Bears 2023 thread V

[jnrjr79]

I keep thinking that, assuming Fields is back for the remainder of the season, there is basically no level of play that could cause the Bears to stick with him over drafting Williams/Maye. It would have to be just outrageously good.

In the event that happened and the Carolina pick was #1 or #2, I imagine you could get a pretty big haul to trade down to #3 and select Harrison, Jr. But I have a hard time imagining the Bears doing that, because 1) Fields' total body of work has not been great, 2) this regime didn't draft him, 3) the top couple QBs are supposed to be much better than typical prospects (i.e. much better than last year's or 2025's crop), and 4) it probably buys Poles more time with Warren/ownership/fanbase.

I agree with all of this, but there's a pretty good chance we simply won't have that opportunity without trading up and giving up a massive haul. In that scenario, maybe you're high enough on Fields that you don't want to give up a ton of value to role the dice on one of those guys.

I definitely agree if Carolina doesn't get a top 2 pick, then the "do you keep Fields" question becomes more complicated. Though there are definitely some other interesting QB prospects in the draft, so one wonders whether you might pick Harrison at #3 via Carolina, but still draft a QB with the Bears' own 1R pick.

Interestingly, SI"s mock draft yesterday has the Bears drafting Maye at 2 and Williams falling to 4.

[GinWeary]

What happens if the Bears fall out of position to draft Williams or Maye? I'm not saying that CAR is likely to win 2 or 3 more games, but what if they do, and the Bears picks are 4 & 8?

I don't watch enough CFB to have a strong opinion on the 2nd tier QBs in this draft, but many mocks show that McCarthy and Pennix might go around the teens to early 20's.

What's the better way to build a team? Reach for a 2nd tier QB or draft two top end talents at other positions of need? I'm not sure I want to constantly keep trading back either to accumulate more picks, when we also desperately need top end talent on this roster at multiple positions.

I feel like we are so desperate for an elite QB, that we'll sacrifice good in the pursuit of perfection, which is never guaranteed in the draft.

Some mocks have Bo Nix and JJ McCarthy in the top 10, so I don't think it will be that much of a reach to take one of them with one of the picks (probably our own).

Some do, but many of the mocks are all over the place and there are no two mocks that are even comparable - outside of maybe the top 5. I get it, it is still way too early to think about the draft in that much depth with college games left to be played, potential injuries, and the combine/measurements before the Bears determine their priorities.

If they can't take Williams or Maye, and are in a position to shore up two other positions of need, I'd much rather them do that than take a QB that they are "meh" on just because the pressure is there on that position. I might be wrong, but I don't think McCarthy or Nix are as high on any board as guys like MHJ, Fashanu, Bowers, etc.

[nomorezorro]

What happens if the Bears fall out of position to draft Williams or Maye? I'm not saying that CAR is likely to win 2 or 3 more games, but what if they do, and the Bears picks are 4 & 8?

i think the ideal play in this scenario is to manage a trade back that positions you to take a flier on a QB on day 2 (or late in the first round) while still leaving you in a place where you're able to draft two tier-1 or tier-2 prospects with your first two picks. (e.g. - trade down from 4 to 10-11 while picking up a high second round pick)

here's who's currently on my "we're in a good place as long as we can draft two of these guys" board:

qb: maye, williams
lt: fashanu, alt
wr: harrison jr., nabers, coleman, oduze
te: bowers
edge: dallas turner, maybe 1-2 of chop robinson/laiatu latu/jared verse

definitely wouldn't draft mccarthy in the top 15-20 unless he closes out the year strong; he's more interesting to me as a kind of developmental prospect who you can bring along slowly if needed. would love to be able to draft jayden daniels in the late first or early second. penix is more of a round 3 guy to me, although my interest in him rises if you're able to draft one of the top LTs and WRs — he seems like a particularly good option to plug into an offense that is loaded with talent

[jmajew]

In all honesty, I don't see any glaring holes on this team. The biggest needs are a good 3-technique on the D-Line, a replacement for Jackson at FS, a center, and better depth.

Our depth, I believe, has been one of our biggest issues with our season so far. When Brisker, Davis, Jones, Jackson, and Gordon had been out we didn't have enough depth to make up for them missing. At LB we have Sanborn who is a great depth piece filling in full time for Edmunds.

The injuries in the defensive backfield were made even more glaring by our lack of a pass rush. I'm hopeful Sweat helps fix that.

Surprisingly, I'm optimistic and I think if we use the same gameplan with Fields that we have done with Bagen the offense will get substantially better. Glass half-full today.

[Almost Retired]

What happens if the Bears fall out of position to draft Williams or Maye? I'm not saying that CAR is likely to win 2 or 3 more games, but what if they do, and the Bears picks are 4 & 8?

I don't watch enough CFB to have a strong opinion on the 2nd tier QBs in this draft, but many mocks show that McCarthy and Pennix might go around the teens to early 20's.

What's the better way to build a team? Reach for a 2nd tier QB or draft two top end talents at other positions of need? I'm not sure I want to constantly keep trading back either to accumulate more picks, when we also desperately need top end talent on this roster at multiple positions.

I feel like we are so desperate for an elite QB, that we'll sacrifice good in the pursuit of perfection, which is never guaranteed in the draft.

Some mocks have Bo Nix and JJ McCarthy in the top 10, so I don't think it will be that much of a reach to take one of them with one of the picks (probably our own).

A lot depends on how the Picks end up slotting out. I don't think Arizona drafts a QB. They have an albatross of a contract with Kyler Murray. Most Mocks have them picking Harrison. Which makes sense, though I would love for the Bears to Draft him instead. He's a future All Pro at one of the high value Positions. He immediately makes his QB better, whoever he is. I'm not totally sold on Caleb or Maye. Nix is a little older but with that comes more experience. Pennix has the knee history, so he's off my wish list. McCarthy might be acceptable. He's the youngest of the QBs likely to go in the First Round. We could trade down from #1, get a haul, and use our own pick on Nix or McCarthy. We need more playmakers. And a new coaching staff in all likelihood.

[Almost Retired]

In all honesty, I don't see any glaring holes on this team. The biggest needs are a good 3-technique on the D-Line, a replacement for Jackson at FS, a center, and better depth.

Our depth, I believe, has been one of our biggest issues with our season so far. When Brisker, Davis, Jones, Jackson, and Gordon had been out we didn't have enough depth to make up for them missing. At LB we have Sanborn who is a great depth piece filling in full time for Edmunds.

The injuries in the defensive backfield were made even more glaring by our lack of a pass rush. I'm hopeful Sweat helps fix that.

Surprisingly, I'm optimistic and I think if we use the same gameplan with Fields that we have done with Bagen the offense will get substantially better. Glass half-full today.

You are right, despite our record. We need a few more playmakers on Offense and Defense. That means another potentially elite WR, and there are a few in this Draft. And an upgrade at a few Defensive slots. Maybe Latu or another Edge to play opposite of Sweat. I really like T'Vondre Sweat of Texas in the Third round. Fridge 2.0. He looks fat but is surprisingly fast. And he's strong. He's a big 3 Tech at about 360 pounds.

[Chi town]

I keep thinking that, assuming Fields is back for the remainder of the season, there is basically no level of play that could cause the Bears to stick with him over drafting Williams/Maye. It would have to be just outrageously good.

In the event that happened and the Carolina pick was #1 or #2, I imagine you could get a pretty big haul to trade down to #3 and select Harrison, Jr. But I have a hard time imagining the Bears doing that, because 1) Fields' total body of work has not been great, 2) this regime didn't draft him, 3) the top couple QBs are supposed to be much better than typical prospects (i.e. much better than last year's or 2025's crop), and 4) it probably buys Poles more time with Warren/ownership/fanbase.

I agree with all of this, but there's a pretty good chance we simply won't have that opportunity without trading up and giving up a massive haul. In that scenario, maybe you're high enough on Fields that you don't want to give up a ton of value to role the dice on one of those guys.

I definitely agree if Carolina doesn't get a top 2 pick, then the "do you keep Fields" question becomes more complicated. Though there are definitely some other interesting QB prospects in the draft, so one wonders whether you might pick Harrison at #3 via Carolina, but still draft a QB with the Bears' own 1R pick.

Interestingly, SI"s mock draft yesterday has the Bears drafting Maye at 2 and Williams falling to 4.

That’s exactly what you do. MHJ is the best player in the draft. You take him and a QB with Bears pick.

[MalagaBulls]

Patrick is just terrible, he gets thrown on his @$$ quite a bit. But Jenkins got thrown to the ground too.

Read on Twitter

[dougthonus]

Right now, we have a 43% chance of the #1 overall, according to ESPN. I don't know what it is for top 2. But even if we don't get Maye or Caleb, there are other QB's we could target.

I don't know a lot about the QBs in the draft, but by reputation, I don't know that we'd just draft any QB just to replace Fields. It's different comparing him to a guy that looks like a likely franchise QB and someone else.

[Chi town]

No way Harbaugh joins the Bears. He will want to be GM and Coach like Belicheck.

Poles won’t be giving Harbaugh his job.

[fleet]

Penix had 2 ACLs and a separated shoulder.

McCarthy has the processing questions.

If you’re moving on from Fields, you might want a more clean prospect than he was. Especially if trading down into one

[Chi town]

https://www.tankathon.com/nfl/mock_draft

My guy Latu top edge now. #8.

Just need two of these guys…

Williams
MHJ
Bowers
Latu
Keon Coleman

In that order.

[dice]

The Bears need to take the two best players (no trade down, the Bears need elite talent) in the draft and neither QB fit's the description. I can live with Fields/Bagent/Day 3 for another year if you draft MHJ/Fashanu (or Alt). This overwhelming need to draft a QB because you have to is to me. Don't draft a QB until you can put said QB in the best position to succeed and right now the Bears cannot do that.

no teem needs elite talent except at the QB position. i cannot reiterate this enough. you win with good coaching, good QB play and VALUE CONTRACTS (performance over cost). if you have enough value contracts you end up with high talent levels throughout the roster. generally that means some elite talent, but not always

fill holes first. because obvious weaknesses get laser focused on and exploited. it's a fundamental football truth. see tyrique stevenson this season

taking fashanu if braxton is playing well is poor cost control. it is short-sighted. yes, fashanu will probably be the better player (PROBABLY!). but there are other considerations. my simulated drafts the past 2 weeks have the bears drafting maye and trading down from #4 with their other pick under the assumption that braxton finishes the season well. in 1 case they take a WR late in the 1st round (is scott really starting WR caliber?), in the other a free safety (to replace jackson and hopefully give us a foundational secondary for years to come). and in both cases, of course, picking up an additional high draft pick or two in the process

filling 2-3 holes rather than merely upgrading 1 is just so obviously better strategy

upgrade (?) jones to fashanu and keep overpaying eddie jackson because there is no good alternative? or keep a dirt cheap, good performing LT, draft a blue chip free safety and add an additional 1st round pick in the process? pretty easy choice for me

upgrade jones to fashanu and keep tyler scott as your 3rd receiver? or stick w/ jones, draft a WR in the first round and add a couple more 2nd round picks in the process? again, easy choice

but i have little confidence at this point that poles won't take your advice

[dice]

We will have to see how Fields does over the rest of the season. We have some tough games coming, especially the two against Detroit. The best scenario would be for Fields to show competence, at least enough to give him one more year. Maybe he would look better with a starting WR core of Dj Moore, Marvin Harrison Jr and Darnell Moody in the slot. And then add Fashanu at left tackle, who hasn't given up a sack all year. If we add Fashanu we are set at starting tackles for the next 8 years (barring injury). The right side of the line is looking good with Wright and Jenkins. We just need to upgrade from Whitehair and Patrick and we'd have a pretty good O-Line. We have depth at RB. It could be that Getsy is the bigger problem, not Fields.

I don't think you can for the simple reason that the following year's QB class doesn't look nearly as good. You give him another year, and he doesn't pan out or he looks like he has for his career and now you're stuck overpaying for a QB in a trade and wages, OR you're taking a shot at a QB or Shadeur Sanders stayed at Colorado and you sucked so hard that you had a chance to draft him.

why are you assuming that sanders's draft stock will rise substantially next year? if that was the general assumption, teams would save time and draft him highly THIS season. QBs have seen their stock drop by staying an extra year too

[nitetrain8603]

https://www.tankathon.com/nfl/mock_draft

My guy Latu top edge now. #8.

Just need two of these guys…

Williams
MHJ
Bowers
Latu
Keon Coleman

In that order.

Unless you are trading Cole for a pick (which is not a bad idea btw), drafting Bowers with as many holes as this team doesn't make sense. You could argue MHJ because Mooney is a FA who's often injured, and MHJ is best player in the draft at the 2nd highest valued position.

Bears should go Maye MHJ IMO. Bagent plays closer to Maye in playing style if he needs to step in.

[dice]

I keep thinking that, assuming Fields is back for the remainder of the season, there is basically no level of play that could cause the Bears to stick with him over drafting Williams/Maye. It would have to be just outrageously good.

In the event that happened and the Carolina pick was #1 or #2, I imagine you could get a pretty big haul to trade down to #3 and select Harrison, Jr. But I have a hard time imagining the Bears doing that, because 1) Fields' total body of work has not been great, 2) this regime didn't draft him, 3) the top couple QBs are supposed to be much better than typical prospects (i.e. much better than last year's or 2025's crop), and 4) it probably buys Poles more time with Warren/ownership/fanbase.

I agree with all of this, but there's a pretty good chance we simply won't have that opportunity without trading up and giving up a massive haul. In that scenario, maybe you're high enough on Fields that you don't want to give up a ton of value to role the dice on one of those guys.

I definitely agree if Carolina doesn't get a top 2 pick, then the "do you keep Fields" question becomes more complicated. Though there are definitely some other interesting QB prospects in the draft, so one wonders whether you might pick Harrison at #3 via Carolina, but still draft a QB with the Bears' own 1R pick.

Interestingly, SI"s mock draft yesterday has the Bears drafting Maye at 2 and Williams falling to 4.

is a fantastical scenario

bears could certainly end up w/ maye at 3 if harrison goes #2. unlikely, but far from outlandish. if, for example, the packers get even worse and end up #2, they could stick w/ love (who has been respectable at least in his first real season) and draft marvin

[dice]

https://www.tankathon.com/nfl/mock_draft

My guy Latu top edge now. #8.

Just need two of these guys…

Williams
MHJ
Bowers
Latu
Keon Coleman

In that order.

Unless you are trading Cole for a pick (which is not a bad idea btw), drafting Bowers with as many holes as this team doesn't make sense. You could argue MHJ because Mooney is a FA who's often injured, and MHJ is best player in the draft at the 2nd highest valued position.

Bears should go Maye MHJ IMO. Bagent plays closer to Maye in playing style if he needs to step in.

if mooney's price is low (it shouldn't be high!) you can re-sign him, make him the #3 and also draft marvin

[Almost Retired]

Patrick is just terrible, he gets thrown on his @$$ quite a bit. But Jenkins got thrown to the ground too.

Read on Twitter

Jenkins got taken out by Patrick. That was just a comically bad play for Patrick. We so need an upgrade at Center. If we hadn't traded our 2nd rounder we could have picked up Sedrick Van Pran in the upcoming Draft. Best Center prospect by a wide margin. If we can't get him I also like Bryce Foster at Texas A&M. Very stout. Very strong. Needs coaching to upgrade his techniques. But with sub 5.0 second speed in the 40 he has pretty good athleticism for a 330 pound human being.

[Jimako10]

Penix had 2 ACLs and a separated shoulder.

McCarthy has the processing questions.

If you’re moving on from Fields, you might want a more clean prospect than he was. Especially if trading down into one

If you could only draft one of Maye or MHJ, what route are you taking?

Assuming you're on the Maye bandwagon of course and out on Caleb.

[Almost Retired]

https://www.tankathon.com/nfl/mock_draft

My guy Latu top edge now. #8.

Just need two of these guys…

Williams
MHJ
Bowers
Latu
Keon Coleman

In that order.

Unless you are trading Cole for a pick (which is not a bad idea btw), drafting Bowers with as many holes as this team doesn't make sense. You could argue MHJ because Mooney is a FA who's often injured, and MHJ is best player in the draft at the 2nd highest valued position.

Bears should go Maye MHJ IMO. Bagent plays closer to Maye in playing style if he needs to step in.

if mooney's price is low (it shouldn't be high!) you can re-sign him, make him the #3 and also draft marvin

With a tripe WR threat of Moore, Harrison and Mooney I think even Fields could enjoy some success. With a new OC of course. Someone who could develop an offense that suits what Fields can do and not try to squeeze Fields into a system that doesn't utilize his strengths. He should be in an offense that uses him rolling out and in RPOs. I don't want Fields running for his life. Just enough to keep defenses guessing. Getting first downs with is legs when nobody can get open. Keep him in the pocket less than half of his snaps. Keep defensive lines off balance. Fields is not Aaron Rogers. No matter how hard Getsy tries to mold him into being like Rogers.