ASHKUM BEAR

Am I the only one that crossed their fingers and repeated "please be Odunze, please be Odunze"?

Will play X, probably the best route runner out of the top 3. Gives the Bears a long term connection for CW.

They ran... pick is in

Hold on tight, about to get exciting. A head scratcher or a favorite, build that suspense

Sort of a surprise, but I felt SD needed to protect Herbert better and pair Alt with Slater.

The era has begun, Poles has his QB. Welcome Caleb Williams, now be the greatest.

Just knowing he is the pick takes a little of the excitement out of the draft, but then we have pick 9 and the not knowing which redeems the anticipation that you had as a child on Christmas morning. 24 hours and the excitement begins 🍻

Does knowing what the 1st "gift" pick take away some of the anticipation? I love draft weekend and it became a dedicated part of my life the year the Bears took McCown. What will make my #1 pick day is if the Bears can have Caleb Williams turn in the card for himself.

I seen that and as long as he gets a guy that can take over games, I am happy. Or a guy that can shut down someone, like Wright. Dexter in the future should be able to play both interior positions.

Stroud set expectations to this level. I believe Caleb can exceed that benchmark because the Bears were basically a 9 win team if the defense held up and the QB didn't fall apart trying to take the team on his back. They have added Keenan Allen, Swift, Bates, and Everett to upgrade the holes, so the offense along with a OC that is not a first timer. Williams will make mistakes, but he should exceed the previous QB.

I recall Caleb saying he played HS ball with Penn St LT Olum Fashanu. I wouldn't be shocked to hear his name called if the draft fell a certain way.

Barton also has a high iq for understanding and making line calls. I mentioned him months ago for C when he was listed mainly as OT. Been seeing some drafts with GB taking him rd1 because he has versatility to play anywhere. I wouldn't complain if Poles drafted him and if he is climbing, then maybe Frazier slides.

Right now, the projected blue-chip DE is Turner DE/OLB, but is he a scheme fit? I think Latu or Verse are closer fit, regarded as DE/Edge and can be blue, or is it Darius Robinson DL/DE? Size and college position determined class. A guy similiar to Sweat is Myles Cole DE Texas Tech if they look for a body style. Guys Poles should run for at 9 are Alt, Nabers, or Odunze. I think they can move down a few slots and get a tier 1b guy especially if Penix is there and the Raiders/Broncos want to bid against each other for him.

I am a oline guy, but I want nothing to do with drafting a G in round 1. If the team was complete and we were drafting at pick 25 or after, then maybe. I have the same thought on RB and MLB. Sure you can get a good one like Roquan, but you can also find cheaper equivalent talent later in the draft. If they draft oline at 9, better be LT and there are maybe 2 worthy. WR is always a need if you look at the price. Moore could have been a 2025 1st rd pick but we wanted him or Burns instead. Allen is a pricey 1 year rental (20mil), so getting a stud on the cheap now can help save money to pay either Jenkins or Davis down the road.

One thought that crosses my mind is what is more important to get, a stud LT, DE, or WR? This is taking into account that next draft the Bears could be looking at drafting 15-20th and can they get one of the 3 positions next year at that slot. With that thought, I hate to say it but Alt would have to be deeply considered. Yes, they have Braxton but saying they shouldn't shoot for a top 3-5 LT to pair with Wright and make the line one of the best is like saying QB wasn't a need with JF.