BearFan PHX

of WR, DL and OL - best player available.

I think the idea is you want to give Caleb his signature guy to develop ESP with - that kind of communication because you grew up in the offense together, and you already know what the other guy is thinking. In the 70s and 80s there was always that stud receiver paired with the star QB for multiple seasons. If Poles is looking long term, then he loves Keenan Allen for giving Caleb a jump start, but he looks at that position as a hole long term. So this is our last top ten draft draft for a while. You want to use it on an impact position, which is QB (already done), Pass Rusher (including 3T), OT or WR. So you ask yourself not just what does the roster need this year, but who are my pillars for the next 10 years. If you think one of the WRs is a game changer, you take them regardless of Allen being on the roster. If you think there is a pass rusher who will take over games, you take him. If you think there is a left tackle that will keep Caleb clean for the next 12 years, you take him. So rather than looking at position and this years roster, ask instead, of the D linemen, WRs and OTs, which player is truly a difference maker. If you think Jared Verse is an edge rusher that can take over games and make Montez Sweat DE2, then you grab him. But if he isnt that, but some OT is, then you gotta go with the most talented game changer regardless of position. Maybe thats an argument for Bowers, or for trading up. Or maybe someone thinks Fashanu or Turner or whoever is that guy. But that's the point - whos the best impact player you can get, not what fills a roster hole in 2024 a little better?

Caleb green flag! LOL Apparently he's been meeting with the team on zoom calls every week having "frank" discussions - one assumes about ball security - and that speaks to being open to coaching. Awesome.

I guess the question is how you evaluate Fashanu. He is the only OT (after Alt) I think is worthy of the #9 pick. If we trade down, there are all kinds of OL options a little later, but they arent going to be blue chip Left OTs. Maybe Poles will get one of the big RTs a little later and move Wright to LT. Im not a big fan of moving guys who are dominating at their position, but maybe that's a smart move? Also, who is the Edge rusher? Im not sold on Latus injuries, or Turners scheme fit (I could be way off on that tho!) and Im not sure Verse jumps out as a difference maker the way Alt, Nabers, MHJ and Odunze do? This is our last top ten pick for a while, we need a difference maker, and to me, after Alt and the 3 WRs, thats probably Fashanu or Thomas. I probably need to go watch some film on Turner to be sure where I am on him. If he's that good, or Verse is, the DE is definitely a difference making position. I mean, the whole reason Im looking at OT is because they block the Edges lol

If Alt is there at 9 we will take him, but he wont make it to 7.

yeah, I just disagree, but I have no more facts than you (or Spielman) does, just my opinion too.

true. but you also have a lesser chance of hitting a home run too with lower picks, so it's like buying insurance against a bust, but you lose on the premiums?

Thank you for saying that. Listen i dont think that Spielman said it makes it WRONG either, it's just another opinion for sure. I just think the Bears are considering OT with their second pick. And DL and WR too.

Ok I can agree with that, a 5th round pick, you dont expect greatness so if you find it its a bonus. BUt if your plan is to build a roster, then youre picking higher because thats where the more likely successes are? So trading down doesnt necessarily make it better. When it comes to a 3rd rounder, year, 2 4ths are probably better, but if you have a certain guy targeted who fell, then thats better. But either way, this is our last top pick for a while, so you want to get a blue chip player if you can, and not just give away your upside for insurance?

if a 3T is the best DL available, we could definitely use them.

no, it's not a higher risk. more busts come out of each later round than in the first round. What I think you've discovered is that more unexpected players are able to break out of the mold at lower rounds at WR than OL. But lower round picks are still much more likely to bust?

I mostly agree. I think you can add Fashanu and possibly Thomas to the "take at 9" list which would lessen the trade down likelihood to only stupid rich trade offers. Or to just moving down to 11 or something.

totally, and we were there for a LONG time. You keep the roster decent, especially maybe on defense, and you dont lose enough games to get that really good QB. Trapped in the middle. This is why the idea of building a roster around a lesser QB is a bad idea. You dont win superbowls, but you dont fail enough to get a winner at QB.

I agree with all of this! Leno was a nightmare. PFF told us he was gold. LOL That's when I really soured on PFF. Like all of us, we watched the games, and saw how absolutely awful he was, and they were praising him as a top LT. It was probably the beginning of needing to see my own film. I also agree that having a QB like Williams who moves in the pocket in ways to help the OL will make things better, but I also know how a top 10 OL helps you win games, and close them out. If you can make first downs on the ground, there is no need to punt and play prevent defense. Imagine having Caleb as a top QB, and being able to still lean heavily on the run? That's how you win playoff games.

Possibly we will get that DE in a trade or free agency as rosters develop, and maybe mid season like Sweat at the trade deadline. Not bad to take a minute to get a look at younger players who need reps. But will we be adding a DE to this roster before the draft next year? 100% you guys are right.