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

[patryk7754]

My revised draft: Trade 1-10 to TB for 2025 1-19, 2-53, & 2026 5th.

Draft:

1-19: Draft Mykel Williams out of Georgia as he is perfect at 6.5/265 for Allen´s version
of the 4-3. He has a very good motor, speed, power, and moves to take on the best LT´s.

2-39: Draft Tyler Booker out of Alabama 6.5/325 as our future LG. He has the strength, power,
speed to learn from Thuney to excel as the next level. You could even give him 25% of the LG
snaps to keep Thuney fresh in 2025 & 40% in 2026.

2-41: Draft Kenneth Grant out of Michigan as the DT/NT. He is 6.4/330 and has tremendous speed & athleticism.
He is already a guaranteed 2 down tackle with extreme power but has to develop more of a pass rush to be a
perfect compliment to Dexter after next year. A high price to pay but he will be a great investment next year
as a 3 down NT. I think he falls to 2-41.

2-53: Draft Treveyon Henderson out of Ohio State, as he has the speed and zone scheme experience to
burst into BJ´s offense. I think he will grow into a very good receiving back and use those moves
and shifty speed to break tackles for Yards after catch.

3-72: Draft Kevin Winston out of Penn State to be a 1st year depth player for Quanny. He
has excellent in the box run defense and run a 4.4 40 so speed to cover is an asset as well.

5-148: Draft Jake Briningstool 6.5/245 out of Clemson. He is a good upside TE with skills in
the redzone and in certain packages. I think he can become a good receiver to compliment Kmet
in 12 packages.

I wouldn’t be mad at any this. Hits all the things we need. The only push back I’d give is that I don’t think Grant or booker drop to the second. Booker is probably the best OL in the draft and possibly top 5-10 talent, he’s just not valued very high because he’s a guard. I can see a good amount of DTs going in the 1st and Grant being one of them. But the idea of adding a 2nd and going OL/DT/RB is probably my preferred strategy

[patryk7754]

If we avoid taking a "luxury" pick like Warren of Jeanty, I wonder if it would be worth it to completely trade out of the 1st and just maximize draft capital. If the prospects from 11-50ish are truly on the same level, I think you can argue we'd be better off having 3/4/5 seconds and a few later picks than picking in the first if we are drafting position/need and not the best player available. Especially, if the idea is to take backups.

[patryk7754]

We have about 10m left according to over the cap. We’re most likely going to take that into the season or wait to at least after the draft. If we do make another signing, I’d like it to be Calais Campbell. You want leadership, there are few better than Campbell. He’s also still an elite run stopper and fits the Dennis Allen mold. And he can slide into DT in certain situations. This would also give us more flexibility on drafting

[Jeffster81]

We have about 10m left according to over the cap. We’re most likely going to take that into the season or wait to at least after the draft. If we do make another signing, I’d like it to be Calais Campbell. You want leadership, there are few better than Campbell. He’s also still an elite run stopper and fits the Dennis Allen mold. And he can slide into DT in certain situations. This would also give us more flexibility on drafting

I believe signing Calais would be superflorous considering the Bears already signed Grady Jarrett.

[Dresden]

If we avoid taking a "luxury" pick like Warren of Jeanty, I wonder if it would be worth it to completely trade out of the 1st and just maximize draft capital. If the prospects from 11-50ish are truly on the same level, I think you can argue we'd be better off having 3/4/5 seconds and a few later picks than picking in the first if we are drafting position/need and not the best player available. Especially, if the idea is to take backups.

I do have my concerns about Jeanty, but if the staff thinks his running style will translate to the NFL, I don't see why we would pass on him at 10. We have most of the major holes plugged now thanks to an active FA period. Why not take a guy who could be as good as Bijan or Barkley or Henry? Most analysts seem to think he will in fact live up to the hype, and become a perennial top 5 rusher. that just makes a lot of sense. While there are very good backs available in the second round, Jeanty seems to clearly be in a tier above them. So I'd rather take Jeanty at 10, and then a second tier lineman in the second, since the need for a lineman is not as great anymore.

That being said, I think there's also a strong chance we take Will Campbell or even Mykel Williams or Jalon Walker.

[molepharmer]

Bears B Johnson and D Allen, among others, were at Michigan's pro day. Neither M Graham or W Johnson (CB) worked out but supposedly Grant looked really good. Grant has been mocked all over the first round, from top 10 to mid-20's. If Bears really like Grant, he's a possibility at #10 as well, all depends upon who is available and who Bears want most. No way of knowing.

[patryk7754]

Bears B Johnson and D Allen, among others, were at Michigan's pro day. Neither M Graham or W Johnson (CB) worked out but supposedly Grant looked really good. Grant has been mocked all over the first round, from top 10 to mid-20's. If Bears really like Grant, he's a possibility at #10 as well, all depends upon who is available and who Bears want most. No way of knowing.

I think literally anyone rated in the top 50 is a possibility with our 1st (assuming Poles views most of these prospects on the same level, like a lot of analyst do).

Obviously, it would be best to trade back and then pick someone someone who is projected to go in the 2nd, instead of just drafting that guy at 10. But, it seems like trading back might be a little difficult this season. So, if a guy that is available at 10 is near the top of Poles' board but projected to go in the 2nd, I wouldn't be surprised if poles takes him at 10. Hopefully we can trade back or a gift drops to us at 10

[patryk7754]

We have about 10m left according to over the cap. We’re most likely going to take that into the season or wait to at least after the draft. If we do make another signing, I’d like it to be Calais Campbell. You want leadership, there are few better than Campbell. He’s also still an elite run stopper and fits the Dennis Allen mold. And he can slide into DT in certain situations. This would also give us more flexibility on drafting

I believe signing Calais would be superflorous considering the Bears already signed Grady Jarrett.

I don't really think they are the same type of player, so I would disagree. But, even if they are, Campbell is likely to get the minimum and for what he'd bring, I think he'd be well worth the redundancy

[patryk7754]

If we avoid taking a "luxury" pick like Warren of Jeanty, I wonder if it would be worth it to completely trade out of the 1st and just maximize draft capital. If the prospects from 11-50ish are truly on the same level, I think you can argue we'd be better off having 3/4/5 seconds and a few later picks than picking in the first if we are drafting position/need and not the best player available. Especially, if the idea is to take backups.

I do have my concerns about Jeanty, but if the staff thinks his running style will translate to the NFL, I don't see why we would pass on him at 10. We have most of the major holes plugged now thanks to an active FA period. Why not take a guy who could be as good as Bijan or Barkley or Henry? Most analysts seem to think he will in fact live up to the hype, and become a perennial top 5 rusher. that just makes a lot of sense. While there are very good backs available in the second round, Jeanty seems to clearly be in a tier above them. So I'd rather take Jeanty at 10, and then a second tier lineman in the second, since the need for a lineman is not as great anymore.

That being said, I think there's also a strong chance we take Will Campbell or even Mykel Williams or Jalon Walker.

I would be surprised if Poles passed on a top 10 talent if someone dropped to us. I think it comes down to does Poles seeing a big difference of potential and talent in guys rated 11-50ish. Hypothetically if Poles thinks, he can get just good of a DT/DE/OL or whatever in the second as he could get at 10, then I think it's worth entertaining the idea of trading back 2 or 3 times and acquiring a bunch of picks. If we end up with a OG, DT, DE, and RB in the second and they all have identical grades as anyone in the 1st, then that could be the best move. But, unlikely

I am not as high on Will Campbell as most. To me, he's obviously a guard. His short arms have been discussed the most, but if you look at his footwork, its much more of an OG's technique. He's more a "stonewall-er" than someone who can mirror a DE and I think that will cause him to struggle against very active edge guys. And then the short arms don't help. And if all that is true and Campbell will make the move to OG, I would prefer Taylor Booker who is not only significantly better as an OG, he's probably going to be the best OL in the draft. But even if he is projected to be an OT by Poles, I would prefer Banks or Simmons to Campbell. He's just about the only pick that I would be down on. And if we end up drafting a backup guard with the 10th, that would upset me.

[Almost Retired]

Bears B Johnson and D Allen, among others, were at Michigan's pro day. Neither M Graham or W Johnson (CB) worked out but supposedly Grant looked really good. Grant has been mocked all over the first round, from top 10 to mid-20's. If Bears really like Grant, he's a possibility at #10 as well, all depends upon who is available and who Bears want most. No way of knowing.

I think literally anyone rated in the top 50 is a possibility with our 1st (assuming Poles views most of these prospects on the same level, like a lot of analyst do).

Obviously, it would be best to trade back and then pick someone someone who is projected to go in the 2nd, instead of just drafting that guy at 10. But, it seems like trading back might be a little difficult this season. So, if a guy that is available at 10 is near the top of Poles' board but projected to go in the 2nd, I wouldn't be surprised if poles takes him at 10. Hopefully we can trade back or a gift drops to us at 10

My preference would be a couple of trade downs off our #10 to pick up another 2nd and another 3rd or 4th rounder. EDGE is no longer a high priority. But we need one or even two defensive tackles, A Safety, a bruising RB, a back up CB, Offensive line Depth (one guard and one tackle). We also need to draft a couple of guys in the 6th or 7th round for special teams. Undersized Linebackers with speed would seem to be a big help covering punts and kickoffs.

On a trade down I'm still high on Nick Emmanwori. He's the kind of safety in a Dennis Allen defense the would have a similar impact as Troy Polamalu had for the Steelers. Capable of run stopping, covering tight ends, blitzing, and covering deep with his height (6'3"), speed (4.38 at 222 lbs) and 43" vertical. Barring injury I see a Pro-Bowl player by year 2. We can't rely on Brisker, and there is no way we can offer him a second contract with guarantees.

In the 2nd round at #39 we might be able to snag a guy like Tyliek Williams the DT from Ohio State. Or Alfred Collins from Texas is another guy with some size we can work into the DT rotation.

To provide depth on the O-Line one of Savalainaea or Ersery should be available at #41. Donovan Jackson should be available. And a guy I've read the Bears are looking at is Charles Grant the OT from William and Mary. He's a former wrestler with really good arm length and grip strength. He's probably a late 2nd or early to mid 3rd rounder. He's the kind of player you develop for a year and have him concentrate on building functional strength.

With an extra 2nd round pick we could nab Quinshon Judkins to be our "power' back. He's solid. Good ball security (only 3 fumbles in 800 touches), "thrives in short yardage situations", good hands in the passing game. He'll need to up his blocking technique in blitzing situations but coaching can help there.

In the 3rd round we can target a WR3/slot guy. I like Restrepo but he'll be picked in the late 2nd round. But Isaiah Bond of Texas should be available. He's got a 3rd round projection. Decent speed (4.39), good hands, catches at all 3 levels. Elite deep speed. "Devastating change of direction ability makes him a YAC nightmare." A little undersized and downfield blocking is not his strong forte. But I like his potential. He made a lot of clutch catches at Texas this past season.

We're also going to have to draft a CB for depth. So with an extra 3rd we'd be looking at players like Darien Porter of Iowa State, Denzel Burke of Ohio State or Zy Alexander of LSU.

We could use a 4th rounder if one was afforded us by moving down from a higher pick. With that 4th rounder we could draft a TE that probably would not play much in Year 1. A few are Mitchell Evans of Notre Dame, Luke Briningstool of Clemson or Luke Lachey from Iowa.

[patryk7754]

Bears B Johnson and D Allen, among others, were at Michigan's pro day. Neither M Graham or W Johnson (CB) worked out but supposedly Grant looked really good. Grant has been mocked all over the first round, from top 10 to mid-20's. If Bears really like Grant, he's a possibility at #10 as well, all depends upon who is available and who Bears want most. No way of knowing.

I think literally anyone rated in the top 50 is a possibility with our 1st (assuming Poles views most of these prospects on the same level, like a lot of analyst do).

Obviously, it would be best to trade back and then pick someone someone who is projected to go in the 2nd, instead of just drafting that guy at 10. But, it seems like trading back might be a little difficult this season. So, if a guy that is available at 10 is near the top of Poles' board but projected to go in the 2nd, I wouldn't be surprised if poles takes him at 10. Hopefully we can trade back or a gift drops to us at 10

My preference would be a couple of trade downs off our #10 to pick up another 2nd and another 3rd or 4th rounder. EDGE is no longer a high priority. But we need one or even two defensive tackles, A Safety, a bruising RB, a back up CB, Offensive line Depth (one guard and one tackle). We also need to draft a couple of guys in the 6th or 7th round for special teams. Undersized Linebackers with speed would seem to be a big help covering punts and kickoffs.

On a trade down I'm still high on Nick Emmanwori. He's the kind of safety in a Dennis Allen defense the would have a similar impact as Troy Polamalu had for the Steelers. Capable of run stopping, covering tight ends, blitzing, and covering deep with his height (6'3"), speed (4.38 at 222 lbs) and 43" vertical. Barring injury I see a Pro-Bowl player by year 2. We can't rely on Brisker, and there is no way we can offer him a second contract with guarantees.

In the 2nd round at #39 we might be able to snag a guy like Tyliek Williams the DT from Ohio State. Or Alfred Collins from Texas is another guy with some size we can work into the DT rotation.

To provide depth on the O-Line one of Savalainaea or Ersery should be available at #41. Donovan Jackson should be available. And a guy I've read the Bears are looking at is Charles Grant the OT from William and Mary. He's a former wrestler with really good arm length and grip strength. He's probably a late 2nd or early to mid 3rd rounder. He's the kind of player you develop for a year and have him concentrate on building functional strength.

With an extra 2nd round pick we could nab Quinshon Judkins to be our "power' back. He's solid. Good ball security (only 3 fumbles in 800 touches), "thrives in short yardage situations", good hands in the passing game. He'll need to up his blocking technique in blitzing situations but coaching can help there.

In the 3rd round we can target a WR3/slot guy. I like Restrepo but he'll be picked in the late 2nd round. But Isaiah Bond of Texas should be available. He's got a 3rd round projection. Decent speed (4.39), good hands, catches at all 3 levels. Elite deep speed. "Devastating change of direction ability makes him a YAC nightmare." A little undersized and downfield blocking is not his strong forte. But I like his potential. He made a lot of clutch catches at Texas this past season.

We're also going to have to draft a CB for depth. So with an extra 3rd we'd be looking at players like Darien Porter of Iowa State, Denzel Burke of Ohio State or Zy Alexander of LSU.

We could use a 4th rounder if one was afforded us by moving down from a higher pick. With that 4th rounder we could draft a TE that probably would not play much in Year 1. A few are Mitchell Evans of Notre Dame, Luke Briningstool of Clemson or Luke Lachey from Iowa.

There are very few things that I can think of that I would be opposed to doing. I don’t think we’re going to be drafting a year one starter in the first or anywhere else in the draft. I think we have all our starters established except for maybe LT. With that in mind, my preference for our 1st pick would be drafting someone who is projected to be a starter in a year or two and get significant playing time as a backup during their rookie season. For me, that completely eliminates guard (unless the plan is to have them compete for starting LT). Every other position I’d be ok with. How ok I am would depend on the player and/or position. If we take the perceived best player available and that turns out to be a DT,RB, TE or whatever, I’m ok with that. If we decide to pass on the BPA for a player that’s still really good and at a more valuable position (ie green at DE) I’d also be ok with that.

I think the best and most logical strategy is to wait until around the fifth pick is on the clock to decide if we move. If Graham drops past five, then I’ll strongly consider trading up for him. If there is no one that truly stands out at 10, I move back. It would be really hard to mess this draft up.

Without a doubt, we target backup/rotational guys at DE and possibly DT. Something for RB and probably TE2. A OG of the future and potentially a LT of the future or someone to compete right away. I don’t think we need to prioritize one position over the other with our first three picks (except LT, potentially). We can get 3 really good guys for those roles or more if we trade back.

For DE or DT, we can do that in either the 1st or second. Or even 3rd/4th for DT

TE2: if not Warren in the first than sometime in the 3rd or later

RB2: 2nd or 3rd. This could be a historically deep draft class for this position.

OG/OT: late 1st/2nd. even though LT is probably our biggest need amongst the starters on the team, I would hesitate using a first on one. I think Banks might be the only 1st round LT he I’ve seen some question if he’s more of a natural guard. Simmons might be the best LT but has the injury concerns and can be had in the second.

Safety: late 2nd (after adding another) 3rd/4th. I think there will be some great value at safety in the middle rounds, especially with them being backups for probably the first year. We do still have hicks and Owens so that has to be taken into consideration as well. If we take Emmanworiin the first, I’d get over it because he looks like a CJDJ or Darwin James to me, I just don’t know what his role would be in year one.

[patryk7754]

I think Derrick Harmon and Tyleik Williams are the second and third best DTs in the draft. They are both extremely active with their feet and hands. And I think they are the two best play makers at DT (other than Graham). I'd be fine with taking either of those guys in the 1st after trading back. But, there's a really good chance that Williams drops to us somewhere in the second.

Trade back to acquire a 2nd and 4th

RD1: Derrick Harmon, DT
RD2: JT Tuimoloau, DE
RD2: Donovan Jackson, OG/OT
RD2: Trey Henderson, RB
RD3: Billy Bowman jr, S
RD4: Terrance Fergenson, TE
RD5: Jack Nelson, OT

rest of the draft: whatever

[Jeffster81]

We have about 10m left according to over the cap. We’re most likely going to take that into the season or wait to at least after the draft. If we do make another signing, I’d like it to be Calais Campbell. You want leadership, there are few better than Campbell. He’s also still an elite run stopper and fits the Dennis Allen mold. And he can slide into DT in certain situations. This would also give us more flexibility on drafting

I believe signing Calais would be superflorous considering the Bears already signed Grady Jarrett.

I don't really think they are the same type of player, so I would disagree. But, even if they are, Campbell is likely to get the minimum and for what he'd bring, I think he'd be well worth the redundancy

I rather see Dexter, Pickens (last chance in Chicago for him, imo) and whomever they draft get these snaps over a 38 year old.

[patryk7754]

I believe signing Calais would be superflorous considering the Bears already signed Grady Jarrett.

I don't really think they are the same type of player, so I would disagree. But, even if they are, Campbell is likely to get the minimum and for what he'd bring, I think he'd be well worth the redundancy

I rather see Dexter, Pickens (last chance in Chicago for him, imo) and whomever they draft get these snaps over a 38 year old.

That’s fair. I don’t think he’ll get an overly significant amount of snaps wherever he goes. But I agree with the thought of him taking away too many snaps from a 1st or 2nd round pick would be a net negative. Which is why I would wait until after the draft. If in the unlikely event that we don’t take a DE in the first three rounds, he’d be one of my top choices for free agents after draft. You can add a vet OT if we don’t take one in the first two rounds. And a vet qb (specifically bridgewater) to be a mentor to both Williams and bagent and to compete for QB2

[dice]

Bears B Johnson and D Allen, among others, were at Michigan's pro day. Neither M Graham or W Johnson (CB) worked out but supposedly Grant looked really good. Grant has been mocked all over the first round, from top 10 to mid-20's. If Bears really like Grant, he's a possibility at #10 as well, all depends upon who is available and who Bears want most. No way of knowing.

i saw a composite mock of all the most accurate "mockers" that had the bears taking best available OT almost universally. they also all had membou gone by #10

[nomorezorro]

this might be wishful thinking but i'm starting to get the vibes that there's a higher-than-expected chance that graham falls to 10. read a couple of different people claim that the feeling around the league is lower on him than analysts would have you believe

would really make our decision a lot easier if he fell into our laps

[_txchilibowl_]

this might be wishful thinking but i'm starting to get the vibes that there's a higher-than-expected chance that graham falls to 10. read a couple of different people claim that the feeling around the league is lower on him than analysts would have you believe

would really make our decision a lot easier if he fell into our laps

Why though? If the feeling around the league is lower on him should that not be an indication the Bears would be wise to take note of?

Maybe he just isn't that good. Or rather, maybe his limitations make him not worth the pick.

[NecessaryEvil]

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[Almost Retired]

Unfortunately I don't see too many potential partners in a trade down from #10. Denver at #20 is a possibility if Jeanty is still on the board, which might be doubtful. Then there is Pittsburg at #21 who might move up to get QB Jaxson Dart. But they don't have a 2nd rounder this year. The best they could offer us is a 3rd rounder and something in 2026. That's not ideal. I'd prefer to get another 2nd rounder this year to fill more holes we have. KC might want to move up if Tyler Warren is on the board. They need to find Kelsey's eventual replacement. But they would have to give us their 1st and 2nd round picks this year and another 2nd round pick in 2026 at least.

[patryk7754]

Unfortunately I don't see too many potential partners in a trade down from #10.

Yeah. I mostly agree. I saw something that said this has been the longest not draft related moves (or 1st related) have been made in the chiefs traded for Montana. And that was like five days before the draft. I have a feeling very little will happen with a possibility of a lot of activity on draft night. I also heard that teams are waiting to see if the titans take a QB or not.

Even if there is interest to trade up, teams might be hesitant to give up traditional value.