raw

My thoughts on Days 2 & 3 of the draft. The Bears arguably got TE1 and WR1 in this draft, depending on who you ask (and what Travis Hunter plays). So I can't complain about the value of Luther Burden III. But my concern with LB3 is the fit. He's a similar player to DJ Moore. And while having 2 DJs isn't a bad thing, I just wonder how they use both. Hopefully, the plan is to use Burden as more of the way they used DJ last year and use DJ like an actual WR, basically taking over Keenan's Allen role from last year......which brings me to my other "fit" issue. I know, new offense and all, and actually a real offensive coach that knows what he's doing. But the Bears kind of had too many mouths to feed last year. They lost Allen, but they added Burden and Loveland. Now TEs usually come along slowly, and a rookie WR can be brought along slowly as well. But the Bears have Burden, Loveland, Kmet, DJ, and Rome for at least 2 years, and that's if they cut/trade Kmet or cut/trade DJ after 2026. The RB will also catch a bunch of passes. Not that weapons are a bad thing, I just wonder about the return on investment with 2 guys getting big pay and 3 more top 40 picks. Not a big fan of Ozzy Trapilo. OL depth was needed, but he's a guy that's strictly a tackle. He played mostly RT, but can play LT. Wright could also play LT going forward. But I feel like when you missed out on all the Day OTs, the value wasn't there at OT. You aren't getting a guy you feel confident about throwing in there in 2026 if Braxton walks. And you already picked a Day 2 OT last year as depth. Trapilo was called the "most pro ready" tackle by OL guru, Brandon Thorn, but IDK if A) you want him playing this year, B) you want to shuffle the OL by moving Wright to LT if he gets hurt. Stewart- solid player, bit of a tweener. Sounds like the Bears are going to play him all over the DL. I wish they'd just play guys at 1 position and let them get reps there. I'd prefer he just play 3T, as he has some quickness. But he's 290-300, if you want him to play edge, he's going to have to slim down, which meh. I do like the CB they got in Frazier. Been wanting the Bears to get in on the big, freak CBs. And he's 6'3 and runs a 4.3. Like him as a project and as depth. Hyppolite and the Mich St guard are guys I don't know. Hyppolite ran a 4.4 at 240 or whatever, so that's good. IDK if he can play football though. Newman adds another "body" to the interior that has Ryan Bates as the only depth you won't dread seeing come on the field....and he hasn't been on the field much in 2 years. Wish they would have gone position flex on the OL and not on the DL. Kyle Monangai is a solid pick. One of the most underrated guys in this draft. Tough-nose, hard to tackle, and I don't believe he ever had a college fumble. I still think you need a RB. Roschon isn't great. Swift still looks to be in line to take 75% of the carries, which IDK that Ben wants.

There's been 2 players in this draft I've never heard of. Bears have picked them both

Loveland kills a few birds with 1 stone. He essentially becomes your long-term #3 slot WR. Zaccheus is only around for 1 year. Not going to assume anything this year because TEs always take a bit to develop, but long-term he's clearly a better receiver than a guy like Zaccheus. But it also doesn't prevent you from adding a WR at some point this weekend because Loveland can obviously do other things as well. Gives you 2 pretty good TEs potentially in 12 personnel. And if you send him in the huddle and the defense counters with base D, you put him in the slot and let him work over a LB or make them change their coverage on either DJ or Rome, and create a mismatch with them or Loveland, not to mention Kmet and the RB are now also getting LBs/safety coverage too. If the team responds to 12 in nickel, you can still split Loveland out and create a light box. Or you can put him/motion him in-line and run at a box that is weaker than it would be with a 3rd LB. This is the heart of what the Lions did. The defense can't be right. Whatever personnel they come out with, make it the wrong choice. Even in 11 personnel you can create mismatches w/ Loveland. The Chiefs like to go 3-by-1 with Kelce alone on the outside on the weak side. Even in nickel, the defense is still 1 CB short to cover the 4 wide. Do you leave Loveland alone vs your LB? Or do you keep the CB to that side and put a LB/S on a WR? And Ben can scheme this too as you can put like Zaccheus outside with DJ and Rome inside and force the defense to either put their outside CB who might not be great inside on DJ/Rome (this is what GB did with Adams to Jaylon) or you force them to put a S/LB on DJ in the slot, which LOL I like this pick. I was figuring either they'd trade up for Jeanty, take Loveland at 10, or trade back for Conerly based on the rumors I've heard. I think the OL ship has sailed. You're not going to get your LT of the future on Day 2. Plus, they took a Day 2 LT project last year. I'd LOVE Henderson who was my RB2 in this class. If no Henderson, I'd prefer to wait until about 72 for RB. I also prefer DT help to Edge, but the Edge board is pretty decent with Scourton, Ezierauka, and if they dare, Mike Green. I also like Princely Umanmielen.

The Bears have quite a few former QBs on the staff. Ben Johnson was a walk-on QB at UNC. Randle El and JT Barrett were Power 5 college QBs. Their Asst QB coach was a college QB. But none of those guys took any NFL QB snaps. It's one thing to have a guy tell you how to do things, who is paid to do that. It's another thing to have a guy tell you how to do things as he's doing those things himself.

Ryan Poles' comments made it sound like the vet backup would be the QB3. I agree, they shouldn't carry 3 QBs on the 53 man, but Bagent should be at 0 risk. He at least has a shot to get you a draft pick in an offseason trade (if re-signed as a RFA) if he is forced on the field and plays similar to how he played when Fields went down. Maybe he shines in preseason and someone gets desperate for a young backup and they trade him then. That being said, they'll probably keep all 3 on the roster.

Love Jeanty, but trading up for a RB would be gross.

Most mocks also had Rome Odunze going before 9 at this point last year.

Some draft thoughts, it's been a minute so sorry for the length QB- no need to use a draft pick here. Maybe bring in a vet at some point RB- I keep coming back to the 2022 Lions. Ben had Swift, yet Jamaal Williams out carried him 262 to 99. Swift had a bunch of targets in the pass game, but I don't think he's going to be the primary rusher. That means taking RB likely very early. I think Jeanty is a legit target at 10 (hope they don't trade up). Obviously, the Lions signed Montgomery and took Gibbs round 1 a couple years ago, so Ben has no issues using a 1st on a RB as a general philosophy. But I could also see them trading back and taking Omarion Hampton. Be a fun story to have Ben's first ever draft pick as a HC be a RB from his alma mater. Maybe neither works out and they take RB at 39 or 41, but I can't imagine them NOT taking a RB in the top 50. WR- not a huge need, but they seem to be missing the pure speed element. DJ, Rome and Zaccheus are plenty fast, but a true burner would be really fun. I absolutely LOVE the projected Day 2 WRs in this class. The Bears also have Isaiah Bond (4.3s) as a 30-visit, who I don't love. But there's also Thornton from Tenn and some Day 3 guys that can really fly. TE- lot tying the Bears to Tyler Warren interest at 10. IDK if the Bears share that interest. Ben runs a lot of 2 TE stuff, but his TE2s have historically been afterthoughts as UDFAs or very late picks. I do like this TE class as well, there's some good early round talent, but I really think the sweet spot is Day 3 in the 5th or 6th. You have guys like Luke Lachey, Thomas Fidone, Ben Yurosek and Jalin Conyers who were all highly thought of/recruited at some point before injuries/transfers that are really intriguing. OL- starters appear to be set, but the depth is lowkey worse than last year. It's basically all the same backups except don't have Pryor or Borom this year. The Bears still need to invest heavily here. 2 starters are FAs after 2025 and 3 starters missed 4+ games last year. Need at least 1 of the top 3 picks spent here and I'd love a developmental guy in the 4th (don't have one currently) or 5th. If they don't like Braxton or Kiran long-term at LT, they are going to have to take OT at 10 or 39. If they do like either or both, then take a guy at either of those picks or 41 that potentially can play the interior. Wouldn't mind a vet add too, wanted Pryor back. DE- Dayo is solid. Neither he nor Sweat are great. Probably not going to get "great" in this draft, but may be able to get a really good pass rusher. Again, going to have to do so with 1 of the first 3 picks (if you're scoring at home that makes RB, OL, DE the first 3 picks). May be nobody worth of 10, pickings could be slim by 39. Interesting decision to make here, but definitely don't have enough here. DT- Grady Jarrett helps a TON here. Good signing. Bears have Chris Williams, Pickens, and Jon Ford as depth for DT4. This also happens to be a great DT class, and I personally wouldn't really count on Billings coming off injury and turned 30. I'd love another run stuffer, if he has some pass rush juice even better. Deep class, but as with every position ever, better guys are going to take earlier picks. LB- another lowkey need. Have some depth, but none with much experience or any upside. Also Edwards is a FA after the year, Edmunds is a cut candidate. They'll add a draft pick here, I'd hope. Probably day 3, but could see a guy at 72 really pique their interest. S- Every single safety on the roster is a FA. Brisker also may or may not be a career ending concussion waiting to happen. This is lowkey a potentially huge need. Hicks, Owens, Moore are decent depth, don't want any of them starting multiple games. Again, if you want a real guy you don't dread being on the field, going to have to pick with one of the first 4 picks (if you're scoring at home....that's OL, RB, DE, DT, and safety for 4 top 75 picks, with LB, WR and TE being potentially picked if you love a guy there early). I'd probably rip up Byard's contract and give him a new 2-year deal just to have someone under contract for 2026, then draft a guy somewhere and plan on going S early next year along w/ another FA signing. CB- kind of a luxury pick. Probably the least "needed" position other than QB. But Stevenson was really bad last year. Depth is OK. You have Terrell Smith and Blackwell, but CB seems like a position that could really have some good players falling to favorable draft positions, including 10 where it seems like Will Johnson (an elite prospect IMO) will be on the board. That being said, I think with Tyrique going to workout at that CB camp at the request of Al Harris, that means he's going to be given every chance to start. I wouldn't hate an experienced vet to keep him looking over his shoulder (hopefully not mid play this time). And while I'm here, why not look at late kickers. A bigger leg is a luxury need, but if you can accomplish a lot of the other things, spending a 6th or 7th or a kicker wouldn't be the worst idea. I expect a UDFA added though.

The only offensive coach on the list and the other 2 will never be NFL HCs again. Granted, McVay and Shanahan among others probably deserve some love too.

So, I actually think Teven's injuries are a tad bit overrated. He's played in 80% of the snaps over the last 3 years. That's a solid number considering he probably could have played the last game or 2 at the end of his IR stint to start 2023 that made him auto-sit 4 games. He also was yo-yoed between LG and RG and had to share snaps with Lucas Patrick at one point for a few games. My biggest issue with Teven is he seems to actually be the worst example on the Bears the last few years of how to handle a T/E stunt or identify a blitzing LB or DB. So if you can get a LG who has more awareness AND also more reliably on the field, I think you have to move on from Teven. He has no incentive to take a 1 year prove it deal if he can get more on the open market. ***the number of snap % may only include games he was NOT on IR.

Russell Wilson also made it so.....

No. Break the bank.

Just some thoughts over the last couple days. There's a lot of smoke that the Ian Cunningham will be the next Jaguars GM. That would get the Bears a pick at the end of the 3rd round this year and next. Pick 102 this year. Also, seems like Dennis Allen is going to be announced in the next day or so officially as the DC. Allen was with the Saints for the last 10 years before being fired midseason. Personnel wise, he likes them big. DEs drafted to the Saints since he's been there: Isaiah Foskey- 6-5, 270; Payton Turner 6-6, 270; Marcus Davenport 6-6, 265; Trey Hendrickson 6-4, 270; Al-Quaddin Muhammad (old friend) 6-3, 250, but this one was late 6th round. Al Harris is quite the add. Cowboys fans loved him. He seems like a future DC to me. CB coach for Trevon Diggs' 11 INT season, Daron Bland's 9 INT season last year, and Jourdan Lewis was PFF's 9th best coverage CB in the league this year. Between his coaching and Allen's CB friendly scheme, I expect a pretty good year from Tyrique Stevenson, who is already working out at a performance enhancing training facility at Harris' ask. Wright and Jones were left to block alone quite and bit, both to pretty good effectiveness. Lions rarely left their guys on an island. Wright performed better than Penei on islands and Jones performed better than Decker. Being able to run the ball, stay out of surefire passing scenarios, and potentially 10-15% more plays with help, there's a huge opportunity to take this OL from below average to really good, with some IOL reinforcements.

My 1 year of college football, was the year before he got to IU. I did play with his older brother, Curtis, who was a starting CB and probably the guy I talked to most on the team. I remember hearing about his brother who was one of the top HS players in the Chicago area, but wasn't heavily recruited because he was a 5'10 QB. Great college player though.

He's kind of fun. Can really scoot and good enough contact balance for his size. My issue with him is his ball security. If he can shore that up, he definitely is a sleeper. Outside zone scheme specific probably. Guy you want to find the crease and GO. I think he has a lot of potential as a receiver too. I think Swift is going to be around. His contract is basically all guaranteed and Johnson can co-exist with him. I just don't think he wants him getting anything close to the 300 touches he had this year. If the Bears do go after a guy like Henderson, I think it's more of a long-term move for the post Swift days (2026 and beyond). If he truly feels Henderson can thrive between the tackles though, it's possible they can co-exist. I don't think Roschon has much of a role and feel he will be a clear RB3 and RB3 for the Lions got 34 touches this year, despite Montgomery missing the last 3 weeks. Granted, they have 2 really good guys so that limits the 3rd guy a bunch too.

So uh.....hurry up and get this stupid Superbowl crap over with so we can get on to 2025

Possible. But Dallas is lurking at 12 as a RB needy team who loves big named prospects.

Interesting to see what type of RB they go with. This is a very fun RB draft. Lions ran a lot of inside zone and duo, not a lot of outside zone, even though Gibbs did a ton of damage on the outside, it was mostly power runs. There's not really a Gibbs in this draft. Henderson from Ohio St is a fun weapon. Can get the edge, great in the pass game as a receiver and the best pass blocker in the draft. But him in a backfield with Swift is kind of a weird combo. Would have to really like Roschon a lot for short yardage. Omarion Hampton from UNC is interesting. Ben Johnson's alma mater for one. Secondly, he is kinda similar to David Montgomery in his ability to just abuse defenders and bounce off of them for tough yards. But probably more limited laterally than Monty, with more long speed. Jeanty is probably the best combo of Montgomery's contact balance and Gibbs' speed, but requires using the 10th pick on. Not the best blocker or an accomplished receiver, but potential bellcow. Kaleb Johnson is fun, but more of a glider and outside zone fit, IMO. Judkins from Ohio St has the contact balance and better lateral movement than Hampton/Monty, but not a lot of long speed. The other RBs in this class are probably more RB2s, IMO. Have a few big speed guys, a couple guys with size, but not speed, and then Skattebo, who's an amazing receiver with great vision, but kinda slow.

Glenn was also drafted by and played most of his career with the Jets. Ended his career and I think started his coaching career with the Saints? I think he just simply has more loyalty to NYJ

Jets job >>>>> Saints job

Yeah, it was always pretty obvious to me that they were waiting for Johnson. If they would have not interviewed anyone until Johnson was available, then people would be saying they aren't doing enough. It does no harm to talk to a ton of people and build some relationships. Maybe someone wows you and agrees to a different role in the org. It just happened last year with Thomas Brown, who interviewed for OC and stayed on as pass game coordinator. I saw someone on Twitter laud the Jets process and diss the Bears, when they interviewed the same amount of people. Makes no sense.

If he'd take a discount to stay in Chicago, I'm sure he'd take one in LA. The Chargers could use another guy for sure. I'm guessing the Rams also cut ties with Cooper Kupp, who doesn't have much of a cap hit and has been passed as the top option there.

My guess is the Bears got word that Johnson wanted to make a decision pretty quickly after their season was over. And the Bears have a relationship with George (was with Bears in 2023 in Minority Coaching Fellowship program), who also lives in Chicago. So, he was probably literally a speed dial case. His interview also got announced pretty much at the buzzer of Saturday night's game. I know it's hard to believe, but the Bears actually did everything perfectly in this entire process.

Word is they basically decided on Johnson around Christmas. The numerous candidates were in case Ben didn't want them back. Also, there's was a decent chance Johnson could have gone to the Superbowl. They couldn't sit around and wait for him potentially for 4 weeks only interviewing a handful of people. They literally had to waste time. LOL

13Mil being reported. So 5/65 is my guess. I doubt they ever tell us the years on the deal.