2025 NFL Draft

[Tryptamine]

Seeing as the season is more or less over, we might as well start tracking this. 

 

As of right now the Bears would hold the #11, #37 and #43 picks in the first two rounds. Unlikely to win any tie breakers going forward, even losing out would find them unlikely to pick any higher than 7th or 8th. I stated in last week's game thread that I have the priorities as follows  EDGE>OT>DL>Safety>Oline depth

If they end up with a pick around #8, at least one of Kelvin Banks, Will Campbell, Mason Graham or Abdul Carter is likely to be there. Banks or Campbell would give them that left tackle anchor which would allow them to push Jones inside and strengthen the overall line. Graham's position isn't as much of a need ass EDGE/OT but he'd be a BPA pick. He would pair incredibly well with Dexter and also help to strengthen a DL that is weak against the run. Carter would take the pressure off Sweat who seems to be about the only edge rusher who can get to the QB on any kind of regular basis. In an ideal world they go EDGE with the first pick because I think it's much easier to address OL/DL with their #37 and #43 picks then it would be EDGE

[Rex Buckingham]

I think Abdul Carter is going to be an amazing pro

[BigbadB]

How many QB's can we anticipate grabbing some top spots this coming year? Raiders, Giants and Jets seem like locks for a QB if there are at least 3 top of the draft prospects. Browns and Panthers could be knocking on that same door. 

[Andy]

1 hour ago, BigbadB said:

How many QB's can we anticipate grabbing some top spots this coming year? Raiders, Giants and Jets seem like locks for a QB if there are at least 3 top of the draft prospects. Browns and Panthers could be knocking on that same door. 

We'll see how this last month-plus goes but I don't think Carolina will draft a QB. For one thing there aren't many that are that good, and they won't be picking that high. More importantly, Bryce Young is now playing well enough I think it's easily justifiable to try to fortify a roster that's still quite talent-deficient in other areas and give Young some more time and development.

[sneakypower]

wondering who'll be available for the Lions at #32 😏

ironically i like Jack Sawyer as a fit

[Tryptamine]

6 hours ago, BigbadB said:

How many QB's can we anticipate grabbing some top spots this coming year? Raiders, Giants and Jets seem like locks for a QB if there are at least 3 top of the draft prospects. Browns and Panthers could be knocking on that same door. 

Sanders and Ward are pretty close to locks for the top 10 right now, anyone else would be questionable.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I am reluctantly coming to accept that the Bears are probably going DE with their top pick this draft.

I would strongly prefer offense, but it's likely going to be an awkward spot to draft OL.  The kind of LT you can get in this draft in the middle rounds isn't a clear day-one upgrade over Braxton Jones, even though they might be a better long-term play, and I don't think this franchise is in the mood to make that kind of long-term decision when people are dying to win now.  And I don't think there's any iOL in this draft that would warrant going where we're likely to pick.

(Meanwhile, I think Amegadjie looks way more likely to be a guard than a tackle, and if he's not ready to challenge for a job next year, then that's another 3rd-rounder that Poles has set on fire).

I don't agree that we have to go line in the first round.  I think that's half meatball "Da Trenches!" sports radio filler, and half fans wanting to see the fires from this season put out in the draft, when imo that's not what the draft is for.  That's what free agency is for.  

If there's another WR you like available when you pick, jump on him, you can never give Caleb Williams too many weapons.  Same goes for a TE if there's one that emerges as a mid-first value between now and the draft.  And honest to god, I get the "no RB in the first round"" but if we're picking like 14 and it's a choice between him and a defensive player, I'd rather take Jeanty.  It's not like we're using a top-5 pick on him.

[Tryptamine]

1 hour ago, Hairyducked Idiot said:

I am reluctantly coming to accept that the Bears are probably going DE with their top pick this draft.

I would strongly prefer offense, but it's likely going to be an awkward spot to draft OL.  The kind of LT you can get in this draft in the middle rounds isn't a clear day-one upgrade over Braxton Jones, even though they might be a better long-term play, and I don't think this franchise is in the mood to make that kind of long-term decision when people are dying to win now.  And I don't think there's any iOL in this draft that would warrant going where we're likely to pick.

(Meanwhile, I think Amegadjie looks way more likely to be a guard than a tackle, and if he's not ready to challenge for a job next year, then that's another 3rd-rounder that Poles has set on fire).

I don't agree that we have to go line in the first round.  I think that's half meatball "Da Trenches!" sports radio filler, and half fans wanting to see the fires from this season put out in the draft, when imo that's not what the draft is for.  That's what free agency is for.  

If there's another WR you like available when you pick, jump on him, you can never give Caleb Williams too many weapons.  Same goes for a TE if there's one that emerges as a mid-first value between now and the draft.  And honest to god, I get the "no RB in the first round"" but if we're picking like 14 and it's a choice between him and a defensive player, I'd rather take Jeanty.  It's not like we're using a top-5 pick on him.

Given the make up of the draft at the moment, it's going to be so much easier to address OL/OT with one or both of the 2nd then it will be to address OL in the 1st and DE in the 2nd. 

[profisme]

4 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Sanders and Ward are pretty close to locks for the top 10 right now, anyone else would be questionable.

Ewers may end up there as well. 

[profisme]

Two guys I would love to see on the Bears would be Ty Robinson DT from Nebraska and Harold Fannin Jr. TE from Bowling Green. Everett and Lewis are unlikely to be here next year and Fannin is really, really good. 
 

RJ Maryland is another who would look great at TE if he enters the draft. 

[gflore34]

I like Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois, later rounds, for the Bears, could be a replacement for Allen.

[Rex Buckingham]

34 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

I like Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois, later rounds, for the Bears, could be a replacement for Allen.

Pat shouldn't make it past the 3rd round. Not only is he a good receiver, he can block too. Makes contested catches, good after the catch, and a great dude. 

[Derwood]

I'm curious to see if Tyler Warren's TE play can translate to the pros. He's playing like a college version of Gronk for Penn State this year

[UK]

Assuming the Bears to finish around 5-6 wins, it'll put them in Carter territory.

Ideally,

Carter

Interior DL

Best C available (depending on run scheme)

WR

Depth

FA:

I like Trey Smith (G) KC and Bolles (LT) Denver.

 

[BigbadB]

2 hours ago, UK said:

Assuming the Bears to finish around 5-6 wins, it'll put them in Carter territory.

Ideally,

Carter

Interior DL

Best C available (depending on run scheme)

WR

Depth

FA:

I like Trey Smith (G) KC and Bolles (LT) Denver.

 

Has Bolles fixed his penaltyitis. I'd try to bring back Shelton on a placeholder/reserve contract. Maybe offer a couple of years since injuries..... That would be nice work on the line. 

I think all of Jenkins, Bates and Borom have to go.

[Tryptamine]

Carson Beck has cost himself a heck of a lot of money this year.

[raw]

I don't think Abdul Carter makes it past Carolina, wherever they pick (Ahead of the Bears). I also don't think Will Campbell is there wherever the Bears pick, and he's a guy I don't expect to get past New England.

I really don't like the OL options after Campbell, in the top 12. I don't think it's realistic to expect the Bears to move on from Braxton at LT. Taking a guy to play guard in year 1 and then potentially taking over at LT for Braxton in the future is on the table, but I still think only Campbell applies there early in the draft. 

The edge class is really interesting in the 10-20 range. While Carter will be gone, I do like Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams from Georgia. Walker is more of a 3-4 OLB (don't know what D they'll be running) and Williams is more of a freak athlete project. Pearce (small) and Scourton (huge) are also there in that range. If Mason Graham falls that's another DL player you kinda have to pick.

As for offense, if Campbell is gone, I think you'd be reaching for Banks (OL2) and I don't love him as a temp guard. Or you're basically picking Ashton Jeanty. And I must say, if Ben Johnson is the head coach and brings along Hank Fraley (Lions OL coach, potential OC for Johnson) then Jeanty is probably going to give you amazing production, though obviously not great value that high for a RB

[Tryptamine]

1 hour ago, raw said:

I don't think Abdul Carter makes it past Carolina, wherever they pick (Ahead of the Bears). I also don't think Will Campbell is there wherever the Bears pick, and he's a guy I don't expect to get past New England.

I really don't like the OL options after Campbell, in the top 12. I don't think it's realistic to expect the Bears to move on from Braxton at LT. Taking a guy to play guard in year 1 and then potentially taking over at LT for Braxton in the future is on the table, but I still think only Campbell applies there early in the draft. 

The edge class is really interesting in the 10-20 range. While Carter will be gone, I do like Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams from Georgia. Walker is more of a 3-4 OLB (don't know what D they'll be running) and Williams is more of a freak athlete project. Pearce (small) and Scourton (huge) are also there in that range. If Mason Graham falls that's another DL player you kinda have to pick.

As for offense, if Campbell is gone, I think you'd be reaching for Banks (OL2) and I don't love him as a temp guard. Or you're basically picking Ashton Jeanty. And I must say, if Ben Johnson is the head coach and brings along Hank Fraley (Lions OL coach, potential OC for Johnson) then Jeanty is probably going to give you amazing production, though obviously not great value that high for a RB

I think Graham should be the guy, but if Graham slides to the Bears we're dancing in the streets.

[Tryptamine]

Bears currently sitting at #9. Unfortunately that means the majority of mocks have Carter, Graham, Banks and Campbell coming off the board before the Bears pick which is pretty much worst case scenario.  Edge rusher Mykel Williams is the name seen the most at #9. That Carolina win yesterday hurt a lot, so we're at the point we desperately need the Jets to win 1 more so the Bears can slide into the 8th.

[Derwood]

A 4 win team picking 8th is wild

[BigbadB]

17 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Bears currently sitting at #9. Unfortunately that means the majority of mocks have Carter, Graham, Banks and Campbell coming off the board before the Bears pick which is pretty much worst case scenario.  Edge rusher Mykel Williams is the name seen the most at #9. That Carolina win yesterday hurt a lot, so we're at the point we desperately need the Jets to win 1 more so the Bears can slide into the 8th.

Isn't it a bit early to trust mocks? When do underclassmen start declaring for the draft?

[Tryptamine]

8 hours ago, BigbadB said:

Isn't it a bit early to trust mocks? When do underclassmen start declaring for the draft?

Oh fore sure, in fact anything prior to the combine is a waste of time, but it's still fun to speculate.

[Irrelevant Dude]

On 12/23/2024 at 11:34 AM, Derwood said:

A 4 win team picking 8th is wild

I wonder what the lowest draft position is for a team that has lost 11 consecutive games.  I can't imagine one of those teams has ever picked outside of the Top 5.

[Tryptamine]

Well, Bears sit at 9, but could move all the way to #5 by the end of the week. Each win by any of Oakland,  Carolina, Jets or Jacksonville moves them up a spot. As things stand now, getting to #7 would be huge and almost guarantee one of Abdul Carter, Will Campbell or Mason Graham are available. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

3 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Well, Bears sit at 9, but could move all the way to #5 by the end of the week. Each win by any of Oakland,  Carolina, Jets or Jacksonville moves them up a spot. As things stand now, getting to #7 would be huge and almost guarantee one of Abdul Carter, Will Campbell or Mason Graham are available. 

Dude the combine hasn't even happened yet. The mocks are gonna change. Some players will rise, some will fall. It happens every year. I'd stop obsessing over it at the moment.