raw

I will never understand thinking that you don't want to start a rookie against a tough defense, or on the road, or in primetime, or whatever factor that has to do with anything other than his ability to play. The Bears have a tough schedule this year (on paper) and if they're waiting for the perfect opportunity to throw him on the field, what happens if they don't play Detroit (or similar team) until Week 13? Everyone is excited about Fields because he does have big time talent, but he also has big time experience. He's the anti Trubisky who started 1 season, went to a mediocre bowl game and lost on that semi-big stage. If the Bears had drafted Trey Lance, I'd understand the hesitation to have him play right away (though it still doesn't make sense to me that a player learns so much from watching someone else play), but this is Justin Fields. This is why you picked him. It's the same thing with Teven Jenkins. Bears fans bitched and moaned about Leno for like the last 3 years, yet when they finally cut him everybody is panicking about Jenkins playing LT and not his more familiar position of RT, despite the fact that it's the same damn position. I understand not wanting the rookie to struggle and not wanting your franchise QB put in danger by a bad LT, but if Jenkins is a bad LT....he was going to be a bad RT too. Maybe that's not as bad because that's not the blindside, but also if your QB is taking big devastating blindside hits, his pocket awareness isn't what it needs to be in the first place. If rookies are bad, hiding them is just going to delay what's going to happen anyway.

Is the "fleeing from the cops" thing confirmed? It feels like if he was fleeing from the cops, he wouldn't have been missing for 3 days. Wouldn't the cops have found him?

Not to look too far ahead, because I'm super excited about this season whether the team is a contender or not, but I was putting Ryan Pace in perspective the other day and it's pretty interesting. Despite trading 2 firsts for Khalil Mack; Trubisky, White and Shaheen being early pick busts; and all the trades up for Fields, Jenkins, Miller, and Trubisky.....Pace has actually built a team that has the makings of a strong homegrown contender. If you assume no-brainer cuts next offseason of Foles, Trevathan and Quinn; and re-signings of guys like Daniels and Nichols, the Bears will have 27 of 31 players under contract for 2022 who were either drafted or signed as UDFAs by the Bears. Just Mack, Blackson, Edwards, and Attaochu would be under contract from outside organizations. Throw in their 2nd, 3rd and 5th round picks next year (don't have 1st and 4th, not counting on 6th or 7th rounders) and the Bears have a solid base of 30 of 34 roster spots tied to homegrown players. If Anthony Miller turns things around & re-signs (and hasn't burnt all his bridges) and the Bears continue to sign guys like Bush, DHC and O'Donnell to 1-year deals, that number goes up to 34 of 38. League average is 60% homegrown roster (33 of 55 players). Additionally, the Bears would potentially have impact players at each position. QB- Fields, RB- Montgomery/Cohen, WR- Mooney, TE- Kmet, OT- Jenkins- IOL- Whitehair/Daniels, DL- Goldman/Nichols, OLB- Mack, ILB- Smith, CB- Johnson, S- Jackson If the Bears can get 1 or 2 breakouts from any of the Day 3 picks or UDFAs the last couple years (especially between Graham, Vildor, or Shelley at CB), the depth will be in pretty good shape. Throw in the cap room to add 2 or 3 big time FAs (depending on if they can re-sign Robinson) and this already "not terrible" team could become a contender in a hurry. Granted, this hinges on Fields and Jenkins living up to their potential, but the Bears certainly feel like they're in a much better place than they were this time 2017.

I'm admittedly a contrarian on this point, but moving Quinn's guarantees doesn't make him harder to cut later on. Yes, it creates a potential big dead cap penalty in 2022, but it's offset by the 2021 savings you need now. The only difference is timing, but it's all a sunk cost. And sunk costs shouldn't determine personnel decisions. The only cap downside is it makes it much harder to trade him in 2021, but I'm assuming that's a very narrow possibility anyways to the point that it's of zero concern. Yeah, I forgot you were that guy. And yes, you are right. And it actually makes a lot of sense with a little extra space next year (can also june 1 cut him and spread the damage out over 2 years).

Shrug Yep, outside WR. My guess is Javon Wims gets his name in the news soon.

Restructure Quinn. Cut Graham/Hicks. Even a Goldman restructure is out there- that's only a few mil, but any FA add this late shouldn't be a ton of money- not sure who's even out there-anyone actually better than Trufant, or is it about just throwing bodies out there? Restructuring Quinn keeps him on the team longer as his guaranteed money would be more spread out. Unless it's just a straight pay cut, that's a bad idea. Best outside CB on the market is probably Breshaud Breeland, unless you think Richard Sherman or Josh Norman still have anything left in the tank. Lot of interesting nickel guys, but I think the Bears have enough quantity there to turn into quality.

What do you think they will do with that cap room? Or did they need it in order to sign their draft class? I suppose holding onto it for an extension would be a good idea, or maybe to work out a long term deal with Allen Robinson Only had like 300K in cap space before this cut. Needed it to sign the draft class.

I'm still not in a hurry to sign Robinson. He has no reason to come off his asking price (20M/year) and even with Fields, the Bears have no reason to pay him that. Plus, I'm going to write a Fields outlook article (even though I have no site to write for anymore) and I actually don't think Robinson is a great fit for the type of offense I think Fields would run best. Obviously, it wouldn't hurt to have Robinson either, but I do think the Bears could make out much better with the resources it would take to keep him and still do right by their hopeful franchise QB.

Yeah, seems like big cut decisions came down to Fuller vs. Hicks and Leno vs. Graham. I disagree with both decisions they made if those comparisons actually went into the thought process. But in the grand scheme, all 4 weren't going to be here in 2022 anyway so probably not a big deal.

Sucks for Leno, but like the bold move. You don't move up to the early 2nd round (giving up an extra top 100 pick in the process) to play a guy at RT, especially when you need to cut a big salary to even sign said player and his fellow draft class.

It may depend on how early in the season Dalton gets concussed. Regardless, I don't think there's any way that Fields isn't the starting QB at some point this season. I'm a little unsure of the defense too. They've got just as much to prove as the offense, imo. I'm optimistic they can get 9 wins. Yeah, I don't like the defense as much as I did last year. Fuller to Trufant is a big downgrade. Gipson and Hicks will probably be worse than last year. Johnson's shoulder scares me. Trevathan and Quinn, best hope they are not stealing money this year again. Offensively, Dalton isn't very good. One thing I will say vs Trubisky is he's more likely to be consistently mediocre instead of flipping between good and disastrous games. On paper the Bears should be able to run the ball better next year, and if Fields gets in there he adds another dimension to the redzone so I have hope they can up the scoring, but ultimately probably still a 7-to-10 win expected win range. Sent from my SM-A115AZ using Tapatalk

After the 1st pick of the 3rd round, the Jaguars had made 5 picks and 29 of the other 31 teams had picked no more than 2 players.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this draft. Fields and Jenkins are obviously no brainers. But I love most of the day 3 picks too. I think all will make the team, and can see all of them contributing by 2022 if not sooner. Herbert- I don't really love the pick of a RB at all. Thought the depth chart was good enough, but got a talent player. Thomas Graham, what more can I say? Named him one of "My Guys" on Twitter. Also a top 100 talent per PFF Tonga (and Graham) here in November with me naming them to my all "favorite" prospect defense Got some Dazz stuff too Not sure on the Herbert pick based on need and what was on the board. But also never watched Borom, so dont really know what to think there. Hoping for the best.

Oh I forgot about D'Ante Smith, who's a small, athletic LT prospect who did well at the Senior Bowl Also, if you're looking for Pace to after a small school freak, watch for Zach Davidson from Central Missouri State. He's a 6'7" TE who doubles as a punter!

Best available for Bears needs/fit: WR Tylan Wallace - polished WR prospect, more mature version of Anthony Miller who's a step faster, probably not around at 151 Amon-Ra St Brown - reminds me of Juju (same college), can play any WR position Ihmir Smith-Marsette- not super productive at Iowa (no one ever is), fast, athletic, lots of upside Jaelon Darden - small, skinny dude (5'7, 170), didn't time super fast, but can fly and make guys miss albeit at small school level Shi Smith - small slot WR who can run and get open, suffered from poor QB play, not very strong Marquez Stevenson - similar to Darden, but taller, more straight line fast than shifty Josh Imatorbhebhe- 6'2, 210 freak athlete with like a 46" high jump, very raw as a WR Tamorrion Terry- 6'4" deep threat WR, who disappointed at the mess of a program at FSU Trevon Grimes- also 6'4, timed much faster than I expected, not a great route runner, but jump ball deep threat Dazz Newsome - slot WR and return specialist, decent at everything, no standout traits CB Thomas Graham Jr - big fan, outside CB who is not a great athlete, but did well at Senior Bowl, opted out 2020 Kary Vincent Jr- speedy nickel CB, who may be able to start outside at 5'10. Shaun Wade- former 1st round prospect, who struggled outside in 2020 after being a stud in the slot, could move to safety Robert Rochell- small school CB, with a lot of ball production (10 INT, 25 PBU), technique needs work, high upside IMO Olaijah Griffin - honestly didn't watch him much, but moved up draft boards late; his dad is rapper, Warren G Zech McPherson - same as Griffin except his dad didn't make the #1 song of 1994 Avery Williams - slot CB size, with great ST value on coverage teams and as a return man Rodarius Williams - good size CB with 31 career PBUs, OLDER brother of Browns Greedy Williams Others Daviyon Nixon, DL - knew I was higher on him (top 20) than most, but day 3 is ridiculous value Trey Smith, OG - also higher on him than most, he's really good but had a heart issue a couple years back which is why he's on the board Bobby Brown III, DL - 20-year old with nice athletic profile and upside Brevin Jordan, TE - not as athletic as I thought, but good after catch, if they wanted to cut Graham he could step right in Stone Forsythe, OT - 6'8" good athlete, very raw but lot of upside

Do they cut Leno and put Jenkins at LT? Seems like the smart move considering you spent 2 picks on him. You would think he would play the premium position on the OL. Either way they have some flexibility. LT could be Leno or Jenkins RT could be Ifedi or Jenkins LG-C-RG could be any combination of Ifedi (RG only), Daniels, Whitehair, and Mustipher (C only).

Wow. Great pick. Don't love the trade up, but LOVE the player.

Are they? Nagy should be There's definitely a scenario where Nagy goes and Pace stays (opposite probably not possible). How Nagy manages the QB situation, win/loss record, how the offense looks in general once Fields gets in there, will all play a factor. Byron Leftwich is interesting if they move on from Nagy. I think his style of offense plays into Fields' strengths.

Specifically RT? I don't typically distinguish between left or right T unless I'm talking about fit for the Bears specifically. I think any tackle can play the right side, but not all can play left. And interestingly enough, I actually think LT is more of a need than RT. I think Ifedi at 4.5Mil is starting at RT. The ideal scenario would be getting a LT and cutting Leno to have money to sign the draft picks. But anyway, I guess I'd say: 1. Teven Jenkins - RT exclusively at Okla St, but think he could play LT 2. Samuel Cosmi - more of a LT, but played RT early at Texas 3. Jalen Mayfield - 20 year old, raw talent, not super athletic, maybe a guard? 4. Dillon Radunz- more of a LT, blocked for Trey Lance in college 5. Liam Eichenberg 6. Spencer Brown - 6'9" freak athlete, but very raw from FCS Northern Iowa 7. Walker Little - former 5* recruit, dealt with injuries and opt out, if healthy had potential to be a top 10 pick, but played 1 game since 2018 season.

Yeah, he's a perfect fit. Ballhawking off-man/zone corner with good instincts and obviously bloodlines. Also seems like a guy that would perform well with the talent that would surround him on this defense vs. what he had with a bunch of underachievers at FSU. But I'm a big proponent of after taking a QB early, you either protect him or give him a target with the next pick.

Nice list. I like Eskridge more than Brown at the end but can’t quibble. I’d trade down unless Jenkins or E. Moore somehow are still available at 52 (you can’t pass up that type of talent at a position of need). Guess you can also trade Anthony Miller for draft capital. I have Eskridge ranked higher too. And the Bears supposedly love him from rumors last week. But I considered him more as a trade down candidate based on the board than the pick at 52. I see those other WRs going before him, rightly or not.

Agreed. Can't really be more tested on the college level as far as level of competition and high stakes games he played in over the last 2 years. He obviously has things to work on, but I definitely don't see him as a guy that needs to sit the entire year. For the record, I don't think Mahomes needed to either. In fact, I think almost nobody NEEDS to sit. Not really sure it's been proven either way that a QB learns a ton from watching someone else play football.

Big Board based on the Bears needs/fit: 1. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma St. - top 20 player on my board, position of huge need 2. Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss - maybe best hands in draft, most productive, experienced slot guy with great speed, RAC ability 3. Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas - prototype zone blocking LT, college coach is on Bears staff 4. Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU - big WR, looked great taking of Jordan Jefferson role last season at LSU. Can play slot or outside 5. Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia - not a huge need, but my #2 edge rusher. Great fit in 3-4. Quinn cut candidate after 2021 6. Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida St. - clone of his dad who averaged 6.5 INTs per year in his prime 7. Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota St. - Athletic LT prospect w/ some nastiness. Low level of college competition 8. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU - would pair with Jackson to give a strong coverage S duo, which would be nice w/ weak at CB 9. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame - boring OT prospect, but ND guys typically translate, solid 8-year vet type 10. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue - very fast & shifty, don't love the fit as his size/skillset is redundant to Cohen, but more speed = good 11. Daviyon Nixon, DL, Iowa - top 20 player on my board, could allow to cut Hicks for cap space, ton of potential 12. Jevon Holland, S, Oregon - another solid pair for Jackson, can cover the slot, opted out of 2020 13. Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia - speedy, athletic corner who is a solid compliment to Johnson, like in Cover 3/off man 14. Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky - same description as Campbell, more swagger, but also moonlights as a rapper 15. Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina- don't love the fit, as he's not really a slot guy, would move ARob there on 3WR sets, but deep ball threat that meshes well with Fields' skillset. There are several players I have rated higher than some of this list, but I don't deem them as good fits or needs (LBs, RBs, RTs), so it's very possible the Bears will have their pick of a couple of these guys. I think the Bears will go 3 ways in the 2nd round: WR, CB, or OT. I'm leaning OT, especially if one of the 4 listed are on the board. I'd cut Leno after June 1 and have the cap space to sign all the draft picks. But if Elijah Moore or Samuel Jr. are on the board, I think they are good enough to justify waiting on OT. I could also see them trading back from 52, if the steals are gone (top 5 listed), and recouping either the 4th or 5th they don't have.

Dalton hasn't exactly been a picture of health. Hasn't made it through 16 in 3 seasons (last year wasn't the starter, but got hurt on an illegal hit to miss a game). When Fields starts all depends on how well he grasps the offense and how well the team plays. There will be a LOT of pressure to play him early. Maybe not Week 1, but I'd put the over/under around Week/Game 5 (same week Mitch got the reins). Even if Dalton is winning games, unless he's putting up 100+ QB ratings and 30 ppg on offense, the desire to play Fields will still be there.

They got people to give up something of value for Jimmy G and Jacoby Brissett based on this fake narrative. Sickens me.