The Bears are on the Clock

[WrigleyField 22]

At number 11 the Bears select:

Shaq Lawson - DE - Clemson

Very much in the mold of the Bears current OLB.  Not a pure speed rusher or coverage guy, but a big athletic outside guy who can set the edge.  Perhaps he could bulk up and play 5T, but that may limit what he does well.  So is he too duplicative to what Houston and McPhee already provide, even if he is arguably BPA?

A'Shawn Robinson - DT - Alabama

Should be able to play across the Bears DLine, but may be the best fit at NT, making Goldman primarily a 5T.  Not going to provide a big pass rush, but enough that he can be a 3 down player.  Some might argue his linemate Jarran Reed is the better player and might still be there at 41.  In general a deeper DL class, so do you pull the trigger early?

 

Jack Conklin - OT - Michigan St

The Bears stabilized their line with the signing of Massie and moving Long back to G.  Still, is Charles Leno a long term answer at LT or just a stop gap?  Slausson is another year older and Grassu got thrown into the mix early due to injury and it showed.  What Conklin gives up in not being a "true LT" he makes up for in versatility and toughness.  He could probably play across the line except center.  And he's proven himself against NFL ready competition like DeForest Buckner.  Do you pass up a chance to upgrade the D though?

 

Eli Apple - CB - Ohio State

Highly recruited out of high school.  Prototypical size and strong measurables.  Praised for his work ethic and large body of work at big time, national championship program.   So what's not to love?  His actual production didn't always match all that. Needs to work on technique, and relatively speaking won't be working with the same front 7 talent that made his job easier in college.  Still, DB is the area the Bears addressed least in FA.  Are they willing to sink another high pick at CB?

Leonard Floyd - OLB - Georgia

You could probably just flip all of Lawson's attributes.  Floyd has the wow factor athleticism that could make an elite pass rusher from outside. But his lack of strength right now could make him a situational player early in his career, and never an edge setter.  Even worse, maybe he ends up all sizzle and no pop.  Still, for pure ceiling, no other pick matches him here.

 

Paxton Lynch - QB - Memphis

Yes, Jay silenced many critics this season, and should be the franchise QB for at least a few more years.  The question is, "can Lynch be a franchise QB?"  If you have the rare opportunity to grab a franchise talent at QB, you do it. And Lynch will need some developmental time anyways. But the measurables and raw talent are apparent.  Are the intangibles?  Even if all that's true, there are some intriguing developmemt QB picks that may be had later as well. 

Darron Lee - LB - Ohio State

Probably a better fit in a 4-3, but the kind of skill, athleticism, and production that warrants consideration even this early.

Noah Spence - OLB - Eastern Kentucky

A lot of the things you can say about Floyd you could say about Spence. A more solid build, with a little bit less in the speed measurables than Floyd. But another guy with top of the line ceiling in a true pass rusher mode. His biggest issue? Drugs. He failed two drug tests and was banned from Big Ten play. He got treatment and played well again at E Kentucky? But is he a Josh Gordon?

Edited March 30, 2016 by WrigleyField 22

[Proven Veteran]

Can't someone get them out of the clock?

[WrigleyField 22]

Can't someone get them out of the clock?

Haha whoops, thought you were talking about a trade down at first. Fixed.

 

Honestly not sure what I'd do at this spot. I like about half these picks.

[tfarks]

Shaq Lawson is my vote. Pass rush is my #1 priority. It's a bonus he's graded out so well against the run too. From what I've read he can rush the passer from about anywhere, including the 5T.

[sneakypower]

At number 11 the Bears select: [...]

this is a good rundown

 

i voted for Roberto Aguayo

[SpongeWorthy]

I actually like our rush OLB group if they're healthy but I'd still take Lawson out of that group. Really wanted Hargreaves or Buckner.

[WrigleyField 22]

Okay I see two written votes for Lawson, as well as mine, and only 2 actual votes.... which one of you didn't vote?

[tfarks]

Okay I see two written votes for Lawson, as well as mine, and only 2 actual votes.... which one of you didn't vote?

 

Says 3 for me.

[raw]

I'll take Floyd's upside over Lawson's stability. I don't know why.

[UMFan83]

I'll be honest I don't really know much about draft prospects. Are there several good choices at 11 or is there any chance it would make sense to explore moving down to later in the first round?

[WrigleyField 22]

I'll be honest I don't really know much about draft prospects. Are there several good choices at 11 or is there any chance it would make sense to explore moving down to later in the first round?

I'm not sure things are so dire. While the pack around here is a little closer, I think you're best going with your favorite pick unless you get just a great offer. I'm not sure who would be looking to jump up though. Maybe someone in the late 1st who wants Lynch, looking to bypass LA at 15? Buffalo at 19? NY at 20? Maybe Jerry goes nuts and trades up from 34 (assuming no QB at 4). Although that'd really have to be a stellar offer.

 

Part of the thing with trading down though, is they really don't need any more picks. If they were to trade down I'd like to see them use the extra picks to move up other selections.

[raw]

I'll be honest I don't really know much about draft prospects. Are there several good choices at 11 or is there any chance it would make sense to explore moving down to later in the first round?

I'm not sure things are so dire. While the pack around here is a little closer, I think you're best going with your favorite pick unless you get just a great offer. I'm not sure who would be looking to jump up though. Maybe someone in the late 1st who wants Lynch, looking to bypass LA at 15? Buffalo at 19? NY at 20? Maybe Jerry goes nuts and trades up from 34 (assuming no QB at 4). Although that'd really have to be a stellar offer.

 

Part of the thing with trading down though, is they really don't need any more picks. If they were to trade down I'd like to see them use the extra picks to move up other selections.

 

I'd like to see them take the best player they can at 11, then trade back into the late 1st. Should only take the 2nd and a 4th round pick based on history. And they have an extra 4th from the Bennett trade. My ideal draft would have Buckner falling to 11 (and it could happen if the Ravens don't take him at 6) and then trading back up with say, KC and picking William Jackson III, CB from U of Houston. Longshot for both of those guys to be there, but it's possible.

[WrigleyField 22]

Well these poll results are interesting...

[jumbo]

William Jackson III

[WrigleyField 22]

Well I was thinking of calling it tonight.

 

But we have a tie right now. Get out the vote!