2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Soul]

Why would the Bears use the #14 pick on a WR with Bennett, Marshall, Jeffery and Wilson already on the team and under contract?

 

Shouldn't fixing the terrible defense take priority?

 

The best player available should take priority. Defense can be improved with depth. And WR turnover happens quickly.

 

Doesn't seem like Emery is going offense very often in the draft, based on his comments yesterday though. But who knows. It's pretty clear he's more comfortable with his picks on the offensive side.

[USSoccer]

Why would the Bears use the #14 pick on a WR with Bennett, Marshall, Jeffery and Wilson already on the team and under contract?

 

Shouldn't fixing the terrible defense take priority?

It's BPA to an unnecessary extreme, especially considering the incredible depth of this year's WR class.

 

In other words, it would be completely unnecessary?

[jersey cubs fan]

Why would the Bears use the #14 pick on a WR with Bennett, Marshall, Jeffery and Wilson already on the team and under contract?

 

Shouldn't fixing the terrible defense take priority?

 

The best player available should take priority. Defense can be improved with depth. And WR turnover happens quickly.

 

Doesn't seem like Emery is going offense very often in the draft, based on his comments yesterday though. But who knows. It's pretty clear he's more comfortable with his picks on the offensive side.

 

Right, not very often. The very often is for the defense, which can be improved with depth.

[jersey cubs fan]

Why would the Bears use the #14 pick on a WR with Bennett, Marshall, Jeffery and Wilson already on the team and under contract?

 

Shouldn't fixing the terrible defense take priority?

It's BPA to an unnecessary extreme, especially considering the incredible depth of this year's WR class.

 

In other words, it would be completely unnecessary?

 

Wilson hasn't done anything and was a very late pick who may never do anything. Bennett hasn't done much and may be gone, and Marshall turns 30 this offseason.

 

If you can get a 1st round WR to be productive within a year or two you can get away with not paying Marshall ~$10m/year as you prepare to sign Jeffery to his first big post rookie contract.

 

It would hardly be crazy to draft a highly touted WR with the first round pick.

[davell]

Do we go into next year feeling good enough about Mills? To the point where we add a Britton type again and nothing else? With his surgery, even if he's back and healthy, as expected, did he do well enough to make us think he's a longterm answer?

[USSoccer]

Why would the Bears use the #14 pick on a WR with Bennett, Marshall, Jeffery and Wilson already on the team and under contract?

 

Shouldn't fixing the terrible defense take priority?

It's BPA to an unnecessary extreme, especially considering the incredible depth of this year's WR class.

 

In other words, it would be completely unnecessary?

 

Wilson hasn't done anything and was a very late pick who may never do anything. Bennett hasn't done much and may be gone, and Marshall turns 30 this offseason.

 

If you can get a 1st round WR to be productive within a year or two you can get away with not paying Marshall ~$10m/year as you prepare to sign Jeffery to his first big post rookie contract.

 

It would hardly be crazy to draft a highly touted WR with the first round pick.

 

With a deep WR draft, though, isn't it just as possible you can get a productive WR in the 2nd or 3rd round? I'd rather they find an impact DT or S in the 1st.

[Soul]

Do we go into next year feeling good enough about Mills? To the point where we add a Britton type again and nothing else? With his surgery, even if he's back and healthy, as expected, did he do well enough to make us think he's a longterm answer?

 

IMO he's done enough to keep his job heading into the offseason programs, starting as a rookie at a tough position from a low round position in the draft. I know Cutler has said that he deserves as much credit as Long for what he did this year.

[jersey cubs fan]

With a deep WR draft, though, isn't it just as possible you can get a productive WR in the 2nd or 3rd round?

 

It's not just as possible, and even if they are productive, they probably wouldn't be as productive. If you can get a playmaker in the first you don't pass just because you think you can get a decent player in the 2nd or 3rd.

 

 

There's no point in specifically targeting WR early, but there is also no point in pretending it would be a horrible idea to draft a WR in the first.

[Guest]

Do we go into next year feeling good enough about Mills? To the point where we add a Britton type again and nothing else? With his surgery, even if he's back and healthy, as expected, did he do well enough to make us think he's a longterm answer?

 

It's too soon to know if he'll be a solid long term tackle. Despite his flaws, he's young, raw and showed flashes his rookie year. I'd being back Britton and let the two compete for the starting spot next year. Besides, Long will eventually be a good tackle so I wouldn't bother expending more resources on tackle; go C or G.

[Splendid Splinter]

Charlie's @ walterfootball has his mock draft updated today. http://walterfootball.com/draft2014charlie.php

 

Here are the Bears picks and what Charlie said for each one...

 

1- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (Nix went 15th to Steelers)

 

 

The Bears missed Henry Melton this season, and he may end up leaving Chicago in free agency. Even if Melton is brought back, the team could use more talent for the middle of its defense. Hageman would improve Chicago's run defense and pass rush.

 

The 6-foot-6, 311-pound Hageman has speed and explosivity, yet still has the size to hold up at the point of attack. He had an impressive 2012 season and was one of the better interior defensive linemen in the Big Ten. The junior totaled 35 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two passes broken up, one forced fumble and six sacks. He had 13 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in 2011.

 

In 2013, Hageman had 38 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, seven passes broken up, one interception and two sacks. He saw his share of double-teams, but he needs to become more consistent. There are times where Hageman looks unblockable with power and explosion. He has great closing speed when he gets free of blockers.

 

 

2- Dion Bailey, S, USC

 

 

Chris Conte and Major Wright haven't been consistent enough for Chicago. The Bears could use a more reliable safety to lock down the back end.

 

Bailey has ball-hawk ability and played safety in 2013. The 6-foot, 210-pounder recorded five interceptions with 62 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, .5 sacks and six passes broken up. He had a big game against Stanford to help pull off an upset for the Trojans. Bailey was all over the field against Derek Carr and Fresno State in USC's Las Vegas Bowl win.

 

The speedy and instinctive Bailey is a very good pass-defender. He was a good Will linebacker in Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 at USC last year, totaling 80 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, four interceptions and five passes broken up. Bailey racked up 81 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks as a freshman in 2011.

 

 

3- Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville

 

 

The Bears need to improve their pass rush off the edge. Phil Emery likes explosive athletes and Smith fits that mold similar to his other picks.

 

The Cardinals had a tough defense this year, and Smith was the leader of the unit. He was the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year as he finished the 2013 season with 14.5 sacks for Louisville. He also had 42 tackles with 18.5 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and three passes broken up. The senior's sack total puts him second in the nation.

 

Smith had four sacks and 5.5 sacks as a junior and sophomore, respectively. He played defensive end for Louisville, but in the NFL he will have to move to outside linebacker. The 6-foot-3, 252-pound Smith would fit well as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He will get the chance to show he can beat All-Star offensive tackles at the Senior Bowl.

 

 

This is how I'm expecting the Bears draft go in the first 3 rounds barring someone falling to the Bears lap. All defense with the first 3 picks. Then something like a C/BPA on defense the rest of the way or possibly RB (only if James Wilder Jr or Dri Archer is there in the 6th- love both of those guys) so they can cut Bush and I don't have to watch him anymore. I'm not seeing a WR at the moment unless somebody Emery really like falls to him or Earl is cut. I think Bears will sign a few undrafted OLs just to keep addressing the depth there.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Splendid Splinter

[Guest]

One aspect of locking up Cutler I haven't seen discussed is that the Bears still have their franchise tag available. Would they use it again on Melton to keep him? IIRC, using it on a player two years in a row requires extra money, right? What other free agent would be worthy of the tag?

[jersey cubs fan]

Do we go into next year feeling good enough about Mills? To the point where we add a Britton type again and nothing else? With his surgery, even if he's back and healthy, as expected, did he do well enough to make us think he's a longterm answer?

 

It's too soon to know if he'll be a solid long term tackle. Despite his flaws, he's young, raw and showed flashes his rookie year. I'd being back Britton and let the two compete for the starting spot next year. Besides, Long will eventually be a good tackle so I wouldn't bother expending more resources on tackle; go C or G.

 

As long as they do invest in C or G they can afford to ignore T for an offseason, but the line itself needs to be addressed every year.

[Banedon]

So Spiegel on the Score is saying that the $54 million is a prorated bonus over the first 5 years, and that it makes the cap hits look like this:

 

Year 1: $11 million

Year 2: $15.3 million

Year 3: $16.8 million

Year 4: $18.3 million

Year 5: $18.8 million

Year 6: $22 million

Year 7: $23 million

[jersey cubs fan]

So Spiegel on the Score is saying that the $54 million is a prorated bonus over the first 5 years, and that it makes the cap hits look like this:

 

Year 1: $11 million

Year 2: $15.3 million

Year 3: $16.8 million

Year 4: $18.3 million

Year 5: $18.8 million

Year 6: $22 million

Year 7: $23 million

 

that's nice

[jersey cubs fan]

Charlie's @ walterfootball has his mock draft updated today. http://walterfootball.com/draft2014charlie.php

 

Here are the Bears picks and what Charlie said for each one...

 

3- Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville

 

 

The Bears need to improve their pass rush off the edge. Phil Emery likes explosive athletes and Smith fits that mold similar to his other picks.

 

The Cardinals had a tough defense this year, and Smith was the leader of the unit. He was the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year as he finished the 2013 season with 14.5 sacks for Louisville. He also had 42 tackles with 18.5 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and three passes broken up. The senior's sack total puts him second in the nation.

 

Smith had four sacks and 5.5 sacks as a junior and sophomore, respectively. He played defensive end for Louisville, but in the NFL he will have to move to outside linebacker. The 6-foot-3, 252-pound Smith would fit well as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He will get the chance to show he can beat All-Star offensive tackles at the Senior Bowl.

 

He originally labeled the last guy as a S with the same verbiage about pass rush and sacks and it was confusing.

[WrigleyField 22]

Sammy Watkins just seems like the prospect to me that you don't pass up. He has that kind of crazy potential (but still pretty advanced skills wise) that exceeds current needs, and is a different receiver than the guys we have. He's a play-maker, and I just wouldn't pass that up. I do agree with raw though, he's just not going to be there. Most of the mocks that show him dropping are showing that mainly because they have the top 10 going QB crazy. I think ultimately, some of those teams will pass QB early, and probably because they get a guy like Watkins. There were still be plenty of QBs taken later in round 1 and in round 2, but I don't see the QB fury thats currently being projected by many mocks now.

 

And fwiw, I don't feel the same about Evans, so if Watkins goes early and Evans is the WR dropping, I don't pause much to still go D (maybe just a little). Seems many places still have Evans over Watkins, though.

[Guest]

Do we go into next year feeling good enough about Mills? To the point where we add a Britton type again and nothing else? With his surgery, even if he's back and healthy, as expected, did he do well enough to make us think he's a longterm answer?

 

It's too soon to know if he'll be a solid long term tackle. Despite his flaws, he's young, raw and showed flashes his rookie year. I'd being back Britton and let the two compete for the starting spot next year. Besides, Long will eventually be a good tackle so I wouldn't bother expending more resources on tackle; go C or G.

 

As long as they do invest in C or G they can afford to ignore T for an offseason, but the line itself needs to be addressed every year.

 

Definitely agree.

 

Despite the improvements this season, the offensive line itself wasn't as good as the major drop in sacks/hurries made them look. Most of the credit for the drop in sacks goes to the play calling and both QBs getting rid of the ball much quicker.

[davell]

So Spiegel on the Score is saying that the $54 million is a prorated bonus over the first 5 years, and that it makes the cap hits look like this:

 

Year 1: $11 million

Year 2: $15.3 million

Year 3: $16.8 million

Year 4: $18.3 million

Year 5: $18.8 million

Year 6: $22 million

Year 7: $23 million

So, the "it's a 3 year deal" thing from yesterday may be false? An extra 11.5 mill in immediate cap room would be huge for this year. I see and am OK with both sides honestly, as we've still got room, with ability for more, if needed.(if its a 22.5 mill 1st year hit)

[Guest]

Charlie's @ walterfootball has his mock draft updated today. http://walterfootball.com/draft2014charlie.php

 

Here are the Bears picks and what Charlie said for each one...

 

1- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (Nix went 15th to Steelers)

 

2- Dion Bailey, S, USC

 

3- Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville

 

This is how I'm expecting the Bears draft go in the first 3 rounds barring someone falling to the Bears lap. All defense with the first 3 picks. Then something like a C/BPA on defense the rest of the way or possibly RB (only if James Wilder Jr or Dri Archer is there in the 6th- love both of those guys) so they can cut Bush and I don't have to watch him anymore. I'm not seeing a WR at the moment unless somebody Emery really like falls to him or Earl is cut. I think Bears will sign a few undrafted OLs just to keep addressing the depth there.

 

I'd have taken Nix in round 1 and definitely would have taken Bradley Roby, Calvin Pryor (S, Louisville) or Dominique Easley in round 2. Marcus Smith sounds like another tweener DE in a 4-3; they better not pick one of those again unless they're shifting the defense.

 

I guess he has Kony Ealy returning for his senior year because there's no other reason for him to not be in the first few rounds.

[jersey cubs fan]

So Spiegel on the Score is saying that the $54 million is a prorated bonus over the first 5 years, and that it makes the cap hits look like this:

 

Year 1: $11 million

Year 2: $15.3 million

Year 3: $16.8 million

Year 4: $18.3 million

Year 5: $18.8 million

Year 6: $22 million

Year 7: $23 million

So, the "it's a 3 year deal" thing from yesterday may be false? An extra 11.5 mill in immediate cap room would be huge for this year. I see and am OK with both sides honestly, as we've still got room, with ability for more, if needed.(if its a 22.5 mill 1st year hit)

 

Well I don't think the 3-year deal talk was ever literal. The point was that after 3 years you can then theoretically cut him and get through the cap trouble in just one season. This makes it look like a 5 year deal, and possibly 4.

[Banedon]

While the front loaded aspect of it would've been interesting, this seems like it's much more logical.

[rawaction]

Do we go into next year feeling good enough about Mills? To the point where we add a Britton type again and nothing else? With his surgery, even if he's back and healthy, as expected, did he do well enough to make us think he's a longterm answer?

 

IMO he's done enough to keep his job heading into the offseason programs, starting as a rookie at a tough position from a low round position in the draft. I know Cutler has said that he deserves as much credit as Long for what he did this year.

 

Yeah, give him another year. I'd definitely re-sign Britton too. He can play 4 of the 5 OL positions and did well as the extra T on several plays this year. I wouldn't hand him the job, but he'd definitely start camp as RT being his job to lose.

[tfarks]

I'd be shocked if a DE like Bennett wasn't brought in as quick as they can. A schematic change that allows a 4-3/3-4 hybrid front allows them to hopefully salvage McClellin's usefulness and allow them to go after the 3-4 OLB pass rushing players they couldn't, or failed trying to utilize before. As much as the rush defense was spotlighted for its horribleness, the failure to generate a consistent pass rush allowed our safeties to become too vulnerable.

[davell]

So Spiegel on the Score is saying that the $54 million is a prorated bonus over the first 5 years, and that it makes the cap hits look like this:

 

Year 1: $11 million

Year 2: $15.3 million

Year 3: $16.8 million

Year 4: $18.3 million

Year 5: $18.8 million

Year 6: $22 million

Year 7: $23 million

So, the "it's a 3 year deal" thing from yesterday may be false? An extra 11.5 mill in immediate cap room would be huge for this year. I see and am OK with both sides honestly, as we've still got room, with ability for more, if needed.(if its a 22.5 mill 1st year hit)

 

Well I don't think the 3-year deal talk was ever literal. The point was that after 3 years you can then theoretically cut him and get through the cap trouble in just one season. This makes it look like a 5 year deal, and possibly 4.

Yeah, bad wording on my part. Meant that the entirety of the 54 guaranteed was in first 3 years and they could basically get off without any cap hit afterwards. I'm OK if it stretches into 4th or 5th year.

[rawaction]

Charlie's @ walterfootball has his mock draft updated today. http://walterfootball.com/draft2014charlie.php

 

Here are the Bears picks and what Charlie said for each one...

 

1- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (Nix went 15th to Steelers)

 

2- Dion Bailey, S, USC

 

3- Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville

 

This is how I'm expecting the Bears draft go in the first 3 rounds barring someone falling to the Bears lap. All defense with the first 3 picks. Then something like a C/BPA on defense the rest of the way or possibly RB (only if James Wilder Jr or Dri Archer is there in the 6th- love both of those guys) so they can cut Bush and I don't have to watch him anymore. I'm not seeing a WR at the moment unless somebody Emery really like falls to him or Earl is cut. I think Bears will sign a few undrafted OLs just to keep addressing the depth there.

 

I'd have taken Nix in round 1 and definitely would have taken Bradley Roby, Calvin Pryor (S, Louisville) or Dominique Easley in round 2. Marcus Smith sounds like another tweener DE in a 4-3; they better not pick one of those again unless they're shifting the defense.

 

I guess he has Kony Ealy returning for his senior year because there's no other reason for him to not be in the first few rounds.

 

Marcus Smith is awesome. He looks like he can bulk up too. I'd absolutely love that pick. I agree with your 2nd round picks too. I still think Roby is the top CB despite his down year.