Pixote

I sometimes get tired of mock drafts in that they all seem to rubber stamp themselves and then just change a few selections here and there to make it look like the author of the mock draft did not cheat, LOL The new CSN CHICAGO'S 2017 NFL MOCK DRAFT: VERSION 1.0 was just posted on 2/7 and I found to be interesting. What I found interesting, despite some of our posters on this forum mentioning it in the past, 2 options were given that I do not believe I have seen any other mock draft predict. 1) First round selection of Solomon Thomas (DL), Stanford, nice explanation given as to why this selection was made. 2) Predicting the Bears will deal their second-rounder, plus a 2018 third-round selection to the Patriots for Jimmy Garoppolo. Like I said, I enjoy seeing Mock Drafts that are reasonable (not involving 20 trades and 1st round picks projected in the 3rd round, LOL) and, more importantly, does not look like the author sent in a modified rubber stamped mock they found on the net. Agree or disagree with it, at least it gives us something to think about.

I also read that Cleveland, San Francisco, NY Jets, and Buffalo are interested in Jimmy G, possibly others as well. Sounds like, as you guys have already said, reporters flying baloons, slow period for legit news... My guess is the cost to obtain Jimmy G will be too high with competition anticipated making it too risky Bills' Tyrod Taylor might become available, night be cut or traded. If cut and we could get him at a reasonable cost would he be a good stop gap QB - better than what we already have ;-) Key words here, "CUT" & "REASONABLE COST"

OK, time to show how little I know about NCAAF. I thought Myles Garrett was considered a DE prospect for both a 4/3 & 3/4 defense. Lately, I am seeing more and more sites (and posters on this forum) refer to him as an OLB prospect. So those of you who are more knowledgeable than I am. please fill me in...... If for some reason he was still available at #3 and the Bears drafted him for our 3/4 defence, what position would he play? DE or OLB? If at DE I would absolutely love the pick. If at OLB, I assume we would have quite a few very good offers for a trade down, I would take the trade.

I was not high on Jonathan Allen before this story broke. This obviously only strengthens my opinion that we do not draft him Round #1 Pick #3 We cannot afford to gamble on any player with significant injury history with a top 5 pick. If it becomes one of those head scratchers where he drops like a rock in the draft and all of a sudden is there in round 2, maybe.

Tough one for me. For FA I would prefer Eric Berry, although I still suspect KC will find a way to keep him. I think whoever signs Calais Campbell overpays and regrets it big time. So with wanting Berry I have 3 options, I am not big on Allen or Trubisky which leaves me with: Eric Berry & Deshaun Watson Personally, I would love to have Eric Berry and either Garrett (can always hope for a miricale that he drops) or either Jamal Adams or Malik Hooker. I want a strong secondary, I want turnovers. I would draft QB but not in Round 1 unless we had a hell of a deal to trade down.

I believe I heard that on day 3 the Browns staff & the Bears staff will switch sides for 1 day to get a chance to work with "the other side". I am not sure but I think I heard this on the TV coverage of the Senior Bowl practice yesterday. I hope that is the case as it would offer Fox & Co. insight into "ALL" of the Senior Bowl participants.

Hicks & Garrett at DE Goldman at NT McPhee & Floyd OLB Freeman & Trevathan ILB Now that would be a solid front 7 on D, get 4 good DBs to go with them and you have a top 5 D.

I did see that Cleveland asked Watson to play in the Senior Bowl, interesting. So if Cleveland goes QB #1 with Watson or ??? San Francisco with new HC will be tempted to draft a QB at #2 So hyperthetically, we could be seeing Garrett drop to number 3? If that happens, no doubt about it, I would draft Garrett. (If Garrett was on the Board at that time I bet there would be some major trade down oportunities for Pace!) I was not at all impressed with what I saw out of DE J. Allen during his last 2 playoff games. If Garrett is gone in the top 2 picks and DE J. Allen is there for us at #3 I would far rather see the Bears pick a QB at #3 than to choose him. I am not 100% sure about a QB at #3 in round 1 but I am becoming more comfortable with the idea when looking at the other options, or should I say the lack of available options, to clean up our long time deficiency at QB.

There was an article on CSNChicago.com about the Bears that I found interesting. It gave team stats in some offensive and defensive areas for the Bears compared to teams which made the playoffs this year. I was actually surprised by the info provided and encouraged in that if we could rank that favorably with the 2016 playoff teams with 19 players on IR, what could we accomplish in 2017 with a healthy roster and key additions made this opffseason in FA and the draft? It is a long offseason.

LOL, Chief fans are nuts IMO. I actually think Reid is a damn good HC. And although Alex Smith is not a top 10 QB, he is a heck of a lot better than anything we have had on our roster over the past decade. Sure hope the KC brass screws up and allows Eric Berry to test the FA market.

I would absolutely love having Eric Berry in a Bears' Uni. Has anyone heard anything as to KC's intentions, are they going to hit him with another francise tag or pay up big time? I know there was some question last year, I have not heard what their position is this year. If we can get him, it is a no brainer, lock him up.

Romo has had surgeries 2 years running, has only started 4 games in 2 years. the 4 he started in 2015 he threw 5 TDs to 7 INTs. If this was 3 years ago before multiple back injuries I would be all for trading for Romo, IF he is even made available, only Jerry knows. However, at this point, I don't think it would be a wise move. Hell, I could be wrong, maybe he starts all 16 regular season games in 2017, wins comeback player of the year, and has success in the post season. OR. WHAT I FEAR, he winds up injuring his back again and misses most if not all of 2017 before finally retiring. Think about it, everyone says Dallas always has one of the best OLs in the NFL yet Romo has had 2 significant back injuries. Is he going to fare better with a lesser OL providing him protection?

AZ54, Great post!

My gut feeling tells me Billy Boy will want more. I hope you are right. I would be willing to roll the dice with the trade you are proposing for Jimmy G. I have some doubts about him but every option I see on the table for the Bears QB in 2017 has major question marks.

Ouch, that article is enough to put some Bear Fans on suicide watch, LOL. Unfortunately, I have to agree with some of the points he makes.

I agree, and have stated in the past, that I would be willing to trade a 2nd round pick along with a 4th for Jimmy G. Unfortunately, NEP is rumored to want a 1st round pick, not a 2nd round pick, in addition to a 4th rounder. NEP drafted Jimmy G in the 2nd round so why would they turn around and trade him unless they could get more than they gave to get him? Billy Boy is a pretty screwd negotiator.

Found this article, "Cautionary quarterback tales for Bears as playoffs move along", on the CSN Chicago Sports Website. In the article this quote says it all as to my concern over trading for JG from NEP:

Hope he can get it together. From what I read his issues are 2 fold. Bad route running and a head case. The guy is only 25 years old. Good size and from his stats obviously has some skil sets at WR. But let go by NYG then does not even make the roster in Philly. Maybe sitting out a year will be the wake up call he needs? Would be nice. A "Futures" contract is usually for League minimum with little or no bonus involved, zero risk to the team. The cap hit does not take place until the "future" year but in the meantime no other team can sign the player. Like Stinger said, these seldom work out, but hey, why not take a "no risk" flyer on the guy?

I think we all can agree we need to do a major overhaul of our DBs. So when is too early for a team to select a prospect in the draft for a CB or Safety position? There always seems to be a reluctance to draft a top flight DB in the top 5 of the draft. If that player is a difference maker in a position we are in desperate need to improve, is a top 5 too soon? Ideally we find a trade partner, drop down 5 or 6 slots, get an extra 2nd or 3rd, snd still get a guy like Allen. The problem is trade partners are sometimes very hard to find.

Is this guy as good as the article is claiming? I did not have a chance to watch any of the regular season college football and know zip squat about the players entering the draft other than what I read. They make this guy sound like a can't miss prospect.

I think you can still be considered a sleeper in the draft even if you are from a major program like Alabama. My guess is he may be on the board on day 3. He was stuck on the bench behind DE Allen who is one of the top players in this years draft. As a result, never given a chance to be a starter for Alabama Former #1 recruit coming out of HS Did good in limited reps when given a chance Extremely strong, good speed, high character

Who do you feel could be the "sleeper" in this years draft? I ask because I came across this article about DE Da'Shawn Hand, Alabama, and I am thinking he could indeed be an interesting prospect. I know a few of you follow Alabama & NCAAF so I was curious as to your take on this guy, do you think he could be a hidden gem? Is there a player you think will "fly under the radar" of NFL scouts and make an impact in the NFL?

I have said the same in the past month on the forum, I agree 100% about the risks involved and have thought it to be another "Matt Cassel" sucker bet. What is depressing is that over the past month I have also been looking at the QBs in the draft and cannot get excited about any of them. At best, there may be a couple who would be good starting QBs with some time to learn behind a quality starter, something we do not have. Of course, there could be that rare sleeper, late round gem. Like playing the lottery. Worse yet, out of all the potential FA QBs or QBs mentioned as possibly being available in a trade, the best one I can find, IMO, is Jay Cutler, which is about as depressing as it can be because, like many of you, I want him GONE. Romo's age & injury history makes him a foolish option, IMO. Unfortunately, the 2nd best option for a possible QB available from a current NFL roster is probably Jimmy G., UGH I wouldn't mind it if NE would accept a 2nd round pick for him, but being they drafted him in the 2nd round, albeit a late 2nd rnd pick, I doubt they would take anything less than a 1st PLUS ???. Just too much to pay. I am guessing the Bears are just going to have to pick up a couple of day 2 &/or day 3 lottery tickets and pray one pans out.

I agree, mock drafts are entertaining but seldom accurate. However, I will disagree in that I recall a lot of mock drafts last year having us select Floyd. I did a quick "Google" and the first one I brought up had 4 of 8 from NFL.com predicting Floyd as our pick. NFL.com 2016 Mock Draft

Just going off of the stats I see on Fox Sports QB Josh Allen, Wyoming: 1 Full year as starter, 56% Completion Rating 28 TD / 15 INT / 8 FUM Sacked 26 times for -189 yds Never seen him play, stats can be deceiving, but the stat line I noted above does not look good. 26 sacks? Could be a contributing factor, sounds like he didn't have much protection from his OL.