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I read the predraft stuff on him, and he wasnt anyones first round pick - that's all I mean. He definitely is athletic, and anyone can outperform their scouting, but I just need to see it on the field. For example, what I thought of Swift before this season, based on everything I'd ever seen from him before said we would be replacing him this year. But he outplayed his former level, and definitely showed me things id never seen from him before. Surely a rookie who was injured and got no snaps could have an upside. Im not limiting him. Im just saying i wont believe it until i see it. Until then, he's what i said (in my mind) but of course i hope he balls out. Same with Dexter etc. any player that wants to suddenly become a stud is ok with me!

I dont think Jacas will be there at 57 - I think some teams know what hes got.

its funny AZ54, we almost always agree, but on this one, we don't. i think Zion isnt' going to be a productive pass rusher in the NFL. I prefer Gabe Jacas by a lot to be the same kind of player but more successful in the NFL. Time will tell, so it'll be interesting to watch this one unfold, whoever they play for.

Byard had some great INTs. I think in some cases, DA put him in positions to get them, so if some of them were scheme related, we will keep that. But Bryant is a LOT faster than Byard, and hes a very good football player. I think it's a clear upgrade. My 2 cents.

All good points. I think you gotta look at what we have now, assuming everyone is healthy. Defensive Edge Montez Sweat is a decent player. He might be a 10 sack guy. He doesn't put fear in anyone, but he'd be a solid DE2 on most good defenses. Austin Booker is an ascending player. He's not a DE1 terror, but I can't say what he will become. He looks like he has what it takes. Dayo Odeyingbo is a solid running down kind of guy, but he's not going make a QB uncomfortable. Another year of experience for Booker could make this an upgrade over last year. We still need to add a real talent at edge. Sure, Booker could ascend, but it hasnt happened yet, and even if so we still need another player for the rotation. Defensive Tackle Neville Gallamore is a high motor high effort guy who can play nose or 3T. He's not a Pro Bowler, but he's solid, and has good football instincts. Shemar Turner is a high energy guy who could be decent, but is not expected to be great coming out of college. He brings good energy, but he is not expected to be an impact player. Grady Jarrett brings great veteran leadership, but he's slowed with age. He will likely not be an impact player for us. Gervon Dexter is a slow rotational player at best with poor football instincts who gives up on plays too easily. Neville Gallamore is an upgrade over anything we had last year, but still will need to add talent in the middle. Linebackers TJ Edwards has played well for us, and he will continue to be a plus player. He is kinda slow though, so an upgrade for him is coming this year or next. Devin Bush is a fast heat seeking missile. He's OK in coverage, but he plays the run and blitzes at a very high level. He identifies the play quickly and shoots gaps and sheds blocks at an elite level. He and Kyler Gordon will make our blitzes difficult to deal with. Demarco Jackson is an ascending player who has good football IQ. He might have been our best LB last year. Let's see how he does this year. Jack Sandborn is a tough player, but he lacks the necessary speed to stay with receivers, tight ends and some running backs. Probably a backup. Bush is a HUGE upgrade for this unit. We still need another faster player, maybe Hippolyte will learn how to play football, but likely there is a faster replacement for Edwards coming this year or next. Safeties Coby Bryant is an excellent player. He's smart, understands the game and will be a leader on our defense. Great signing. Cam Lewis is good depth, but he's not going to rock anyone's world. Ditto for Hicks and Owens. Bryant brings much needed speed to a unit that had been built for zone defense. We will still need another impact player at safety. Maybe a rookie? Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson was injured for a lot of last year, but many feel he is overpaid and not bringing enough productivity for his price. Hes a good CB, but he's not a top 5 CB. Kyler Gordon, before his injury, was one of the best NB in the league, and is a good chess piece who can play all over the field, and blitz. Tyreek Stephenson is on his way out. He's a decent CB2 sometimes, but his head is not in the game. This may be the last year with us for JJ and Stephenson. JJ might get a cap relieving one year extension, but he is going to want a new deal. Both of these players are decent, and can be expected to play decently this year, but in future plans, both will probably need replacements soon. Overall EDGE - maybe upgrade if Booker ascends. Draft pick likely incoming. DT - upgraded from terrible to OK. Draft pick likely incoming. LB - clear upgrade with Bush, Edwards, Jackson and Sandborn. S - clear upgrade with Bryant, Draft pick likely incoming. CB - no upgrade except people are healthy. Will be decent. So this defense is significantly faster with Bush, Bryant and Gallimore. Those three moves alone, and getting Dexter and Edmunds off the field will greatly improve us from a terrible defense to something better. Getting great with these (or any) players will going to require a real grown up pass rush we don't currently have. We NEED a high level Edge and DT. We also need a safety. Assuming all are addressed in the draft, this defense could be much better than last year. I don't see them being great until the defensive line gets good. High drafted rookies still need time to get accustomed to the NFL game. But we could be a 20th ranked or 15th ranked defense this year based on this roster. If Booker or a rookie catch fire, then better than that. Future plans are going to require CBs, a safety and another LB too. So yes, our defense will be seriously upgraded from last year - but not scary like our offense is. Not yet. Our best chances rely on Booker and good draft picks. All my opinions of course.

totally agree. Stats are misleading.

I read an article saying that we now use the visits to double check things we arent sure about - character stuff, maybe to check stiff hips etc etc - basically, that we dont visit the ones were most likely to take but those where we are missing some info or need to see first hand. IF this is true, then some will get crossed off of our lists based on the visit, and some will stay on, but it doesnt mean we prefer them necessarily. Anyway, thats if you believe the article I read. It's lying season, so anything is possible.

I think the word "value" is throwing people off. The AV is just supposed to be a measure of how good a player is compared to his team. Trying to get that into one stat is foolish in my view, but people love easy numbers they can point to. But given where the discussion has gone, it is a really interesting idea to take the AV (if you have faith in it) and divide it by the cap percentage the player takes up. Then you'd be able to see underpaid and overpaid players. Here's a description of how they get the number: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/about/approximate_value.htm

*Approximate Value - it's just supposed to be an objective view of their overall value, and of course that's a really hard stat to defend since everything is different for each player.

Right, they are all unique players and with different coaches etc. There is no pattern that Wills is stuck in. All I'm saying is I'm not getting too far ahead of myself as far as what I think he can do. I saw some atrocious film on him in Cleveland (before his injury), and there's a reason he's a reclamation project. At camp when we see where he's at, and after the benefit of time with Roushar, then I'll see what I think about him. But right now, I'd say the job is Benedet's. Same with Braxton Jones. If I see something new from him, then great, my opinion of him can change, but based on everything I've seen before, I need to see it before I can believe it. I think it's Benedet and some good competition.

I thought of Leatherwood and a guy from the Rams a few years back too. Both had been highly picked, didnt pan out and came to the Bears for a fresh start, Neither did anything. On the plus side, we didnt have Roushar to develop them then, and also these are cheap lottery tickets. He can pay off even if the others didn't. But I think the lesson here is not to pencil him in as a starter. He's going to have to prove that before anyone can really trust him. We know what we have with Benedet, so a healthy Braxton Jones and this guy will get a full camp to show. In my opinion Jones isn't gonna be the guy. But benedet is the floor, and anything better is an improvement.

yeah, I agree, these draft simulators are just games of course. But maybe Lee Hunter there?

Here's mine. Gets the D line addressed (I know Banks broke his foot, but maybe that means we are lucky and he falls to us int he 2nd round. I'd love Lee Hunter there too) Haulcy would be great for us, and he's likely there at 60. Malik Muhammad is an interesting prospect. Best 10 yard split of any CB. Plays outside. Id love to see what Al Harris can do with him. Bryce Lance is a Ben Johnson special. He's 6' 3" and runs a 4.34 forty. Might have to pick him in the 3rd in the real draft. He played at a smaller school, but he's got all the tools. And then I picked two OL who are good at pass blocking, and are real angry road graders. They can play OT or OG.

Thienman is a real stud. if he's there at 25, it'd be hard not to take him. Both he and Jacas are good enough to take there and neither will be there when we pick again in the 2nd round. If we could do some kind of trade back and still get one of them, that'd be a great move.

I gotta agree.

What I'm guessing here, based on his film, is that teams have Jacas more highly graded than the media says. Like Loveland and Kelvin Banks last year, I think he will go earlier than projected. And I think the Bears could well take him with the first pick. If it helps, the Draftbuzz site has him as like the 60th ranked player, but he never makes it past 45 to us, because of team needs and value/runs on positions when the simulator is run. Maybe we trade down a few spots and then grab him?

All makes sense - I dont really know what kind of DTs DA has favored. Its kind of amazing he never had someone over 6' 2" - that's a pretty specific taste. Good info, thanks.

A lot of these names keep coming up for me too. Especially Haulcy, and one of the three centers that are clustered there. Hecht, Slaughter and Lew. I also agree I dont think Kayden McDonald will be there at 25, but he'd make an excellent pick if he is.

I know the book on Jacas, and if that's all i knew, id agree with you guys. And Im not trying to change your minds either. Im just saying, I saw his film, and he is better than is being said in the normal outlets, just like Loveland. No one has to agree, and maybe in time ill change my mind, but right now, i think he could be the pick.

All true. But Jacas will be there at 25, and I think he's worth it the way Loveland was worth his pick. under the radar for sure, and talking heads will laugh, but I think hes the right one.

Thieneman is an excellent player. A true stud. Unless there is some free agent addition on the DL, I suspect we will draft Illinois DE Gabe Jacas. I know people will say it's too high etc, but this is what i see, at least now here on March 16th. We might also trade the pick down, or trade for an Edge like Cam Jordan.

I always said, he'd make a fine kick returner and gadget play guy. He's excellent when he's running int he open field. But you can have your starting QB take those kind of hits. Hes not good with the passing game. Maybe a one read and run kind of thing, but if he is willing to do something OTHER than play QB, he could be really good for them. I always though of him kinda like Devin Hester. Same homerun ability int he open field, and also doesnt really play his position (WR for Hester, QB for Fields) If he's willing to swallow his pride and use his talent, he can be a great KR and gadget guy.

I appreciate all of it. It looks fine, it'd just be better if the topics on the main page had a bigger font, that's pretty much the only "problem" - but even if nothing changes, thank you for keeping it going.

I come here on a laptop, but if it's better for phones, then good! Thanks very much for keeping the site alive.

Thank you for everything youre doing for the site. I prefer the old look, if that's possible?