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That's what they drafted him for. Booker's preseason injury caused Turner to get reps at end, for depth purposes. For that same purpose, they said Dayo could potentially see some 3T reps. The whole interchangeability idea that was floated was out of poor depth. I fully expect us to draft two DL within the first three rounds. Poles has made me wrong about the trenches 95% of the time. Hopefully, he starts following the Eagles and Seahawks plan. On the OL, I'll be surprised if we draft an LT. I'm not sure we draft a center either. Bradberry is a decent center and only 30 years old. Unless, I'm missing something, the Patriots got fleeced on this one. We really could have used that comp pick this year to fill out LB and safety. I'd love to see two DL, LB and S with the first four picks.

I know I've heard BJ say pass pro for LT is more important than run blocking. Hecht should be able to add strength to help his anchor. His draftbuzz profile says he lacks movement skills for outside zone schemes though. Conner Lew, Auburn, seems like the perfect developmental guy if his torn ACL recovers right. He is younger than most prospects at 20, so has youth on his side. Has outside zone movement and like all the athletic prospects will struggle against big NTs. Logan Jones is another name from Iowa. He was the most athletic tested at combine, but lacks anchor. Parker Brailsford Alabama is the same, lighter and can move. So if the Bears want movement for run schemes, they have options. I feel confident that there are enough center prospects that the Bears should find one and hopefully get the one the rank the highest for them.

Figuring out which OC fit our scheme is the hard part for me. Using Dalman as the reference followed by our choice to trade for Bradbury who both move well for centers. I think Hecht has similar movement skills. Reading draft profiles for Slaughter and Glubin they both will have limited range in run blocking that can affect our limit outside zone plays. Yet they both seem to anchor better in pass pro than Hecht. The first two likely have the higher floor especially in year one. Hecht might have the most upside long term for a team that is willing to be patient. What does Ben prioritize most in the traits he wants in a center?

I hope the light turns on for Stevenson. Al Harris had him attend offseason camp last year. Send him back again, the guy has ability but lacks the instinct to shut down. He has one more year to make it or be a one year deal elsewhere.

Agree - they aren’t going to move safety. Only one even an option would be Stevenson but even that I don’t expect and I don’t think they would hand him a starting gig.

Have to get a long term solution, so I see them drafting early as well. Rumors of Gordon, Stevenson, and Smith moving are just that.

I like your takes, nice work. I know simulators are kind of a joke, but Ive been taking Mike Washington RB with our 3rd. He might make the top of the 3rd. After him I dont see much flash except maybe a kid from Nebraska, Everett Johnson, last name might be off. Seen the Bears were one of the teams at Kansas St pro day, I believe for their C, Hecht. I like Slaughter FL, Hecht KS St, and Glubin Mich St for Center prospects.

This is well written. I think we see safety addressed early and for some reason I wouldn’t be shocked to see the add a wideout or other offensive weapon with first 3 picks (unless we see them add one more vet wideout). I also expect a DT before DE but it all dependens on who is on the board. I will caveat I could see safety being first pick - but if it is I think it will be because they traded back 5-10 spots to pick up another pick. Maybe end up with 4 2nd rounders.

I think we will see them draft a safety with one of first 3 picks. Seems very clear and this is a very good safety draft.

DT: I agree…what they think of Turner’s future position and future promise could decide where they go in Rd 1 (DE/DT). Safety needs a clear starter drafted. I don’t think we should get out of Rd 2 without taking one. WR depth: Don’t sleep on Kalif Raymond. I think he’s an upgrade over OZ but at the same time is not on par with DJ. However, watching his highlights he did a lot of the same short stuff for Detroit that DJ did for us last year. Likewise he caught a lot of passes similar to what we saw OZ do last year. Walker will need to step up his game and fill in the intermediate and deep routes. Hopefully Walker continues to perform well in the redzone as that could the biggest area we miss DJ experience. If they choose to add one more on Day 3 or just add one more vet FA after the draft but I think we might already have some guys in Maurice Alexander or JP Richardson who can contribute as 5th WRs. At least Ben was complimentary of those guys late last yeear. LT: don’t see us fixing that via the draft. Anyone with legit LT skills is likely gone. Otherwise we’re going to draft a backup-low end starter OT talent. Yet we have a few of those options already in house. Time to rely on Roushar to get one ‘em right. Center: Has to be a draft pick here likely by Rd 4. They read the FA market correctly and went with a cheaper viable option which allowed us to address greater needs like S with a big contract. Bradbury is good enough that this isn’t must have in the draft. Again, deep draft at OC don’t over spend in FA. Hopefully someone good that can be our long term solution falls our way. RB: Not looking to do anything earlier than Day 3 here and in that context I like Kaytron Allen. There’s no deep speed flashiness like Mike Washington has but he’s just productive in the same way that Monangai is productive. I have to do more scouting of the Day 3 prospects to see if there is one who can add the sizzle to the offense without being a complete liability elsewhere (i.e passing game).

We have 10 CBs signed if you count Cam Lewis as a CB. I don't think we have a large concern at that position. Lewis and maybe Terrell Smith play safety and then maybe we add to the room. Even jaylon Jones and Blackwell has had meaningful snaps at CB before.

Agree with both of those comments. I think maybe in a rotational situation, they both contribute more in their second year. Gallimore could be a sneaky good move, in limited snaps he had 4 sacks and 17 pressures, 3 batted passes and 33 Ts.

I believe it will be. I mentioned him being a safety the day he was drafted. It would be cool to be right about it...

I don't think they will go into the season expecting a rookie S to start unless they grab one in the first 2 rounds and get another vet S to temporarily fill that spot. I mentioned in another post, maybe that's Terrell Smith.

I appreciate the good work you do to keep the lights on in this virtual place.

I think they had an offer for Byard and went after Bryant that can play both positions, when Byard didn't sign right away, saw Bryant get more money he went to NE. As for letting some people go, we have to remember how bad we were and understand they are rebuilding the D by DAs standards.

He’s a good player but it was clear last year that he’s lost a step. I thought he’d be the perfect mentor for a rookie safety but Poles was able to find an upgrade and I’m glad he did. Coby has just 2 years experience at safety and is likely to have a sidekick rookie who has more years experience in the role than he does. Then again Coby offers a versatility in coverages that we never had with Byard, nor Brisker, because he can come down into the slot and cover. A few of the top safety prospects offer somewhat similar versatility. If we can get one of them then Dennis Allen will have his full playsheet of mix-and-match coverages at his disposal. We would not have had as much of that with Byard who is now mostly just a good fit in zone coverages. Not mentioned nor missed (IMO) is CJGJ who the Bears weren’t even interested in re-signing. I’m actually surprised the Bills signed him so early in FA and for up to $6mil this year. I don’t know what they watch in their film study but it does’t bode well for their future.

Everyone likes big names when we go free agency but Poles rarely does that. He hits and misses. Anyone they gave three years to are expected to make big contributions, 2 yrs are rotational and one year, hits and misses. Bush and Bryant were there big grabs and they bring speed. There are a lot of our resignings I thought would happen but injury concerns or age affected that. I think they offered a few contracts at their price to Byard and Gardner- Johnson and maybe Brisker but they went for more money. Brisker probably didn't like the one yr offer and wouldn't come back. As for safety, we have Bryant, Hicks and Cam Lewis can play multi positions but maybe Terrell Smith gets moved to S. I saw his draft profile and it was suggested that's his pro position. If they draft a CB in the first 5 rounds that may suggest that move.

Tomorrow the site will be down for a scheduled upgrade. Probably around noon central time - hopefully up by the evening.

My first reaction was, oh crap, they kicked me off but then I remembered this happened one other time. I bought a new phone and it took to the Website as a new user and saw this message. To show how addicted I am to stuff like this, I joined another site and it's crap compared to this one. Cudos for who manages this site, they do a great job.

Im not a big fan going round 1, but am intrigued with the kid from Oregon and if they take him round 1, I wouldnt whine. In a way, we will get a few additional players with Shemar Turner, Zah Frazier (6'3 w 4.35 speed), and Hypollite. They all needed time, so hoping they can shine. Draft safety, DT, and DE first 2 rounds and the "Bears did nothing" might change from all the FA whiners on socials. Round 3 maybe a Center.

Glad it's back up. I've been needing rant therapy from us being sodomized by the league office over comp picks for Cunningham. Literally no national sports talk host agrees with the NFL. None! The Rooney Rule is dead and buried...

This is a tremendous draft for safeties. Especially early.

Looking at the current roster after the signings, I see more work needed at: Safety- starter needed. This is the only position as of today with a high need. DT- upgrade/depth - they have Jarrett, Dexter, Gallimore, Street. I see Turners physique as another DT more than DE. Finding at least one prospect that can push for a starting job with Jarrett and Dexter both possibly gone after 2026. Turners health and progress could mean 2 are needed. DE - upgrade/depth- Montez/ Dayo/ Booker are a pretty decent rotation but finding another prospect to push these guys for production/sacks is needed. WR - depth - with Moore and Zacheous gone, the Bears need another body. That is a lot of snaps to replace. Walker will see a lot but another talent will be needed LT- Wildcard - the Bears have bodies. Trapilo, Jones, Willis, Benedet, Armagadjie to audition. The draft doesnt have many true LT prospect but Monroe Freeling who will be long gone. I think the Bears go with the 5 guys. C- depth - Bradberry could turn out good, he fits the scheme but the Bears would be smart to get another prospect. I like Newman, but feel he will be best to learn guard. RB- depth - Swift and Monongai are a nice tandem, but the Bears might surprise us if the right player is available to draft and develop as SwiftKey replacement. I am sure there are other positions with needs or upgrades but Safety and DT to me are the biggest.

I will upgrade forum software here before the draft - this will be planned - probably will be a day outage and I’ll give forum a heads up once we shut it down and run through it. So glad we are all back - missed all of our debates and dialogue and discussion.