Bears 11.0: Free Agency, College Pro days, Draft & beyond

[JohnnyKILLroy]

I’m down with both trades. We need immediate help so I get it.

Still doesn’t change the fact that Poles still needs to go all-in in the trenches on both sides of the ball. These trades shouldn’t be a go ahead and let’s get cute and draft the Jeantys of the world.

[nomorezorro]

i do think these moves affect how you approach the #10 pick in that i would be disinclined to go after an OL who i expect to probably have to kick inside to guard. less interested in campbell, only interested in membou if you think he can swing over to LT, booker is completely off the board

still out on jeanty, because i think a first-round DL or LT+day 2 RB is likely to be a better combo than the reverse

[Dresden]

This draft is so deep in RB's. Round 3 should be enough to get a good one. OTH, if you really believe Jeanty is a Saquan Barkley type game changer, you have to at least give it some thought.

But if we can get a center in FA now, we'll have the O line is good shape, and can be pretty flexible with those first 3 picks. We could use 2 on the D line and one another OL. Then take a back in the third. So something along those lines. So many good fb's though, I'd be surprised if we didn't grab one somewhere in the draft.

[Dresden]

Poles has already exceeded my expectations for the off season as far as fixing the O line is concerned. And we haven't even hit FA. This is definitely an MO for Poles now- he likes making trades rather than using FA to get the players he really covets. It's just another way to use your cap space, even if you have to throw in some low round picks.

[sco]

I’m a fan of both trades. How many times do you hit on a 6th round pick? How good is that 2026 4th round pick going to be?

It’s hard to get offensive linemen. The Patriots have more cap space than any other franchise and they’re 1 of 32 teams that would like to improve their o-line.

I’d much prefer these trades than trading multiple 1sts for a DE. Maybe take back Khalil Mack and take a DE in the draft. We still have 3 picks in the first 2 rounds, so even if you take a DE 1st you could still use both 2nds on OL.

I think something about these trades is that they indicate that poles and Johnson are in win now mode. So it will not be surprising if we got after vets help winning now vs signing younger guys who can be helpful in a semi-rebuild.

I think this also moves the needle more towards resigning Allen

I liked Allen, but I would rather spend the $ on other needs. The question is whether we can count on Rome as a true #2 option. Also the fact that we didn't throw to TE's last year despite talent there suggests to me that we had a surplus of capable pass catchers (and a deficit of so many other key needs).

[patryk7754]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=TheFootballScout

Here's a decent break down of Jonah Jackson

[patryk7754]

Tyler Lockett was cut. I assume he gets less than 10m. for something around 5-8m he'd be a really good WR3 option for us

[Dresden]

Tyler Lockett was cut. I assume he gets less than 10m. for something around 5-8m he'd be a really good WR3 option for us

I agree. Keenan was a good pickup at the time, but now we have Rome, plus other guys like Scott and Colin Johnson, I'd rather do as you suggest and sign someone like Lockett for maybe half what Allen will cost. Devante Adams was also cut recently wasn't he?

[JohnnyKILLroy]

Keenan Allen gross. Odunze needs to step up and and so does Kmet and in this draft that’s deep in TE talent I’d rather get one of those and a TE helps block for Caleb too.

[patryk7754]

Here some players ive looked more into and I really like them. Not really talked about that much but I think these guys can have an impact right away and be considered steals.

Donovan Ezeiruaku: Reminds me of Brian Burns. He has elite play recognition. Great pass rusher. and really good against the run. Some have him going in the second but I'd be surprised if he's not a 1st round pick. I'd target him after a trade back in the 1st.

https://youtu.be/KJteo_QCKYI?si=4n-_LR9neeu26gGV

Tyleik Williams: He's a straight-up bull. His strength is run defense but he's no slouch as a pass rusher. Has a great combo of strength and quickness. Really good a blowing up the interior. I'd take him with out first 2nd round pick

https://youtu.be/z05aWkFhBFk?si=GakFhXs91kM2kEPh

Tyler Batty: Nothing special about him. I think he's projected to be a 7th round pick. But, the way he plays, he get a chance to be on the field. He has the strength to overpower guys and make plays in the backfield. He's definitely a rotational guy, who can excel on special teams. He'll be a 25 year old rookie

https://youtu.be/ME1KexAGkWE?si=rhhqLCSNJjEdE65u

Terrance Ferguson: He has the perfect size. Not a top-end block, but he's a very willing and good blocker, with pretty good technique. He as the skills and blocking combo that I would think draw Johnson to him. Not the fastest but that isn't too big of a concern, IMO. Depending on how the draft and FA shakes out, I could be willing to draft him in the fourth but ideally in the fifth

https://youtu.be/LtjHr_Ec5nI?si=MmS4ENkjJEQp5yZQ

Billy Bowman Jr: He's quickly becoming one of my favorite guys in the draft. Reminds me of Brain Branch. Similar build (at least on tape), great/physical tackler, ball hawk, great closing speed. I think the best thing about him is that he has the versatility. Can play deep zone, in the box or man. That's exactly what Allen wants from his safety. I'd take him late second or 3rd

https://youtu.be/J8GOF8CHpU0?si=QvOzpSbqFtZLk5Mi

[patryk7754]

Tyler Lockett was cut. I assume he gets less than 10m. for something around 5-8m he'd be a really good WR3 option for us

I agree. Keenan was a good pickup at the time, but now we have Rome, plus other guys like Scott and Colin Johnson, I'd rather do as you suggest and sign someone like Lockett for maybe half what Allen will cost. Devante Adams was also cut recently wasn't he?

I wouldn't be opposed to bring Allen back for the right price. I think even if it's 5m for Lockett and 10m for Allen, i'd still prefer Allen.

Adams was cut and I was thinking it might be worth entertaining taking a look at him, only after solidifying our OL/DL. It would be a very luxurious signing. almost a zero percent chance he takes enough of a discount for us to be able to sign him. But it is fun thinking about what he, moore, and odunze would look like.

[othawhitemeat]

Keenan Allen gross. Odunze needs to step up and and so does Kmet and in this draft that’s deep in TE talent I’d rather get one of those and a TE helps block for Caleb too.

Kmet I think got a raw deal last year, but I do agree in that this draft is loaded in TE.

[TheSuzerain]

need a slot separator.

Seems like Tez Johnson might slip. I'd take him in the middle rounds.

[Almost Retired]

I like these two move by Poles. Now we enter the Free Agency period much less desperate. I still want Dalman but we don't have to overpay for interior offensive line help. And we can still draft an O-Lineman in round 2 or 3 and develop them to take over for Jackson or Thuney after next season. As much as I like Jeanty I would still trade down from #10 to pick up another 2nd and filler. There are other RBs who could help us farther down the draft. There are a bunch of good ones. We could really help ourselves at several positions with some extra Day 2 picks. That's the sweet spot in this draft.

[Almost Retired]

need a slot separator.

Seems like Tez Johnson might slip. I'd take him in the middle rounds.

He didn't clock as fast as I thought he would at the combine. But he showed in the Senior Bowl that he can create separation. He'd be someone to look at for sure. I also like Xavier Restrepo from Miami, and Jaylin Noel from Iowa State. Johnson is projected to go mid 2nd round, Restrepo at late 2nd/early 3rd and Noel as a mid 3rd rounder (although with running a sub 4.4 40 yard dash he might have improved his draft stock at the combine).

[IliketheBullsNBearstoo]

need a slot separator.

Seems like Tez Johnson might slip. I'd take him in the middle rounds.

I really thought Tyler Scott was going to be this guy. Not sure what happened to him. Coaches just didn't trust him.

[Chi town]

need a slot separator.

Seems like Tez Johnson might slip. I'd take him in the middle rounds.

Yep. Our biggest need outside of OL on offense.

I like that kid from Miami. He looks like the next Kupp.

[Chi town]

need a slot separator.

Seems like Tez Johnson might slip. I'd take him in the middle rounds.

He didn't clock as fast as I thought he would at the combine. But he showed in the Senior Bowl that he can create separation. He'd be someone to look at for sure. I also like Xavier Restrepo from Miami, and Jaylin Noel from Iowa State. Johnson is projected to go mid 2nd round, Restrepo at late 2nd/early 3rd and Noel as a mid 3rd rounder (although with running a sub 4.4 40 yard dash he might have improved his draft stock at the combine).

Yep. Restrepo is my guy

[Jcool0]

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[mack2354]

This draft is so deep in RB's. Round 3 should be enough to get a good one. OTH, if you really believe Jeanty is a Saquan Barkley type game changer, you have to at least give it some thought.

But if we can get a center in FA now, we'll have the O line is good shape, and can be pretty flexible with those first 3 picks. We could use 2 on the D line and one another OL. Then take a back in the third. So something along those lines. So many good fb's though, I'd be surprised if we didn't grab one somewhere in the draft.

Before this week I felt like 2/3 of our first 3 picks needed to be O-line and the other D-Line. After this week, assuming we sign one of the better FA Centers, I think we can get away with 1/3 for O-Line, 1/3 for D-Line, and use of the other picks for BPA. We still need depth for the O-Line but I think Poles will go back to being cute with the 2nd string O-Line guys. Remember, Poles drafted our starting LT with a 5th round pick. I'm sure Poles likely will think he can draft some guys in Day 3 or Undrafted Rookies to mold and develop behind our experienced starters.

I'm not 100% sold that Jeanty is the second coming of Barkley so I'd be skeptical of the pick but wouldn't hate it. I would rather see that #10 pick go to a lineman(O Line or D Line) that they believe can be an All Pro for the next 10 years. I don't see the appeal of trading back from #10. If Caleb works out then we may not draft in the top 10 of the first round for some years. Drafting BPA there at 10 seems more valuable than drafting an couple of lower graded rookies.