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

[dice]

toughest road schedule in nfl history?

[Dresden]

I surprised they didn't use a pick on Devin Neal. He went in the 6th round. Maybe they really liked Monongai though. They obviously didn't like Kaleb Johnson, or they would have used one of their seconds on him, or at least traded back and take him.

[Dresden]

toughest road schedule in nfl history?

That is brutal, but a relatively easy home schedule. They better fatten up at home.

[Chi town]

toughest road schedule in nfl history?

Can’t wait to go to that Niners game.

[Almost Retired]

To cap off the offseason I’d like to sign Tyron smith, Nick Chubb and ZaDarius Smith

The Chubb interest seems to be gaining traction. I wouldn't want to dole out too many years or too much of a guarantee or too high a price and I would sure as hell have him looked over by some top notch Ortho Doctors.

[Almost Retired]

I surprised they didn't use a pick on Devin Neal. He went in the 6th round. Maybe they really liked Monongai though. They obviously didn't like Kaleb Johnson, or they would have used one of their seconds on him, or at least traded back and take him.

If Ben Johnson had insisted on a guy like Kaleb Johnson or anyone else in the later rounds Poles would have made the pick that BJ wanted. The Bears didn't just pick names out of a hat. Some of our head scratching picks had strong advocates...like Al Harris touting Zah Frazier despite his age and relative lack of top competition. I'm pretty sure Al Harris knows potential when he sees it. And with Shemar Turner....he could actually lose 15 pounds and play the EDGE as he did in the 2023-24 Season. He moved inside to accommodate Nic Scourton who transferred in. And Turner had to gain a lot of weight in the process. I'm sure Dennis Allen has some influence there. He prefers bigger Defensive End/EDGE guys. And all coaches like flexibility in players. I'm willing to give the front office the benefit of the doubt. The competition in training camp is going to be fierce.

[fleet]

1. you aren't drafting positions; you're drafting specific prospects. if the bears didn't think mykel williams was a particularly good prospect, they're not going to take him just because DL is a bigger need than TE.
2. in the past 3 drafts, ryan poles has used one 1st-round pick, four 2nds and two 3rds to acquire offensive and defensive linemen.

I agree it depends on the grades they have on prospects. But I have a feeling Poles just did what he wanted to do, which was to appease his shiny new coach he just hired, and give him all the toys. 2 things I believe. Aside from the approach which was questionable imo…1, that Poles was outmaneuvered in this draft, see the running backs situation for example. And 2, BJ bossed him around and Poles wasn’t able or willing to stand up. Of course, it’s also possible that Poles and BJ are in lockstep.

certainly no reason to believe poles was outmaneuvered on RB

-judkins and henderson were taken in 2 of the 3 picks before the bears took burden. and not by a team trading to get into those slots. neither player fell from where they were expected to be drafted either. judkins was taken surprisingly high

-they obviously felt rd. 2 was too early for kaleb johnson

-skattebo was gone by the 4th rd. pick and they didn't particularly like the remaining prospects

Let’s more appropriately say he outmaneuvered himself with all the trading around. And became too rigid with his board imo.

[molepharmer]

I agree it depends on the grades they have on prospects. But I have a feeling Poles just did what he wanted to do, which was to appease his shiny new coach he just hired, and give him all the toys. 2 things I believe. Aside from the approach which was questionable imo…1, that Poles was outmaneuvered in this draft, see the running backs situation for example. And 2, BJ bossed him around and Poles wasn’t able or willing to stand up. Of course, it’s also possible that Poles and BJ are in lockstep.

certainly no reason to believe poles was outmaneuvered on RB

-judkins and henderson were taken in 2 of the 3 picks before the bears took burden. and not by a team trading to get into those slots. neither player fell from where they were expected to be drafted either. judkins was taken surprisingly high

-they obviously felt rd. 2 was too early for kaleb johnson

-skattebo was gone by the 4th rd. pick and they didn't particularly like the remaining prospects

Let’s more appropriately say he outmaneuvered himself with all the trading around. And became too rigid with his board imo.

In his ESPN 1000 interview, Poles specifically mentioned the Trapilo pick as being flexible with his draft board. He hadn't plan on taking him when he did but because of the run on O-linemen at the time, Poles believed he better take Trapilo when he did.

[Dresden]

I agree it depends on the grades they have on prospects. But I have a feeling Poles just did what he wanted to do, which was to appease his shiny new coach he just hired, and give him all the toys. 2 things I believe. Aside from the approach which was questionable imo…1, that Poles was outmaneuvered in this draft, see the running backs situation for example. And 2, BJ bossed him around and Poles wasn’t able or willing to stand up. Of course, it’s also possible that Poles and BJ are in lockstep.

certainly no reason to believe poles was outmaneuvered on RB

-judkins and henderson were taken in 2 of the 3 picks before the bears took burden. and not by a team trading to get into those slots. neither player fell from where they were expected to be drafted either. judkins was taken surprisingly high

-they obviously felt rd. 2 was too early for kaleb johnson

-skattebo was gone by the 4th rd. pick and they didn't particularly like the remaining prospects

Let’s more appropriately say he outmaneuvered himself with all the trading around. And became too rigid with his board imo.

The strength of this draft was in the second and third rounds. Everyone was talking about what a good idea trading down for more picks would be. Poles managed to do that, and now he's being criticized for it? That seems like a very "glass half empty" way of looking at it.

[Almost Retired]

certainly no reason to believe poles was outmaneuvered on RB

-judkins and henderson were taken in 2 of the 3 picks before the bears took burden. and not by a team trading to get into those slots. neither player fell from where they were expected to be drafted either. judkins was taken surprisingly high

-they obviously felt rd. 2 was too early for kaleb johnson

-skattebo was gone by the 4th rd. pick and they didn't particularly like the remaining prospects

Let’s more appropriately say he outmaneuvered himself with all the trading around. And became too rigid with his board imo.

The strength of this draft was in the second and third rounds. Everyone was talking about what a good idea trading down for more picks would be. Poles managed to do that, and now he's being criticized for it? That seems like a very "glass half empty" way of looking at it.

Amen. If Poles had packaged #10 and #39 to move up for Jeanty he would have been criticized for giving up too much. No matter what Poles did or didn't do would have been fodder for negativity from all the draft experts on RealGM. I say wait until OTAs and training camp are behind us. There might be more moves made before the season opener. Guys could get traded or released. New blood might impress the new coaching staff. Whatever the outcome the tam that the Bears send into this season is going to be better than the one that finished last season. Of that I have no doubt. At the very least I foresee a much more innovative and potent offense.

[fleet]

certainly no reason to believe poles was outmaneuvered on RB

-judkins and henderson were taken in 2 of the 3 picks before the bears took burden. and not by a team trading to get into those slots. neither player fell from where they were expected to be drafted either. judkins was taken surprisingly high

-they obviously felt rd. 2 was too early for kaleb johnson

-skattebo was gone by the 4th rd. pick and they didn't particularly like the remaining prospects

Let’s more appropriately say he outmaneuvered himself with all the trading around. And became too rigid with his board imo.

In his ESPN 1000 interview, Poles specifically mentioned the Trapilo pick as being flexible with his draft board. He hadn't plan on taking him when he did but because of the run on O-linemen at the time, Poles believed he better take Trapilo when he did.

The Trapilo pick after the trade down (and the Turner pick) I understand if you don’t want Minny guy, especially given the need at the OT position and following drop off. I get the Burden pick on a talent level, and will likely enjoy him on the team. However other teams found reasons not to draft him, and Poles could’ve as well. Follow the board right after you basically took a receiver in the first round and considering the roster is too rigid imo, it has to follow a changing landscape all thing being relatively equal. And the linebacker reach in the 4th and 25 YO corner in the 5th, if “board” is dictating those choices like a directive from Jesus, no, just, no. You could run your team like that, but that’s certainly not what all GMs would do while they look to fill needs in the 4th and 5th rounds. The 6ths and 7th rounds were well played however.

[fleet]

But preface all that with a belief that the coaches were driving these choices, so that is what it is , and that’s a reason to do things too if you wanted to go that route. “Going by the board” could have a lot of different drivers, all I’m saying. Judge it how you wish. Poles’ board is not always impeccably produced. It came up with Velus Jones once by some accounts after consulting with Justin Fields. If Monangai is a miss, religiously going by the board while trading down over and over is a weak excuse why you didn’t come up with a running back (and pass rusher) out of this draft which was loaded with those positions.

[NesimLE]

But preface all that with a belief that the coaches were driving these choices, so that is what it is , and that’s a reason to do things too if you wanted to go that route. “Going by the board” could have a lot of different drivers, all I’m saying. Judge it how you wish. Poles’ board is not always impeccably produced. It came up with Velus Jones once by some accounts after consulting with Justin Fields. If Monangai is a miss, religiously going by the board while trading down over and over is a weak excuse why you didn’t come up with a running back (and pass rusher) out of this draft which was loaded with those positions.

So to sum up,

Bears could've taken an edge at 10, but went for the TE
Bears could've taken an edge at 39/41, but went WR, and then traded back before a run on all of the second round DE, leaving them to "leave the board" to pick a tackle...all of the "name" guys were gone by the time they were back on the board in round 4. Fair criticism, since it's almost like Poles is allergic to going edge early in the draft...has he picked ANY besides Robinson and Booker? That's the position where it feels like it's always "next time" instead of "reaching"

He's at least put plenty of capital in the interior D-Line, and the O-line too...even if he doesn't always land. We know he'll draft pass catchers and secondary, even linebackers...just never edge lol

[Dresden]

No shocker here: " Poles was also asked if a contract extension for left guard Joe Thuney was in the works, and he said they hope to have something done soon."

[dice]

restricting myself to actual picks/trades made OR those going into the draft, my preferences would have been:

10 jalon walker (LB/EDGE) - would have liked to trade down
39 will johnson (trade toast)
41 burden
72 winston (S)
148 rams trade
195 cam williams (OT)
233 tez johnson (WR)

no TE, RB or DT

[dice]

toughest road schedule in nfl history?

Can’t wait to go to that Niners game.

hope you get better weather than their last matchup!

[Michael Jackson]

toughest road schedule in nfl history?

That is brutal, but a relatively easy home schedule. They better fatten up at home.

That is a rough road schedule!

[molepharmer]

toughest road schedule in nfl history?

That is brutal, but a relatively easy home schedule. They better fatten up at home.

That is a rough road schedule!

Checked out other North teams. Detroit's road is pretty close to Bears; 6 of the 9 are the same but while Chi has Det, SF and LV on the road, Det has Chi, LAR and KC. Other two North, Minn and GB, have Balt/Cin at home, with Clev/Pitt on road. Min/GB also have NY/Dal on road as opposed to Phi/Was.

[Chi town]

https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-bears/exec-says-colston-loveland-is-not-sam-laporta-hes-better/

Good read about Loveland.

[Dresden]

https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-bears/exec-says-colston-loveland-is-not-sam-laporta-hes-better/

Good read about Loveland.

It's pretty exciting thinking about what this offense could be. They are set at all the positions. It's just a matter of whether all the pieces fit together, and how long it will take for them to all get on the same page.