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It was announced on NFL.com that 13 players have accepted invitations to attend the draft. An impressive list: Table inside Article Name College Position Terrion Arnold Alabama Cornerback Jayden Daniels LSU Quarterback Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State Wide receiver J.C. Latham Alabama Offensive tackle Laiatu Latu UCLA Edge rusher Drake Maye North Carolina Quarterback Quinyon Mitchell Toledo Cornerback Malik Nabers LSU Wide receiver Rome Odunze Washington Wide receiver Darius Robinson Missouri Edge rusher Brian Thomas Jr. LSU Wide receiver Dallas Turner Alabama Edge rusher Caleb Williams USC Quarterback Let me add two notes. Before anyone complains, this was a copy-and-paste; I did not choose the order in which they were listed! It appears they chose to go in alphabetical order and not by projected draft ratings. I'm reasonably sure others may be added to the list before the draft. Please add them when announced.

The Athletic is by far my favorite site to visit, and "The Beast" is an awesome publication for subscribers. It's the best draft guide available, IMO.

*IF* Caleb will develop into the QB I envision, you are absolutely correct. Damn, I hate *IFs* LOL

At this point, it would take Washington's incredibly rich trade offer to convince Poles to trade down. If they offered something completely crazy such as this, I'd trade: This year's 1st & both 2nd round picks, along with their 1st rd selections for 2025 & 2026. I believe it would take something that crazy for Poles to trade the #1.

As we've all said repeatedly, it starts in the trenches. If our OL can give CW a clean pocket, with the offensive weapons we have, there is no reason why CW can't help us become a top 5 offense. If we can support Sweat in pressuring the quarterback (requiring a 3T and Edge to complement him), there's no reason we can't boast a top-five Defense. Our DB group is poised to shine. Now, we all need to stay healthy and safe so we can enjoy another Super Bowl Victory.

We also have DJM, KA, and Kmet as mentors for a young wide receiver who needs structure. This reminds me of Randy Moss when he entered the draft. He slid down the first round, and teams passed him because of off-field issues. We passed on Moss. Let's not make the same mistake and pass on this kid. If Nabers is there at 9, I say run, do not walk, to turn in the card.

Yep, I miss him, he was awesome. Should have gotten a HC gig by now.

I think there will be games where this new KO ruling is the deciding factor. Teams that figure out how to use it to gain field position and KO return TDs will have a huge advantage. Is Hightower capable? Last year, we were ranked 22nd in special teams. That's not a wow factor. I was not impressed with his resume when he was first hired. There will be teams who will figure out plays off of this new ruling to maximize its potential.

Yes, you and 'Kill' are probably right. I thought it changed recently with the NILs (allowing players to earn money from their sport before turning pro), but trying to research the question, it I am finding reports that the team drafting the players sustains rights to that player for one year. If they do not sign him, or trade him, after one year he can re-enter the draft. I still don't like the fact a player can screw a team who drafts him! But then again, I was a die-hard Colts fan growing up in the 50's and 60's and still find myself pissed off at Elway. (Damn, I have held a grudge for over 5 decades. LOL)

I could certainly be wrong, but I swear I read that a player could refuse to sign with the team that drafted them and return to the college system. Maybe another poster can confirm this or let me know I am senile. LOL

I agree. However, the NFL can do something to prevent/discourage a player who enters the draft, is drafted, and returns to play another year in college instead of playing for the team that drafts him.

Some players will still opt to enter the NFL Draft early with college eligibility remaining. Then, if they do so and find they are not happy (with the team that drafted them or maybe they thought by coming out early they'd be the top player in their position drafted only to find out they slide down the charts) then they could always return to their college team. So, as long as there are players leaving college for the NFL "early," the problem could remain.

I worry that the NILs will create another problem. Some college players are making millions of dollars from NILs. Let's say they are eligible to play another year in college but enter the draft. They are drafted by a team they don't want to play for, for any number of reasons. (This happens quite often but until now they had no options) Now, with the NILs being an issue, some of those disgruntled players may return to the college teams, continue to rake in the money from endorsements, and reenter the draft the following year. I think the NFL needs to eliminate this before it becomes a major issue. I would say if a player commits to the NFL and is drafted, then decides to stick it to the team that drafted him by returning to his college team, he should be prohibited from reentering the draft the following year. If the NFL team that drafted him pays a penalty because of his callous decision, then he should also pay a price!

I read the complete interview. It's an outstanding article. I have to agree 100%. Poles is the best GM the Bears have had since Jim Finks.

I was giving you grief over the expectations you now seem to have. (yes, using caps and such to make a point and not because I am mad. Believe me, if you ever really piss me off, you will not have to interpret my post, you will know.) I can remember you saying you didn't know which QB you preferred. You'd have to check the tapes. The very next day you said you had it figured out. Caleb was the guy. You watched the tapes. If we disagree, all we have to do is watch the tapes. Watch the tapes, Watch the tapes. Over and over, trying to pound it into our empty skulls that you know he is the guy because you watched the tapes. You made it sound like he could walk on water. You kept reminding us how he was generational, once in a lifetime. Worth umpteen #1s. So I couldn't resist pushing you a bit because now you are saying he will need time. Not to expect the finished product the first year. That I actually agree with. I was giving you shit because until recently, now that we are pretty sure Poles will draft him, you seemed to have much higher expectations. I posted the stats about Peyton & Andrew to show that two of the highest-rated QB prospects over the past 2 decades struggled in their rookie seasons. Hell, Peyton, one of the best QBs of all time, threw 26 TDs and 28 INTs! Both Luck & Manning's completion %s sucked. They had a lot of yards gained, but because they threw a ton of passes. If I was serious when I threw an elbow into your ribs, saying I expected a GOAT performance from Caleb the first year, I sure as hell wouldn't have posted Manning and Luck's stats from their rookie seasons proving just the opposite.

Gee, Thanks!

First off, I've told you, but you do not listen. I am not MAD about Fields leaving the Bears. I think it was a big mistake, but I trust Poles to do what is best for the team. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Fields as a starter for Pittsburgh. At Wilson's age, there will be an opportunity for Fields to start during the season. When he does get a chance, I think they will be hard-pressed to sit him. Best QB prospect in two decades! Can't miss prospect. Generational. Worth more than any package of a half dozen #1 draft picks. Poles should be fired if he doesn't select Caleb. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Now you are trying to lessen my expectations for this UNBELIEVABLY GIFTED GENERATIONAL PROSPECT? Sorry. With the vast improvements made this off-season to help him in the transition, I expect more than what you are suggesting.

With all of the hype Caleb has gotten, with everyone saying we'd be idiots to draft anyone else, and forget about a historically loaded trade of draft capitol, because Caleb is so Damn special, GENERATIONAL, I expect a hell-a-va lot more than flashes of greatness. (I might add, if all we can expect is "flashes of greatness" why did we just give Fields away to Pittsburgh? He provided us with "flashes of greatness." We let him go because we needed more than "flashes" and expect more from Caleb.) If Fields had been given the improvements that Caleb is being given, would he have had greater success? IMO, YES. Pittsburgh will be very happy they got Fields.

I think it is safe to make several assumptions. Caleb will be a Bear. Unless he holds out, gets injured, or plays like crap in the preseason, he will be our starting QB in game one of 2024. The question is, what can we expect from a "generational" quarterback in his rookie year? The only two quarterbacks I can remember having this much hype and high expectations before throwing their first NFL pass were, ironically, both with the Colts. I'm referring to, of course, Payton Manning and Andrew Luck. I checked how they and the Colts performed in the rookie years of both quarterbacks. The 1997 Colts had a record of 3-13. With Peyton Manning as the starting quarterback in 1998, they were, um, 3-13. They did turn it around in 1999 and were 13-3. In his rookie year, Peyton only completed 56.7% of his passes for 3739 yards, with 26 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. In 2011 (after 9 straight years of double-digit wins), the Colts slumped to 2-14. In 2012, Andrew's rookie year, they improved to 11-5. Luck again, like Peyton, had a poor completion %, 54.1, but threw for 4374 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. The bottom line is that I wasted my time. 😕 From all of this, I have no idea what to expect from Caleb.

Sign me up! 👍

It's going to be a great year to be a true football fan, in addition to being a fanatic supporting the best team of all time, THE BEARS! I am anxious to see the NEW Bears dominate! I am also anxious to see which of the six top quarterbacks are legitimate franchise quarterbacks and which ones are fool's gold. Fortunately, I have every pay-for-view option the NFL is using to rape the fans of every penny they can collect because of our addiction.

I like the players you selected for the Bears. You managed to grab our top 5 needs in the four rounds.

Agree. Teams are desperate for QBs, so I think there is a chance they reach for one who would otherwise be drafted late rd 1 or rd 2. My dream draft, although I doubt it happens, Bears draft Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze

01- Chicago - QB Caleb Williams 02- Washington - QB Jayden Daniels 03- New England - QB J.J. McCarty 04- Arizona - WR Marvin Harrison, Jr. 05- LA Chargers - WR Rome Odunze 06- NY Giants - QB Drake Maye 07- Tennessee - OL Joe Alt 08- Atlanta - EDGE Dallas Turner 09- Chicago - WR Malik Nabers 10- NY Jets - TE Brock Bowers 11- Minnesota - QB Bo Nix 12- Denver - QB Michael Penix, Jr. 13- LV Raiders - OL Taliese Fuaga 14- New Orleans - EDGE Jared Verse 15- Indianapolis - CB Terrion Arnold I'm sure there will be multiple trades in the top 15, but I'm not savvy enough to predict them, so I left it as is.

Yes, Owners do attend the winter meetings. I'm not worried about George interfering. I think by hiring Warren, they have shown they plan to allow Warren/Poles to manage the team.