direction at all. I'm not sure there is a safety they would want where they draft to use a #1 either.

Thus, I'm convinced the line is where they will go. The Question I have is OL or DL? I see the OL as much more stable, promising and easier to tweak than most. I think they will resign St. Clair. I also think that they believe Beekman is OK's eventual replacement at Center (he played center at BC). Williams is our LT of the future and they are not worried about the injury. We can pick up a guard in the 2nd or 3rd round or in free agency. That leaves RT as the position in question.

On the DL, I agree that they think the coaching changes they made will lead to better line play. TH coming off a season without surgery along with coaching from RM could lead to steller play - I actually believe it will. We have Alex Brown, Dusty and Harrision as well. That leaves Ogunleye as the real question mark - Is he done?

So if I was them (and I am them) it comes down to Tait vs Ogunleye. Which one is closer to being done and which position is harder to get an elite player to play the position? And, which position has the greatest impact? I could easily see them going OT and would be happy with that. But Lovie needs a pass rusher and 18th pick could land an elite DE (especially studying under Lovie & RM). Plus RT is easier to get in free agency (and for a lot less) than DE.

So I say they go DE this year and RT next year.

And my DE is.....wait for it.......wait for it......

Tyson Jackson DE, LSU (6'5", 290 lbs)

You seem to know a lot for a girl - maybe you can do some babysitting for me sometime ?

Thanks for putting your neck out there - it's good to have some company in the early prediction game. Jackson would be intriguing - 290lbs for a DE seems to be on the large size to me. I wonder how quickly he can get around NFL OTs at that weight. If Ogunleye is on the way out, I could see DE as a real option. Of course, I wouldn't mind going the free agency route at that position. Some good (and expensive) options out there.

Icness wrote:Good posts guys. I don't agree with all of it but at least y'all know both football and your team.

I really think they are going either DT or WR with the first pick. I know they are treating Dvoracek as if he's not there and will take whatever he can contribute as gravy. I also believe Ogunleye is squarely on the chopping block, but Marinelli has already adopted Mark Anderson as his pet project and they still love Alex Brown, so I don't anticipate a DE until the middle rounds. The whispers about Tommie Harris' knee never being the same are louder, and Lovie's D absolutely cannot succeed without a very strong DT duo.

I tend to believe they will go defense and look for a 3-technique DT. That would be Peria Jerry of Ole Miss, and Bears fans should be very happy with him. I know one Bears scout has a huge man-crush on Jeremy Maclin and it would be real hard for Angelo to pass on him if he's still on the board, but I don't see that being a possibility.

FYI the Bears spent an inordinate amount of time in Mobile looking at and talking to Brian Robiskie, Patrick Turner, and Derrick Williams--all of whom fit in the 2nd round mix at WR.

Thanks for the inside scoop, Icness. The crush on Maclin is interesting to me - not because he isn't a quality receiver but because he doesn't seem to be a fit with Hester. They do similar things - give them the ball in stride and hope they can jitterbug their way through traffic for yardage. I would think we'd be looking for a bigger red zone target. Agreed that WR is the biggest need, I'm just not sure the right guy will be there at #18 which could necessitate a move down or looking at Rd2 as you suggested. The free agency cupboard is BARE at that position.

Regarding going after a DT, I thought the Bears were happy with 3rd round pick Marcus Harrison who saw good minutes in his rookie season?

I need to look up some video of Jerry, Robiskie, Turner, and D Williams now ! I love the off-season.

Tyson Jackson would be an awful pick. He's best suited as a DE in a 3-4.

Michael Oher, Jeremy Maclin, Everette Brown, Mark Sanchez, DHB, or Raji.

I'd love a trade up for Oher or Monroe.

Patrick Turner is a 2nd rounder? Career underachiever. I can't say I would be on board with that one..

WAYSA wrote:Tyson Jackson would be an awful pick. He's best suited as a DE in a 3-4.

Michael Oher, Jeremy Maclin, Everette Brown, Mark Sanchez, DHB, or Raji.

I'd love a trade up for Oher or Monroe.

Patrick Turner is a 2nd rounder? Career underachiever. I can't say I would be on board with that one..

I'm thinking most, if not all, of those guys will be gone by #18. If you had to pick ONE, WAYSA, what's your prediction ?

Icness wrote: I also believe Ogunleye is squarely on the chopping block, but Marinelli has already adopted Mark Anderson as his pet project

You seem to know what's going on on the ground - so I take this as possibly the best news I've heard in a while. If true then I would agree they may rely on RM's opinion if MA can become the stud he was as a rookie. If he thinks so then yes, they will not go DE. But like Chewie said, I thought they were pretty happy with Harrison dropping into their lap last year.

Looking at some of the draft boards it doesn't seem like a OT worthy of #18 will be there?

If the above holds true, I think the Bears will trade down to the end of the 1st round and pick up a 3rd round pick and flip flop in another round. Anyone have a link to that silly draft pick trade chart that all the teams are in love with?

Chewie the Neo Conservative wrote:You seem to know a lot for a girl - maybe you can do some babysitting for me sometime ?

Maybe, Can you see Russia from your house? Actually my parents saw your signature and say I can't associate with people like you. They suggest you move to a big city and get some culture.

If Mark Sanchez is still on the board at 18 we have to go with him. If he's gone Maclin is my 2nd option.

SportsWorld wrote:If Mark Sanchez is still on the board at 18 we have to go with him. If he's gone Maclin is my 2nd option.

You're playing the 'who the hell do you want?' game - the question is....'who do you think the Bears will pick?"

And thanks for taking care of that thing....

Oher has been my #1 guy all year.

Mel Kiper has us taking Tyson Jackson in his first Mock Draft

emperorjones wrote:Mel Kiper has us taking Tyson Jackson in his first Mock Draft

I'm so sick of Mel copying you.

emperorjones wrote:Mel Kiper has us taking Tyson Jackson in his first Mock Draft

And that is your rebuttal? Tyson is not a pass rusher. He's going to be best suited as 3-4 DE.

WAYSA wrote:

emperorjones wrote:Mel Kiper has us taking Tyson Jackson in his first Mock Draft

And that is your rebuttal? Tyson is not a pass rusher. He's going to be best suited as 3-4 DE.

I don't happen to agree with the prediction either but the fact that Kiper - who does this as his CAREER and has for some time - has him slotted to the Bears at this point counts for something.

WAYSA wrote:

emperorjones wrote:Mel Kiper has us taking Tyson Jackson in his first Mock Draft

And that is your rebuttal? Tyson is not a pass rusher. He's going to be best suited as 3-4 DE.

I wasn't making this statement in regards to your post. Mel's ESPN site is for subscribers only and I was posting that information (mainly because its against forum rules to copy & paste his whole mock draft) for those who may not know it.

As for your post, I think Tyson might look very good next to TH with Mark Anderson taking AO's spot. What do you think about MA (if RM can coach him back to rookie form), TJ, TH and AB as a front four?

The other DE in the draft seem a bit on the small side to me.

WAYSA wrote:Michael Oher, Jeremy Maclin, Everette Brown, Mark Sanchez, DHB, or Raji.

I'd love a trade up for Oher or Monroe.

FYI Mel has:

Eugene Monroe going 8th
Michael Oher going 28th
Jeremy Maclin going 7th
Everette Brown going 15th (and the 2nd DE off the board behind Brian Orakpo)
Mark Sanchez going 3rd
DHB going 25th and
Raji going 12th

I'd be happy, but I can't imagine a realistic scenario where the Bears traded up in the 1st round. Anyone remember the last time we did that?

Seems like MO would be in the mix if we traded down (which I think is a high probability). I'd be happy with that. I would NOT be happy with the Bears going WR in the 1st round. I'd rather fill this spot with a proven FA. No chance Sanchez drops to us IMO. I'd be happy with Raji at DT as well.

At 6'4"/252 lbs I couldn't see us drafting Everette Brown as our full time DE.

BTW : I think either Tait or AO (maybe both) will be released before the draft.

I honestly believe that a lot of "who" the Bears pick will depend on where they decide to pick in the draft...I know that's kind of a dumb comment to make but here's my thinking.

I tend to agree with most of you, and I hope the Bears do as well, that if they decide to draft a WR or OT, there really is nobody worth taking with the 18th pick...it would be too high for most guys unless in the unlikely event someone drops but I doubt it.

I believe this means one of two things, if Jerry Angelo stays at #18 he will pick a DE. If Angelo sees no value in DE as well then he will attempt to trade down into the late first round and pick up an extra 3rd round pick or a fourth and swap up in the 3rd round if there is a match out there. With the pick in the late first round I see Angelo going OL...he'll get a WR with the 3rd or 4th round pick.

But what do I really think will happen? I think Sanchez is going to catch a case of Brady Quinn, fall down to #18 and give the Bears a chance to draft him. Every Chicago Bear fan will be screaming at their television sets to draft Sanchez, people will be excited. And then Angelo will draft some Division 1AA CB that was projected to go in the low 3rd round.

Seriously though, I want Darius Heyward-Bey but since this is a who I think they will take thread, I will say Michael Johnson.

Whoa! Mel had Oher going at #28, emperor ??

What's funny is scout.com is in love with Oher, especially after the Senior Bowl. He's on their list of "risers" :

Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

In a draft that has four premier offensive tackles (three being seniors), Oher was the only senior OT to participate in the Senior Bowl, and he made the most of his participation. He was the most athletic and dominant tackle in Mobile. He's quick off the snap, shows good lateral movement and uses his hands effectively. He has moments of inconsistency, but his ability to lock down the blind side and protect a quarterback will go a long way when NFL teams evaluate him.

One of those inconsistent moments happened during the game when he was called for a holding penalty on a 4th-and-1 situation. Clemson's James Davis got the first down, but Oher got a hold of North DE Cody Brown (Connecticut), which forced the South to punt. Oher is my top-ranked offensive tackle in the draft, and my opinion hasn't changed after this week. He's a legitimate top five pick.

I don't know what to think now. I would've said Oher if I thought he was going to last to #18 but I still doubt he will.

Soooo....here's what we have thus far :

Chewie: E Briton, OT
emperorjones: T Jackson, DE/DT
Icness: P Jerry, DT
Sportsworld: M Sanchez, QB
WAYSA: M Oher, OT
Ruben Douglas: Michael Johnson, DE

We should probably do this again at the 2 month and 1 month mark. I'm sure we're all bound to change our predictions as these guys get scrutinized even more.

Chewie wrote:Whoa! Mel had Oher going at #28, emperor ??

What's funny is scout.com is in love with Oher, especially after the Senior Bowl. He's on their list of "risers" :

Yep, he has the OTs going in this order:

Andre Smith #2
Jason Smith #6
Eugene Monroe #8
Michael Oher #28

I believe his mock might be pre-Senior bowl? Not sure about that though.

My thoughts:


Soooo....here's what we have thus far :

Chewie: E Briton, OT
emperorjones: T Jackson, DE/DT
Icness: P Jerry, DT
Sportsworld: M Sanchez, QB
WAYSA: M Oher, OT
Ruben Douglas: Michael Johnson, DE

IMO if we go anywhere other than RB, WR, TE, CB or QB I'm happy. Guess that says alot about how many needs we have huh?

emperorjones wrote:

Chewie wrote:Whoa! Mel had Oher going at #28, emperor ??

What's funny is scout.com is in love with Oher, especially after the Senior Bowl. He's on their list of "risers" :

Yep, he has the OTs going in this order:

Andre Smith #2
Jason Smith #6
Eugene Monroe #8
Michael Oher #28

I believe his mock might be pre-Senior bowl? Not sure about that though.

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

Back in the day, I was a huge draft nerd. I would order Kiper's big draft book and update sheets and Pro Football Weekly's book, order up some pizzas and make a weekend out of it. I'd figure out all the team needs and mock up a good 4 rounds. There was something oddly cathartic about seeing how the actual picks matched up with my own. With 3 kids now, it's a little difficult - I'll get the first round in then I can only peek in from time to time as the Bears picks come up. So sad.