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I think of it as - push him in training camp and push him hard with the staff - but know you have Jones and Benedet as bridges until you are ready. If you think in a year or two he's a probowl / well above average LT - than you got to get him. I'm not worried about whether he's ready day 1 - I worry about do they think he's got the elite skillset and has he shown enough on tape and is he the type of guy who will respond to coaching and maximize his potential (cause he seems to have a very projectable future).

He was good enough that their starting LT got moved to RT (who is also going to go in the draft). I think Lomu is very projectable. There is definitely risk but this guy profiles to develop into an above average LT. Maybe not plug and play - but I like him a LOT more than Trapillo (who to his credit was passable - but Trapillo still to me is a RT or maybe a guard longer term). If Bears move up - I'm doing it to make sure I get this guy (presuming they do have him graded as an above avg LT). I also believe in the Bears oline coach to develop someone like this. I also am less enamored with the dline candidates sitting there at 25 and I think the dropoff to the next group of LT candidates is non-existent (ie if you don't take one at 25 - don't bother addressing LT in this draft). At same time - don't reach, has to be you really see this guy projecting out. At same time - if he was that good, in a draft with few LT candidates, the next question is why is he actually dropping to the high teens / early to mid 20's? Maybe small school works here.

My only question with Lomu is that I see a lot of evaluations saying he's going to be good but might not be good right away. I'm not remotely qualified to opine on that, so I really have no idea how true that is, but I would think given the position that the Bears are in, if they want a LT in the first round, they want someone who they think can start right away. Or maybe even Lomu starting right away is better than your in house options. I don't know. I guess we'll know in 12 hours or so . . .

He is only 21, so he has time to add strength. Started 3 season at LT for Utah, so we can review his performances against some pro caliber ends. He kind of reminds me of Lane Johnsons frame

I've said I prefer an Edge as our pick if we do not trade down; however, I can certainly understand drafting a left OT in the first. The thing I see when I view images of Lomu is a tall, skinny guy, yet he is supposed to weigh 311.

There are rumors of trading up, and rumors of trading down, so with many variables I will stay at 25 and take BPA that I see the Bears eyeing. A. Zion Young DE - he is a DE that will hold his edge. As a pass rusher, he lacks the elite athleticism to be a constant threat since he relies on bull rush. At pick 25, you get a solid DE who could refine technique to improve B. Chris Johnson CB- I like him better than Hood if the Bears feel CB is bpa. C. Caleb Lomu OT- he has the best skill set for zone blocking and a natural LT where Trapilo is a natural RT, who can fill if needed at LT. After 2026 season, Jones and Willis are FAs and Trapilo coming off injury with a ? on his movement/strength, they will need an solid answer. Hate to say it, but I have the Bears going LT Lomu. The Bears have a future gem in Caleb Williams and investing in him should be top priority. How it could look after Friday night. Get a future LT and C, a versatile S to pair with Bryant and DE to add to rotation with Sweat, Dayo, and Booker. I know we want elite pass rushing, but you have to sacrifice a 3 down player for a situational player.

I said CB in another thread and I’m staying with that if we stay at 25. Colton Hood seems like the one to be best available Like everyone else I’d love a good trade down just a few spots to late first or early second.

Love some excitement now in the offseason. I think they'll go DB in first round unless a DE or LT slides down.

EDGE - Messidor

Maybe Thieneman?

you may be right about the OTs. I sure hope not, but it's not crazy to think that at all.

Biggs floated a rumor that Bears have a team they are set to move up a few spots for if the player they want gets there. Not sure who that might be. I think Mesidor fits as do some of these OT's as I don't think any of them get to the Bears pick. Key here is - do Bears see a material fall off between who they can get 3-5 spots higher vs. where they sit and is the value there. I'm hoping cost to move up wouldn't be that bad. I also think if it doesn't go there way, plenty of possibilities they move back a bit.

I think we are looking at OT with the first pick. My guess is Blake Miller from Clemson, possibly Lomu or Iheanachor. In round 2, I think Edge and S. Joshua Josephs or Dani Dennis-Sutton at Edge and Emanuel McNeil-Warren or AJ Haulcy at Safety. In the 3rd, I think we are looking at a Center or a Wide Receiver. Hecht at Center, or Bryce Lance or DeZuan Stribling at WR. It's possible that we will go safety a little lower and target Bud Clark, in which case, we might see an earlier WR like Germie Bernard or a CB like Colton Hood. And somewhere in there, itd be nice to see a 3T like Gracen Halton. And I wouldnt mind doubling down on DE later with a guy like Nadame Tucker. He's a situational pass rusher, so not an every down player, but a great piece to add with a later pick.

Last full prediction from me: 1) TJ Parker, DE, Clemson - Had Mesidor in the last one (and would still love him), but then realized Parker had the year Mesidor had at age 24 in 2024 at age 20, which pushes him over the edge (no pun intended). 2) D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana - Yeah, he doesn't fit the DA size preference at CB, but he checks literally every other box the Bears have been preaching in the Ben Johnson era - fast, tough, competitive, smart, comes up with big plays. Poles feels like the kind of guy who would take a shot at him *Trade #60 for a high 3rd and high 5th 3a) Bud Clark, S, TCU - Just a guy who makes plays at safety and has the experience to step right in and start. 3b) Logan Jones, C, Iowa - Mover at C to take over for Bradberry and maybe even push him this year. 4) Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC - Caleb knows him from USC and if he's still there when day three, maybe he puts in a good word for him with Poles & Ben. His highlights are as impressive as anyone's, IMO. 5) Eli Heidenreich, WR/RB, Navy - Swiss army knife that Ben can find a use for. 7a) Aaron Graves, DT, Iowa - Same as 7th round pick as my last mock. Fits the DA 3T type and is flying under the radar. 7b) Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech - A box safety/LB hybrid for depth.

Guy I want the most who won't be there - Dillion Thieneman, S, Oregon Guy I want the most who might be there - Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami Guy I don't want I'm worried they might take - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson Dark horse pick I can't quite commit to predicting (but I want to look like a genius if he's the pick) - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee Actual Prediction - TJ Parker, DE, Clemson

My guy would be Akheem Mesidor. My #1 priority in this draft would be to give our DC a 3 down player who can start day one, game one, THIS YEAR, and pressure/sack the QB. Yes, he's 25. Yes, he had foot surgery a few years back. But players like Bain will be long gone. I think Mesidor will be the last one standing when we pick at #25 to fill the role I want Poles to address. If no one is available to fill the role I want to prioritize, I want to trade down and get another round 2 pick.

What say you? I'm going to go OT - I think they move up a few spots and grab the Utah prospect. If not OT, I think it will be a DB and think it would be the Tulane safety or a trade down and they grab the IU DB.

I see Woods end up being a good player but not a difference maker. Dexter type of pick? With our first pick we need a difference maker, if one is still there.

To be honest, I won't have a problem with whoever the first pick is, it's the bulk of picks and needs. As long as they address all our needs im good.

I want a player from a tough conference with at least 2 years of starter production. No 'hidden gem' from a small school in a weak conference. No player with 6 total sacks in 3 years, "but it must have been the scheme." Potential is nice, quality stats are better. And I have to add, forget about the guy who can jump out of the swimming pool. Age doesn't bother me so much. If I draft a guy 1st round and he gives me 5 years of blue-chip production on a rookie contract, hallelujah!

The downward spiral has been interesting. We go from he’ll be long gone before we pick. To he might drop close to us. He will likely be taken around 25. Nah he's a second rounder. Just being a casual observer it’s been hard for me to figure it out when there is no obvious red flag I think Clay Harbor hit the nail on the head yesterday What is he? 3 tech? Pass rush production hasn’t been there Ok we’ve all known that but maybe it was scheme related and what he was asked to do Then he said he can’t anchor against double teams The light went on for me

The last time the draft was in Pittsburgh was 1947 and Heinz is based there. The fine folks at Heinz had a lot of time to plan.

I like it. Wonder what took them so long to do this. The NFL accountants are now thinking they can get a sponsor for each pick. Dunkin donuts for pick 12?

Does it increase the value of our pick if traded? 🤣

As a side note to this week’s draft saw this interesting story pop up. (Assuming that it’s not AI effing with me).